Rail (750Wh) Trek Rail 7. I'm 182cm, would the XL be OK?

[gjws]

I'm 182cm tall and according to the Trek sizing guide I should go with a large. My local shop has an incredible deal on a Rail 7 (less than half RRP!), but they only have XL left in stock. I took it for a brief ride on the street and it felt OK, but obviously I didn't get a chance to ride it offroad. Do you guys think I could get away with the XL at my height?

 

[JP-NZ]

I'm 182cm tall and according to the Trek sizing guide I should go with a large. My local shop has an incredible deal on a Rail 7 (less than half RRP!), but they only have XL left in stock. I took it for a brief ride on the street and it felt OK, but obviously I didn't get a chance to ride it offroad. Do you guys think I could get away with the XL at my height?

What size reach do you prefer? Or what is the reach of your current bike?

 

[gjws]

What size reach do you prefer? Or what is the reach of your current bike?

I don't have a current bike
I've ridden dirt bikes all my life, this will be my first ever mountain bike so unfortunately I have zero experience to call on! I live in the High Country, so my tracks are mostly flowy singles with a few logs and roots here and there nothing crazy if that helps!

 

[JP-NZ]

Rail 7 has reach around 499-493mm so you should be okay at 182cm. You can only try it but you have done that and seemed okay so go for it.

Trek's recommendations are just guidelines

 

[Plummet]

I would say no, don't buy it. Get the correct size which will be a size large. Its a lot of cash. You might as well buy the correct size. The wrong size bike will be there long after the enjoyment of cheaper price has been forgotten.

With E bikes if in doubt downsize. They are heavy and stable and you dont need to make them more stable by buying one thats longer than optimal.

At 180cm I role with a size medium because i like a more maneuverable bike. I too should be on a large according to the recommendation but i say no!. Give me the faster handling bike. Noting that I come from and still do mountain bike with lighter faster handling bikes.

With that said, as you are a moto guy and have zero mtb experience you wont know the difference if it is too big or not. It will feel light and maneuverable by comparison to a moto.

 

[gjws]

I would say no, don't buy it. Get the correct size which will be a size large. Its a lot of cash. You might as well buy the correct size. The wrong size bike will be there long after the enjoyment of cheaper price has been forgotten.

With E bikes if in doubt downsize. They are heavy and stable and you dont need to make them more stable by buying one thats longer than optimal.

At 180cm I role with a size medium because i like a more maneuverable bike. I too should be on a large according to the recommendation but i say no!. Give me the faster handling bike. Noting that I come from and still do mountain bike with lighter faster handling bikes.

With that said, as you are a moto guy and have zero mtb experience you wont know the difference if it is too big or not. It will feel light and maneuverable by comparison to a moto.

Thanks mate, that's super helpful. I ride a smaller dirt bike (250cc) specifically because it feels more "flickable" than the larger models, even though it means more changing gears as you can't rely on pure torque, so I understand what you're saying.