Need some advice on frame size
 

Want to buy a Diamondback Clarity 1 for my 15 yr old daughter. My local bike dealer has one for $430. I can get one online for over $100 cheaper...of course I have to put it together. First off, I would love to buy local, but that is too big of a difference IMO. My local bike shop didn't have any Claritys to look at nor ANY Diamondbacks put together. They did have a Jamis x2 Trail mountain bike put together that he had my daughter try for size. It was a men's 19" frame and he said it fit her. She is 5'7" w/ a 31" inseam. I suppose she might grow a bit more, but I kind of doubt much more if any. Anyhow, my dilemma, is what size to get her (it is offered in a 17"/med frame and a 19"/large frame...in woman's). To be honest the bike shop wasn't very helpful in determining what size. And I really don't feel to bad about not getting one from them since they had none to try out or check out, without ordering one blindly anyhow. I looked on this website:
http://www.ebicycles.com/bicycle-tools/frame-sizer
Using this as a guide I am guessing the 19"/Large would be the better choice. What are your thoughts? I want her to use this bike when she goes to college as well. Thanks in advance.

I don't know how reliable it is, but Diamonback's fit calculator gives a Small as first choice and Medium as second choice when those measurements are put into it. Maybe a medium is a better choice than the large even if you think she may grow a bit more.

http://www.diamondback.com/2012-clar...alculator-next

A 17 inch women frame should fit her well. She should be able to ride it for a while, if she does grow some more. It is better to get a bike at a local bike shop. Due to the fact that they can fit you properly with a bike and find what bike suites your riding needs. Plus, usually they will get you a free bike tune up. A normal tune up cost about $50-$70 (depends on where you go). Some LBS employee are a bunch of @holes. If that the case then I will look elsewhere.

I'll be. I didn't even see that calculator on Diamondback's website. And you are right. According to their calculator a medium appears the better fit. Hmmmm.......more confusion.

I don't know how reliable it is either. I'm your daughter's size, and have a similar inseam. I have 3 bikes - a men's medium frame, a women's tall frame, and a road bike that's 54cm. I've been told I have very long femurs, lol. All of my bikes are quite comfortable. This calculator is telling me a small as a first choice. ?

If their bikes are unisex in sizing and the frames run large, then maybe. But you'd be hard pressed to convince me to buy a small...

Boy, now I am leaning towards the 17"/Med frame. I would love to get the bike at our local bike shop, but I really question their knowledge and the price difference seems huge to me. I do realize though that the tuneup could pretty much make up the difference. The next closest Bike shop is 100 miles away. The cost in fuel to drive that distance and back to buy one from them is a factor as well. I just wish the local bike shop also had the bike I wanted assembled so we could fit it to her. Cost of living in the middle of nowhere I suppose.

If you decided to purchase online instead. Don't forget to check out www.bikesdirect.com
Bikes in your range.
Best bang for your bucks, but in pink only. You'll never find a deal like this in a very long time. A retail value when new $900. http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/fuji/absolute_2.htm
This one will be great too. My wife has the same one. http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...fe_latte_x.htm

Either one will probably fit. I'm generally a fan of going with the larger frame if both fit. But your daughter has long legs so reach could be an issue on the 19". There's only so much you can shorten reach with a (shorter) stem. I would advise you to have her sit on the 17" before buying and set the saddle height using the heel lockout method (video below). If the position is comfortable (bars aren't too low relative to the seat) buy the 17". If it's uncomfortable repeat the process on the 19".

Heel Lockout Method (FFWD to 1:40)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrZBjOloChg&feature=youtu.be&t=1m40s