Ok, so I'm looking to buy a 19" coda sport online but I'm a little stumped on sizing. I recently went to a trek store and the guy had me get on a 7.5fx bike and after raising the seat 3 or 4 times he said a 20" would work. After thinking it over a few weeks, I decided I might like a coda sport or coda comp better. I have read that a 20" trek is comparable to a 19" coda so I thought I was set on sizing. However, I found a few websites suggesting putting the spine of a book against your crotch and measuring to the ground. After doing this, I got about 33.25" which would suggest a much larger frame. I'm about 5'10 and in most threads I've read, people 5'8 to 5'11 are usually riding 19" jamis bikes. I will mention that I had scoliosis surgery at 16 so that may somewhat explain the long leg length at my height (the curvature probably takes 1.5-2" off the length of my upper body). So do you think a 19" would work or should I get a bigger frame?

Edit - not sure if it matters but the 33.25" is without shoes. I wear running sneakers so about 34.25 with shoes.

I got the Jamis Coda Sport in a 21" and I'm about 6' with 32" in seam and it fits perfectly. The 19" was little too small for me.

I use that technique to come up with the maximum standover height that I can tolerate. Then I look at top-tube length. For example: Jamis had some models that interested me last year, but when I went to large enough frame size to get the top tube length I wanted, the standover height was greater than my inseam measured using the above method. So I looked elsewhere.

In other words, I use the standover as a secondary item, not as my primary guide in sizing.

From what you have written I think a 19" might be too small. However, the best way to find out is try one. One sign it is too small is if you run out of extension for the seat and handlebars.

I'm also 6 ft. 0", with a 32 inch inseam and ride a 21 inch framed 2012 Coda Sport and I feel it "fit's" overall very well. I have a 19 inch. 2011 Allegro 1, I turned into a "non-suspension" dual sport and I like the "more room" when riding dirt trails/paths and fire roads, jmho, ymmv.

I appreciate the advice/comments.

I rode the 20" 7.2fx today and I didn't have any problems with it. With the seat jacked up my legs seemed to be in the proper position (slight bend in knee). I also stood over the 22.5" and had a little over an inch of clearance, however it felt like a pretty big bike whereas the 20" seemed like it would be more agile. The 22.5 was a little too close to the boys for my liking but that could be due to me probably never having a properly sized bike.

I believe I will just go with the 19" '2010 coda sport from bicyclwbananas. It seems to be the same size as the 20" trek...I'm 90% sure it will be fine. With deore stuff for $440 and no tax, I'm almost certain I could easily resale it for little to no loss if I had to have a bigger bike.

I will be doing a little dirt trail/light gravel riding so I'm thinking having about 2.5" between the frame and my crotch will be better.

I'm 5ft10 and I ride a 19. A 19-20 inch would be a good fit.