Getting my first cross bike

[Ophidian]

Ok I'm order my first cross bike tomorrow and was wondering on size. My road size is 56cm top tube with a 100mm stem. I have 2 choices a 54.5cm top tube with a 110mm stem or a 56cm with a 120mm stem. I'm thinking the 56 and get a shorter stem as the headtube on the 54 is 4cm shorter then my road so I think it might be hard to raise my bars to it's proper height as the 56 headtube is only 2.5 cm shorter. Any opinions?

[rodri9o]

In general, I feel the cross bike should have a slightly shorter reach than a road bike, and a stem thats not too long for weird handling, but it's personal preference. On my road bike to my cross bike, there is about a 1.5cm difference on the top tubes (the cross bike is a sloping top tube, thats why I say about), and the stems are the same: 100mm (10 cm)

I would go for the 54, but I would rather see you on the bike before making the decision.
What road bike do you have, and how does the frame geometry compare? seat angle, head angle, BB height...is the cross bikes top tube level?

[Ophidian]

My road is compact so a 50 c-c seat tube. The cross is a sloping top tube and the geometry is the very close to each other. I'm going to try a different brand at my work tomorrow same size 54.5 and see how it fits. I mainly want to know whats the norm for a cross bike compare to a road.

[rodri9o]

generally the reach is slightly shorter since you normally sit a little more upright, but not necessarily.

^^does that make any sense?

[Ophidian]

Yes it does. Thanks.