I’m 5’7. Kind of on the cusp of small/medium. I went to two bike shops and one said I should go for the trance x 2 because it’s available in medium and I’ll like the longer reach. The other said I should be on a small based on giants guidelines and to choose based on if I prefer 27.5 or 29. I’m in Texas so trails are mild and being shorter I feel 27.5 would probably be better for me. But I’d like to hear from other riders around my height on small or medium and 27.5 or 29. The one benefit I do see to the 29 is it has a fox 36 performance over the 27.5 having a fox 36 rhythm.
by Warm_Kale_2439
4 Comments
Being uncomfortable on a bike is no fun. Too big, and it won’t feel agile/playful. Too small, and you will get cramped quickly. Have you been to a bike store to ride the bikes, at least around the parking lot? I’m not sure what part of Texas you are in, but there are a few Giant dealers in North Texas or Bike Mart is a great place to test.
I will say that I’m pretty sure you will want the medium frame. When you get into the wider tires on the 27.5, the overall height is nearly the same as a skinnier 29″, so you might take that into consideration. My son (5’5-6ish’) comfortably rides my large frame 29″ hardtail, even though it is too large for him. I had to throw some skinnier bars on there, but he likes it much more than my wife’s small sized bike.
Unfortunately, test riding is really the only way to be sure. I’m 5’6″ and prefer a longer reach, so I went for a medium vs small in SC 5010 and Nomad. Looking at the numbers, there’s no way I’d want to be on a small Trance X.
27.5 vs 29 is also personal feel, but I used to ride a 27.5 and now my bikes are mullets. I also really liked the 29″ Yeti I tried out, but did not enjoy either the 27.5″ Pivot Shadowcat or the full 29″ SC Hightower. If you are set on these bikes, my vote would be a medium 29″.
Sorry, I won’t be able to provide any advice for bike fit, but damn that hematite colorway is sexy.
I’m 5’7 and have ridden a medium in three different brands of bikes. I’ve ridden a buddies large Ripmo when my bike was out of commission. A small feels way too cramped for me personally.