lowBattery

Hi, I'm new to the forums and back to riding a bike after 20 years.

I purchased a Trek Dual Sport 2 in small since the stores here are all sold out of medium. Medium is the correct size for me. I have a herniated disc and was wondering if riding size small with the seat raised higher will be an issue? Will adding a stem raiser help?

Thank you in advance.

katsup

Did the bike shop recommend that? Are you between sizes or are you a solid medium?

Getting a wrong size bike to fit can be a challenge, and it may never feel right. Maybe they have an alternative bike in medium available, like a Trek FX.

MarcusT

There are some fixes, but not always the best; raising the saddle, getting longer stem, but it's a risk. Be very picky, if this bike will be your primary.

GlennR

Would you buy shoes in a "small" if "medium" was sold out?

Too small or too large have their downsides. And "making" them fit is a poor fix.

JVG

Depends on you and bike really , on charts I'm supposed to ride a 56 but I actually prefer a 54 or have even owned a 52 before. Where is it small ? Length , height ?

GeezyRider 

Personally, for me, myself and I only, that bike's top tube slopes dramatically and I would be more comfortable moving UP one size then down a size. Trek's geometry specs guide me in this direction as well.

lowBattery

Thanks for the feedback. Actually I was more interested in the Dual Sport 2. I found another store that has the FX 2 in medium. Since I have yet to pick up the bike, I will try to get them to change the order.

I tried to post the link to the bike specs, but since I'm new, not allowed to post links.

My main concern was my back. Could it cause lower back injury?

MRT2

You need to get a bike that fits. Years ago, I rode a Bianchi hybrid in size medium. It never fit quite right and riding for more than an hour or two, I tended to have neck pain. About 8 years ago, I bought my current bike. At first it seemed big compared to the Bianchi, but I adjusted to it and you know what I don't get anymore? No more neck pain.

StarBiker

^
What he said. Buying the wrong size bake?

lowBattery

I tried the small with the seats raised and didn't have any issues. I knees didn't hit anything. Even with the seat at the original position the bike felt comfortable except the person at the store told me that my knees were bent more when the pedal was at the bottom. So then he raised the seat and I tried it again except this time I was a bit more bent but it was not uncomfortable. I figured I could always add the stem the raise the handle bars if needed. I plan on riding it on a bike path for maybe an hour a day for 3-4 days a week.

Tried calling the shop to cancel the order (since my bike has not been assembled) so that I can place the FX 2 in medium at another of their location, but they aren't picking up the phones. I have emailed them and I hope they can cancel it before they open the box.

Again, I appreciate all the feeback

MRT2

You never mentioned how tall you are.

Arthur Peabody

Your butt goes on the seat, your feet on the pedals, your hands on the handlebars. All 3 can be adjusted for too-small a frame. (How a guy adjusted for too-large a frame, I can't imagine.) The smaller the frame, the stronger. I buy the size smaller and get parts swapped out for longer so I can adjust.

MRT2

I don't even know what this means. . Trying to adjust a too small frame is almost as bad as going with a too large frame. I know because I rode a too small frame for years but didn't realize it until I got a frame that fit me,. Yes, you can get an extra long seatpost and long stem to get the bars higher and further away, but then that puts your hands too far forward. If that is all you have, then you make it work, but if you are buying something new, go with what fits to begin with.

lowBattery

I am 5 8"

MRT2

No way a small sized bike can be made to fit. I know, everybody is built differently, but I would say a small sized frame is for someone 5'5" or shorter. At 5'8" you are a medium.

Shame on the folks at the bike shop pushing product out the door that is a poor fit. take your business elsewhere.

From Trek's website. In the DS line, the small is for someone 5'1 to 5'5" , the medium is for someone 5'6" to 5'9", and the large is for someone 5'9" to 6'1". So the store that sold you the bike is either greed or incompetent.
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/b...ort-2/p/23067/

Camilo

I agree. Don't accept the bike. Go to whatever shop has abike with the features you want in the correct size. Size trumps everything else. Look beyond one or two popular brands.

Arthur Peabody

Too far forward of what?

lowBattery

I managed to contact the store manager and they are going to make things right and give me a bike in medium. Thank you everyone for all your help.