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Old 10-03-22, 08:44 AM
  #10  
Kapusta
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Bikes: Soma Fog Cutter, Surly Wednesday, Canfielld Tilt

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I suggest dropping the focus on standover. Sizing modern MTB bikes using standover is a bad idea, and nobody who understands modern MTB fit well would do so.

Go by the length of the reach and how it feels actually riding it.

Frame size for mtb IS very important, because getting the proper frame reach is very important. At least if you are going to be riding technical terrain. If the bike is for more casual riding or mostly paths and rail-trail stuff then you have more leeway to make adjustments with stems length and such.

At 5’6” you could be a med on some bikes and small on others.

If you do decide to make standover a deciding factor (which is a big mistake, IMO) then look for a model that has standover AND proper reach. Going down a size in a particular model just to get more standover can leave you with too small of a frame for the 99% of the time you are riding it rather than standing over it.

As far as whether to go with the shops rec or the manufacturer’s guide… depends on the shop. Did they have you ride the bike around the parking lot and see how you positioned yourself or did you just sit on it in the shop?

Try searching forums like MTBR (there is a Trek sub-forum there) to see how others sizes up on Roscoes.
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