Mountain bike that can be used by 5'3 and 5'11 riders?

Herzlos

I was looking for some advice before i start visiting bike shops.
I'm looking to get a new mountain bike for off-road stuff (I've got a hybrid for road use), and a bike for my wife to use with me. From a cost and space saving it seems like getting a bike that we can both use would be ideal, since I don't mind adjusting it between uses. We essentially do this with a 20" wheel folding bike at the moment.
Unfortunately I'm taller (5'11.5 vs 5'3) so going by the size guides I need a large and she needs a small.
So is it likely to be possible? Can i get away with a smaller bike and seat/handles at full extension whilst she has them at the bottom?

Norman_Castle

I suspect you would both need to try bikes for size. Having individual seat posts and saddles might be an option. Yours longer and possibly set back and hers having the saddle moved forward.

wongataa

You won't get a bike that can be used comfortably by two people with such a difference in heights.  It might be just about possible in a pinch with a size in between but you would have to swap stems, seat posts, possibly handlebars when you changed rider so it would be a right hassle and yo would still be riding a sub optimal bike.

inspectorperez

I would go along with previous poster's advice.

You might be better off looking at better storage solutions to accomodate 2 extra bikes. I attached sturdy wood batons to my garage walls which allow strong bike hooks to be attached. My family's bikes all hang from these no trouble. Bit of care when lifting down or replacing is all that is needed.

fenwick458

i'd say you can compromise a bit on the handling by simply adjusting the seat(up/down and forwards/backwards) and fitting a different length stem between rides? 
mountain bike geometry has changed so much over the past 5 years, the "height"size guides are a load of rubbish in my opinion it depends a lot on your strength/flexibilty and ability to move on the bike. the trend seems top be lower, longer bikes with bigger wheels. if you look at XL frames from 5 years ago, then would be classed as a medium frame now....