Cyclocross - Bianchi Axis 2007 Frame run large?

Does anyone feel that their Bianchi Axis frame runs large? Or I guess, the standover height is rather tall for the size of the frame? I have a 55 road bike and a 55 Steel fixed gear and they are perfect fits (even with the non-sloping top tube on my track bike) I am trying to find a deal on an 07' cross bike.

I was on a 52 Bianchi Axis today and the fit felt OK, but I'm not sure how to fit a cross bike vs road/track geometry. As an adult I have never owned any frame smaller than 55, I even had a 56 for a while.

Do most Cross frames in general have a higher stand over height in relation to their size? I got the feeling my LBS was just trying to get rid of the 07 by telling me the fit was fine. I know bike fit is like a shoe in that brand to brand and style to style you may need a different size (my shoes range from 10-11.5 by brand and type!) So I'm sure it is possible that the 52 is fine and most of this is just in my head.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.

bianchi's site has all the spec's you probably need, including standover.

http://www.bianchiusa.com/07_axis.html

you can look at each year back to '04. just change the year in the url. the geometry is the still the same every year, but each year shows more or less measurements than other years... for instance, 08 is the only year that shows the bb drop to be 68mm, but it doesn't list the head tube angle... which is listed on 07's page.

the bb height is more what is going to determine if a bike fits larger for it's size... standard road bb drop is typically 70mm, so that bianchi will fit you more like your road bike should. my ridley crosswind has a bb drop of 57, which makes the standover taller.

i'd go with a bianchi that is the same size as your road bike. i think the 52 would be way too small if you're used to a 55, plus i don't really buy into the idea of getting a cross frame that is smaller than your road bike. if you do, you'll probably be cursed with the bars not being high enough.

i was strongly considering a bianchi, until i came across my crosswind, so i spent a lot of time obsessing over the bianchi geometry.

you can really dork out by entering in all the data here: http://www.bikeforest.com/CAD/bikeCAD.php
perhaps build your road bike and your prospective new cross bike and compare.

ISOTOPESOPE

Thanks for your response. That makes sense to me. More bb to ground clearance make the bike run a bit taller basically if I am following you. That being said, I will have to measure my current bikes and compare them to Bianchi's specs... It sounds like many people are advising against sizing down for their cross bikes. Good to hear that again from another poster.

bikeforest.com link is bad ass. Didn't know that was out there. Thanks again

exactly. how much the bb drops from the axle line will change how high off the ground that 55cm is going to be.

bikeforest is indeed killer. if you go to the main page, there's a article about a custom 36" wheeled bike. i just saw another one on mtbr (http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=381562) too:

i'm getting obsessed! haha

looks nice

exactly. how much the bb drops from the axle line will change how high off the ground that 55cm is going to be.

bikeforest is indeed killer. if you go to the main page, there's a article about a custom 36" wheeled bike. i just saw another one on mtbr (http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=381562) too:

i'm getting obsessed! haha

Hay, thanks again for your assistance. Taking full measurements tomorrow on my other bikes. 36" Wheels?...that would be something! It's hard to shop buying new bikes isn't it?

Standover is an irrelevant metric. Unless you choose to Fred Flinstone your bike instead of pedaling it.