BeachRPh

Hello all!
I am in the market to buy my first hybrid bike. I have looked at Trek 7.2fx, Specialized Cirrus, and Giant Escape 2 and am leaning towards the Giant based on test riding all of them. My confusion is about sizing. I was able to test ride a medium size in the Escape 2 and it seemed to fit OK, although the standover height was a little snug. According to the sizing chart on Giant's site at 5'5" I actually should be riding a small. The difference in the standover height is only 0.4 inches. I have no problem having the LBS order the small, but am confused as to what exact difference it might make?

Thanks in advance.

Dave

Daddy Wags

According to the Giant sizing chart at 6' 2" I should be riding a Large Escape. I found the XL to be a better size for me. Nothing like actually riding different size bikes to help you decide. Also, seat and handlebar adjustments can be significant in bike comfort.

mrodgers

Edit: I guess the question should be asked, what experience do you have riding? What did the LBS say about the size? If you are new, many new folks think that sizing is the ability to put your feet flat on the ground while staying on the saddle. That would be wrong, you want your leg to almost be fully extended when at the bottom of the pedal stroke while seated on the saddle. Also with the angled top tube of most hybrid bikes, it's a tough way to see if the bike is the right size.


I'm 5' 7ish and I am on a small Escape. I'll say that I do have my seat way up compared to most pictures I see here in the forums. I don't have any issues with the small other than I think my seat is way too high. The handle bar reach seems fine to me, but I'm not an expert or remotely knowledgeable in fit. Love my Escape.

Here's a shot of mine. I've recently even pulled the seat height up another 5 mm since this. I don't think I could go any higher. I think I have about 3 inches down in the seat tube.

mwl001

I bought a Roam 2 in M, I'm 5'8". The standover was snug for me too, but I just liked the geometry of the Roam frame better compared to offerings from Specialized and Trek. Didn't end up trying a small until after I bought my bike, but the standover height was only marginally better and that geometry felt "tight" to me. So I'm guessing it's not rare that you noticed this. I would say it's only important if you feel it's a safety concern for you. You'll be riding the bike much more often than standing over it, so I'd base my decision on riding comfort, then if you feel the standover is just not acceptable move on to another frame. Good luck!

Little Darwin

I bought my large 2013 Giant Sedona DX, and my tender bits are extremely close to the top bar (I am 6') When I went in, based on stand-over I thought medium would be good, but I am glad the shop owner talked me into what I got. I have never cracked my testicles, and the bike is very comfortable for me to ride.

If you think about it, when you come to a stop, you rarely/never come down flat on both feet, and if you somehow slide off the saddle, a lower top tube only gives you an extra inch or two to gain speed before the crunching begins. And while mounting, I throw a leg around the back and put it on the pedal, so other than when I am standing over the bike during a short rest my jewels are quite a way from the bar. I think most of us are paranoid (based on memories of pain) but are pretty safe without any issues with a top tube that is close to us.

Hornplayer

I would not pay that much attention to stand over height. The frame size that works for you is the most important. Whether you might need a size larger or smaller than the chart is a function of leg to torso length ratio and riding position. I chart to a M in Giant also, but when I bought my current road bike I ended up with a M/L with a slightly shorter stem.


Did anyone at the LBS look at your position on the Medium?

badger1

In my opinion, your saddle height looks just right considered in relation to most of the images I see posted on this board. Most modern bikes, including yours, use some variation on compact frame geometry; one expects to have (or to see) somewhere between 6 to 9 inches of seat post showing (double-entendre not intended!) -- depending on the specific frame. Less (as is often the case in the photos one sees here) suggests too large a frame OR an improperly set saddle height; more, too small a frame.

Blizzie

Go to your LBS and try out both the small and medium sizes. Ask them to watch your back positioning when you ride both and see what they thinks fits you better. With that information and how you feel when riding the bike, you can better pick the one better suited for you.

I picked up a Giant Escape 3 a few weeks ago and went with the medium size being 5'8. I even moved the saddle forward a bit since I found myself sliding off and wanting to get closer to the front.

practical

Stand over height is one consideration - but if most of your height is in your trunk, you may want to go with a larger size because odds are your arms are longer in relation to the rest of you body. So pay attention to your reach as well.

themishmosh

I hear a lot about test riding bikes and picking what feels best for you. Problem is, unless you are a an experienced bicyclist, this oft recommended tip won't work. Since when does a bike shop take the time to custom fit a bike to fit you? They may adjust the seat height but that's about it. What fits you is totally arbitrary to the particular setup these bikes happen to be in. My tip is, unless you know your body varies from average (ie. short/long legs, short/long upper body, etc) or are particular about either being fully upright or stretched out on a bike, follow the manufacturer guidelines. If you are close to a larger size, pick the larger size.

mrodgers

That was my experience. He had a leftover 2013 that he had me stand over and deemed that I needed a small. He actually told me that just by looking at me when I walked in. That was the extent of my bike fit. When my bike came in, I even had to ask for a hex so I could adjust the seat up to take it for a spin in the parking lot. That brings up the other thing, test riding. All i could do was spin around in the small parking lot.


