I went to my lbs and got sized for a 58cm Felt F75 (I'm 6 foot with a 32/33in inseam). Really nice bike, but decided its not what I need (an all arounder... looking at a surly cross check or pacer).

The guy knew what he was doing, had me looking to see if the handlebars blocked my view of the front hub, shifted my seat around, hung plumb bobs from my knees, but I still felt REALLY raked out. I'm coming from riding mountain bikes and I'm just not used to the feeling yet, but I'm wondering if shooting for a slightly smaller frame would be a huge mistake? I'm going to be doing a lot of commuting/city riding and I think moving down to a 56cm frame would put me a little more upright. From reading the geometry specs on the pacers I've been looking at, their top tubes are slightly longer as well...

Or is this such a minor difference that I could be riding anything in that range?

We're almost the same size and I ride a 58, 59 or even a 60 cm (my crosscheck is a 60cm). I wouldn't get a 56.

There is no such thing a "perfect fit" every person fits a bike a bit differently. It may be that the new postion is a bit strange for you. I have a tendecy to ride frames that are a bit short in the top tube and use a slightly longer stem to compensate. But I also ride with my saddle further back than "normal". I can set a bike up the way it is "supposed" to be set up and not like it, until I tweak it to where I want it. Read Peter White's (http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm) article on how to fit a bicycle. Lot of good information in there.

Aaron:)

Just remember to put your pannier on the left side in the southern hemisphere, and on the right side in the northern hemisphere.

Get the size that the lbs fit you on. If you switch frames, get one with the same size effective top tube. You'll get used to the road fit and appreciate it once you get some miles in.