Touring - Which frame size for Surly LHT, 56 or 58?

Hi there. I've found a couple stores that still carry 2008 LHT's. One has a 58cm Blue and the other has a 56cm olive in stock. I was able to test ride a Cross-Check this week at my LBS and it was a 58cm frame. The Cross-Check road great and the standover was pretty much in my crotch, not uncomfortable though.

My height is 5ft 9&1/2in. My inseam is 32in. I know the LHT is more upright than the Cross-Check, so I'm wondering should I go with the 58cm Blue or the 56cm Olive? The blue frame is the color I really want.

You will probably do much better on the 56. The olive is a wonderful color as well. But if blue is what you want then find a 56 in blue.
edit: where do you live? I have an LBS with a 56 LHT in stock.

FWIW, we're almost the same dimensions, 5'10" with similar inseam, and I found the 56 was the largest frame size that I could make fit comfortably.

Ultimately, base you fit according to top tube length and less emphsis on standover height.

I agree with everyone here on the 56cm. I'm 5'11" with about a 32" inseam (long torso). My first LHT was the 58cm in the blue but after a a few weeks, I realized that it was too big and wasn't going to work so I sold that frameset and waited a couple of extra months until the 56cm came out in the olive green. I have not regretted the switch and the 56 works very well.

That said, I probably could have gotten away with the 54cm but I wanted the 700c wheels and didn't want to end up with a frame which was too short. I am very happy with the 56!

56

56cm it is! Thanks for the input everyone.

By the way, if you know anyone that has a 56cm Blue complete in stock, let me know. Thanks!

I'm 6' and my 56 is a tad too small. I think the 58 would be a tad too big. You'll love it.

I am 5'11" with at 32 inch inseam and went with the 54 cm bike. I tried both the 56 and 54 and found the 54 to be the most comfortable for me.

I'm 6' and my 56 is a tad too small. I think the 58 would be a tad too big. You'll love it.

Don't you think that if one bike feels too small that the next one that is only 2 cm larger would fit? I think that most of us can fit two LHT bike sizes just fine (with adjustments of course).


I struggled with the whole sizing thing when ordering up my LHT as well, but was able to get it fitted properly with the right stem. I am a regularly-proportioned 5' 11" and ride a 58 cm and love it. I'm sure I could fit a 56 and perhaps a 54 as well if I wanted to go with the smaller wheels.