Road Cycling - Size?

I went to check out Bianchi bikes yesterday. I'm interested in a Volpe but the shop didn't have one in stock. The salesman suggested that I test ride a Campione he had there to see what fit me.

The Campione is a size 55. It felt OK but I thought it might be a little too small for me. I'm 6' tall and wear 32" inseam jeans; my arms are long (35" sleeve?). The salesman is about the same height and assured me that he rides a 55.

I've never owned a road bike before. Does a 55 sound like the right size for me?

The inseam sounds about right, but that depends...the reach is the big issue as well. I'm not familiar with the Volpe, is it a compact geometry? If the bike was compact you'd be able to get a "larger" frame to still fit comfortably under you.

BUT, the real issue is whether it felt comfortable to you when you rode it.

PJ

Hit a few more bike shops, try different sizes. Start keeping track of how long the top tube is on each bike. That is one of the most important measurements. If you ride one bike with a 58cm top tube and like it, odds are that any bike will have to be within a centimeter (roughly) of that figure for you to like it.

Pants inseam is not an accurate enough measurement for bike fitting. Grab a phone book or level and jam it in your crotch (carefully, but firmly), make a mark on the wall and measure from the tile floor to the mark. Do not wear shoes. Make the measurement multiple times, write it down and don't forget it. You will refer to it many times in you future biking career. :)

Armed with that measurement, there are many places on the web where you can plug in the numbers and get a good approximation of the frame you would most likely fit. A fairly comprehensive fit calculator is located at wrenchscience. com. There are many others that google will lead you to. None of them are magic. None of them are perfect. But it is a start.

From your phsical dimensions, I'd be very surprised if the 55 is the right fit for you.

I am 6'1", and also have long arms (35-36"), usually wear ~32" inseam pants.

I ride a 59cm LeMond.

I test-rode some 56 cm bikes, because my inseam size dictated that size bike initially, but I felt cramped. I needed the longer, bigger bike to accommodate my longer arms.

You should be comfortably stretched in all positions on the handlebars (flat, hoods, and drops) - not cramped. Definitely try bigger sizes - 57 or 58 cm at least, for comparison.

The Volpe is a Cyclocross/light touring bike. The bigger tires will add about a CM of standover. Bianchi's website shows the Volpe has a 56cm Top Tube vs. the Campione's 55cm.

I would also be surprised a 55cm is your fit. I am between 5' 11" and 6' with a 32" pant inseam (34.25" real inseam, barefeet). I have a 59cm Bianchi that has a 32.5" standover heigth. I am of the long leg, short upperbody type. That means I use a 10-11cm stem. In your case (long arms) the 59cm with a standard 12cm stem should be fine. I surely wouldn't go shorter than a 57cm.
Try another store and check larger than 55cm sizes, seems like the store you went wants to clear inventory.