Frame Size Question??

[mlvenan]

Hi. I just bought a Trek 7.2 FX WSD bike, which I'm pretty happy with. When I went to the first bike store, the salesman pulled out a 15", and after raising the seat a bit, he thought I might be happier with the 17". So, he bought down a 17". but in the 7.6 WSD model. I definitely seemed to like that a little better, and we did move the seat forward on it to help with the reach (I wanted to sit upright as much as possible). Unfortunately, they couldn't get the 17" in the 7.2 model.

So, I went to another bike store where I was able to ride both the 17" and 15" in the 7.2 WSD model. Again, I like the 17" better, so I bought it. Now, I do have about an inch of stand over clearance on the 17" when I have tennis shoes on (I'm 5'4"). My seat post is pulled out about .5 inches on the 17" frame.

After riding the bike twice for about 30 minutes each time, I'm noticing a little bit of elbow pain. My elbows are not locked when riding, but they have very little bend in them. I'm worried that maybe i should have gotten the 15". My first thought was to move the seat forward to help, but the guy at the bike store said that will affect the knee position and that the pain is from just not having ridden a bike in a few years.

So, any ideas as to if I should take the bike back? I'm tired of obsessing about it. Will the elbow pain go away? (Again, just a little ache, not a sharp pain).

Thanks!

[Tuckervill]

Your seat post only shows half an inch? I'd say that bike is probably too big. Take it back in and see if they'll work with you on it.

Karen

[KnottedYet]

Your seat post only shows half an inch? I'd say that bike is probably too big. Take it back in and see if they'll work with you on it.

Karen

Really? Only 1/2 inch? Wow.

+1 to what Tuckerville said.

[Zen]

That bike is too big for you.
I have a 13 inch 7.2.
I'm 5'2" and it fits great.

[KnottedYet]

If your goal is to be "as upright as possible" you will likely be happier buying a frame that fits you and having the shop switch out the stem for a taller one, rather than getting a frame that is too big for you and dropping the saddle.

(the "upright" feeling you like is the relationship between the saddle and the bars. If you raise the bars on a frame that fits, or if you drop the saddle on one that doesn't; in either case you are setting the relationship such that the bars are higher relative to the saddle. The problem comes along when you have a frame too big and you end up with a too-long reach. Too much distance between the bars and the saddle. Now you get all kinds of other problems. And the shop is right, moving the saddle forward to correct a too long reach on a too large frame is a recipe for misery.)

[mlvenan]

Well, I took the bike back to the stoer and they looked at me on it as well as on the 15". And, both people agreed that the 17" was better and the 15" was too small. Oddly, the 15" did not fix the reach problem. So, I've now had 4 different bike people (from two different stores) tell me the 17" was the better frame, so I guess I'll trust them.

[alpinerabbit]

With all these discussions, pictures would help.

[KnottedYet]

No, the 15" as it was in the shop wouldn't fix your reach discomfort, because the bars would still be lower than your body wants them. The only way the 15" would feel right to your body is if they put on a taller stem, sort of like bringing the bars up to the same relative (and comfortable) height as they were on the 17". What might feel different on the smaller frame/taller stem is that you'd have the bar height and weight distribution your body likes without having to lock your elbows to reach it, and without feeling like you want to slide the saddle forward. Did the shop measure your upper arm to torso angle on both bikes? Torso to horizontal? Did they do the plumb-line from your knee to the pedal spindle when they set up your saddle?

Pictures would really be good.

Is your seat post really only 1/2 inch out of the seat tube?

Edit to add: If you love the bike, don't worry about the size. Ride lots, get strong, feel the bike love. But a couple months down the road, if you still feel like you can't bend your elbows and you still feel like you want to slide the saddle forward, ask your shop for some help. There are lots of ways to tweak fit.

[OakLeaf]

There's another possible answer why the seat height is so low... it's just too low? I wouldn't think a LBS would let you out of the shop that way, but you see SO many people riding with their knees up around their waist, that you just never know.

When you're riding - or sitting on the saddle on a trainer or leaning against the wall with both feet on the pedals - how much is your knee bent at the bottom of the pedal stroke? It should be a little, but not much.

[Zen]

When I bought my 7.2 I had a sore neck and shoulders after the first ride.
Like you, I considered raising the handlebars. After more riding and being aware of my posture I'm fine.

I love this bike.

[mlvenan]

Hi. Thanks for all the advice and suggestions. I went to another bike store and talked to someone, and I think what I might do it to change out the handlebar stem (which is currently a 100mm length). So, maybe going to something like an 80mm will help with the reach issue. Besides that, I love the bike! (Oh, and the seat post is really out an inch if you include the reflector).