Originally Posted by
Leisesturm
The seat tube length on either bike is irrelevant as to your fit. My wife is also 5'6". We just bought a tandem and the seattube of her compartment is 14.5". The seattube on the tandem we already have is 16". On both bikes the seat is set to be 25.5" above the bottom bracket center. There is thus more seat tube extended on the smaller bike, not a problem there is plenty left! Both bikes allow the handlebar to be moved closer or further away to determine how far forward she has to reach. On your Nashbar that is the only adjustment that could not easily be changed. But it could have been changed. I suspect you sit way too low in order to be close to the ground. This bends your knees acutely and brings them close to the handlebar. I don't know this for sure which is why you need to buy your bike from somewhere local. They won't be impressed by being asked to assemble a bike you've bought online. They'll do it, but let them actually sell you a bike and they'll do a whole lot more.
Thanks. I had to change my username because this site keeps locking me out and not allowing me to login using current username.
I appreciate your response. Being in the middle of sizes was my issue. I just should have gone up in size instead of ordering the smaller bike.
I have already looked at local bike shops in my area and the bikes are expensive. I'm not spending over $500 on a bike which is why I ordered online hoping to get a little better than going the Walmart route.
Bike is 25% off today only so might go ahead and order. If the 17" is larger, then it should work and if it doesn't by assembly, I'll do the adjustments on that one.
I do think the bike shop guy would have offered more help with sizing had he not been so busy when I was there. He was alone and phone ringing off the hook and people in the shop. No excuse but still he was busy.