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Has anyone had to make the decision? I know the best answer is to sit on them but just looking for any ideas that may help a decision, particularly as there are probably benefits to either option, although I don't really know what they are. I'm 5'10" so right on the upper limit of a Medium and just into a Large. In an ideal world I'll also be able to re-use a 170mm Tellis dropper I took off the Phase if at all possible.
Some background, for the past 3 years or so I've been riding a Medium 2017 Mondraker eCrafty and always felt the need to 'stretch out' on it to ease my back (so probably needed a longer reach), since switching to a size L Orange Phase MX it feels much better.
I've decided I 'need' a gravel bike as something I can just nip about on, ride Peak disused railways with my wife, take it on holiday etc. In my head I'd be blasting about in the woods and going on multi day bikepacking trips etc but in reality it's probably because I started down the thought process and there's no going back usually. Also makes sense to buy 'something' on cycle 2 work and I don't really think I'm up for riding a normal MTB as all routes from the house involve some long and steep hills and I'd stopped riding my old YT Wicked 160 as a result as the slog took most of the time I usually had available whereas on the eeb I get maximum fun but do feel I should be doing some unassisted miles on a lighter bike and at times when the trails are filthy and I can't be bothered with the faff of cleaning myself or the bike
I’m 5’10” and have a large Camino. There’s no way I’d be able to fit a 170mm dropper. I have 32” inside leg.
I wish I’d gone medium though. I find the stretch on the large too much despite fitting a shorter stem. However a long term back injury isn’t helping that. It’s definitely more of a stretch than my road bike.
The only pic I could find
Just under 5'10 and I went medium with a +10mm stem. Didn't want to muck with the handling too much but my knees are still a bit close to the bars on our the saddle efforts for my liking.
Not sure different geo would sort this without going longer on TT etc but I think if your buying new a demo would be wise.
I went medium as my previous large Boardman was a bit unwieldy on rougher terrain at times but it was still a great fit and right and a lot of the time.
I'm 5' 9.5", mine is a medium. Large would definitely be too big for me.
5ft10, medium Camino here. No way I'd be on a large... and using a 170mm dropper is absolute fantasy!
Awesome, thanks all. I guess I can always add a longer stem / bar reach if absolutely necessary vs getting a Large any smaller. The 170mm dropper is definitely a case of 'because I could' vs knowing I need to 🙂
Thoughts on droppers / gravel bikes in general?
Yes having just checked the geometry chart it's huge for a large, 592 effective to tube, usually you would expect that to be about 560ish. Head tube also long at 19 which isn't the worst thing for being upright for you with the back etc but the length would be a stretch for me and I'm 6 foot. And like an ett around 565ish.
Definitely a medium all day long for you.