Thanks for your opinion. I have no clue on how a bike is suppose to fit. I thought I had an awful lot of seat post. The rest of the bike, I am very comfortable. I'm ready to either flip the stem or take out a few spacers too. I just haven't gotten around to it yet.

MissDaisy

So very true and I wish I'd had that awareness when I started my bike shopping. I'm 5'10" with long legs (33 inseam) and it has been a challenge to find a fit. The bike shops either say 'whatever feels right' or they try to convince cycling newbies that whatever they have in stock will be just fine. And they seem to fit people to bikes that are too small. I like the Giant frame - it tends to run large. For me, a large in the women's is spot on. I did purchase a Trek 7.2 in the 19" women's and I'm thinking it is just too small - I plan to increase the stem length and I've already put the seat all the way back. If I raise the seat any higher, I will be higher than the bars. I'm not sure at what point it isn't possible to "make" the bike fit....

Blizzie

When I bought my first bike they let me take out and try a few bikes over and over as I was trying to see which was more comfortable. When I was doing that, they were outside watching how I ride and gave me suggestions on fit. I've also seen them go on test rides with customers and teaching them how to shift gears, etc. At no point were they pressuring me to buy anything and were really patience with all my questions and concerns.

I guess it really depends on your LBS. The OP should still give it a shot.

themishmosh

Kudos to your bike shop. Most will not do that.

simplybao

I'm 5'6" (on a good day with the right shoes on ). I got my Giant in a small. Ride them all and whichever one is most comfortable, that that one. But I will add that you won't truly know until you've gotten to put some miles on it. I've changed just about everything on my bike. From stems/bars/seatposts to shifters/and deraileurs. It's perfect now. You don't have to do this, I did because I enjoy fiddling with the bike. The bike was fine from the start except I felt like I was sitting too far back. A change to a seatpost with no setback fixed that right away, but I changed the rest of it for too many other reasons....

For comparison, my partner rides an FX 7.4 in a medium sized frame. He's 5'10. But when I ride his bike, it feels great to me. The standover height is about the same as my Giant, but the top tube is shorter but the stem on his bike is longer. I run a 90mm with a 10 deg. rise. His stem is 100 mm with an 18 deg. rise.

evivbulgroz

Gorgeous picture. Where in PA is this? It looks like Vancouver Island.

Regarding size, I was hesitating between Medium and Large (I'm 5"11). While I was comfortable enough riding a large, I ended up going for a medium (Fuji, but I did tried the escapes as well, and the frame heights are similar). There just was no clearance with the Large size (21"). With the medium (19") I have a couple of inches... I figured with in-town traffic it could be safer. Two different LBS agreed. TREK has a 20" frame, and I would have gone for that one if I had decided to buy the Trek 7.x.

Who Dey3334

I am 5'7" with a 30" inseam and I have a giant defy 2 and a cypress DX that are both small size frames. I also have a Specialized Sirrus Comp and the frame size on it is a medium. The Giant frames seem to be a little different than other bikes for some reason.

mrodgers

Lake Arthur at Moraine State Park, about an hour or so above Pittsburgh. This is on the bike trail.

DEW21

5' 6" with 29.5" inseam and got the Giant Escape 2 in a medium and glad I did, fits me just right. One worker at the LBS said small frame and the owner said medium. I chose the medium.

BeachRPh

Thanks for all the advice! Going to LBS today to pick one out. They have a 2013 Escape 1 in a small that I am going to look at. If it fits me I would be able to get more bike than I thought I could afford. If it does not I will get a medium Escape 2 most likely. Comfort and correct sizing is more important to me than just saving a few bucks. Will post more after I get back from the LBS.

mrodgers

EDIT: Never mind, might have been a 2012 the shop had that was different than 2013 and 2014...

Note, when I was looking, the shop had a 2013 Escape 1 and the specs showed the same as the 2014 Escape 2 if I'm not mistaken. I recall it having an 8 sp cassette and aluminum fork vs. 9 sp and carbon fork of the 2014. Compare the specs and price before buying. Would hate for it to be a good discount vs. 2014 Escape 1 but end up same spec but cost more than a 14 Escape 2.

I recall it having SRAM shifters as well on the 2013 which I just didn't like the trigger configuration vs. Shimano.

Alicia4065

I have a 2015 Escape 3 in large and I'm 5'5" fits me fine

NormanF

Our height and inseam is the same and on some hybrids we ride small and on others medium. Giant makes its Escape frame quite large so you have to step down from your usual size to get the perfect fit.

BeachRPh

I bought a 2014 Escape 2 city and am having them remove the fenders, paying a little more, but I love how it rides. Will post pics after I pick it up.