Help sizing a 1991 trek 7000 aluminium please!

[Stormylolol]

Hello all,

I am looking at obtaining an old hardtail as a pub bike and gravel hack which may or may not get a drop bar conversion when I’m bored in summer.

The trek 7000 series seems like a great candidate and I found this one quite nearby.
I’ve identified it as a 1991 model trek 7000 and the catalogues state this came in sizes including 16.5” and 18”, but no 17”. I’m a bit confused now as most of the research I’ve done says a man of my height (5ft10/179cm) should be on a 17” frame ideally.
Am I right in thinking that realistically either of these sizes might fit as I’m not looking to be riding anything gnarly on it? The last mtb I owned was a kona nunu half my lifetime ago and I’m really clueless with the mtb sizing.
I want to say it looks like a 16.5” rather than 18” but considering the last sentence, my thought has as much integrity as a matchstick house…

Here’s a picture of the frame - if anybody has any advice/experience and/or can estimate as to whether it would be worth going to have a look based on pictures I would be very grateful!

 

[Carge]

At 5'10" I'd go for the smaller frame if I had the choice - but if you're riding this as a pub bike - a lower saddle is no issue and probably easier to get on/off after a few jars.
I'd say this is an 18"

 

[Stormylolol]

At 5'10" I'd go for the smaller frame if I had the choice - but if you're riding this as a pub bike - a lower saddle is no issue and probably easier to get on/off after a few jars.
I'd say this is an 18"

Thanks for the response, I asked the seller but he’s not sure so I think I’ll leave it and wait for something that is a better match long term.

Cheers

 

[Prodigal Son]

You should ride a 19 in.

 

[Carge]

That’s something of a generalisation.
I can ride a 19” - but a 17” feels better.
It depends on your proportions - shorter legs/longer body don’t necessarily like a 19”

 

[Prodigal Son]

That’s something of a generalisation.
I can ride a 19” - but a 17” feels better.
It depends on your proportions - shorter legs/longer body don’t necessarily like a 19”

Yes, generally speaking, a 5ft10 guy should ride a 19/20in Trek 7000.

 

[27motorhead]

I had this exact bike as a training bike in the mid-to-late 90s. I'm 5' 7" and had the 18" size which was a good fit as some 16" frames can be too compact in terms of reach. The bike looks like a 18" to me as there's not much slope on the top tube, but the picture is taken from the worst angle possible! That bike also looks fully original!

Here's my old listing from 10 years ago!!!
https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/1991-trek-7000-18-£50-collected-sold.272573/#post-2038063
That seatpost height is set for me, but I think my legs are quite long for a shortie!

Nice super-neutral handling bike for a 90s machine.

If you're looking at doing a drop-bar conversion you'd want to go bigger as the saddle to handlebar drop is exaggerated and none of us are getting any more flexible as we age...