Bicycle Mechanics - What size frame is right for me?

That's probably a redundant question but couldn't find the answer I was looking for with a search. I'm in the market for a new frame and I can either go with a 59cm or 61cm. I'm 6'5 and have what I'm guessing is at least a 36" inseam so the 61 would i think be right. Is it true that a 59 or 57 cm would handle better than a 61? If I went with the 59, would i still be cramped if I used a setback seat post and a longer stem? Is it silly of me to want a slightly smaller frame? Thanks in advance

Top tube, or virtual top tube is much more important than seat tube. Go to a bike store and try some bikes. Seattube size will get you into the right ball park but the clincher is the TT lenght. A 61 seens around the right neighbourhood for your height. If not even a bit small.

That's probably a redundant question but couldn't find the answer I was looking for with a search. I'm in the market for a new frame and I can either go with a 59cm or 61cm. I'm 6'5 and have what I'm guessing is at least a 36" inseam so the 61 would i think be right.

A) Is it true that a 59 or 57 cm would handle better than a 61?

B) If I went with the 59, would i still be cramped if I used a setback seat post and a longer stem?

C) Is it silly of me to want a slightly smaller frame? Thanks in advance

A) Not if they're not your size. A mile long seat post is a lot more flexible that a frame no matter the size and then the bike is going to feel whippy. If the post is near the extreme, the frame is probaby too small. And I mean a regular 350ish mm post, not some crazy long one.

B) Probably. And if the saddles jammed back all the way on the rails and then you decide you need to tweak it back a cm, where you gonna go?

C) I think yes.

Gotta ride it to know for sure.

The OP needs to read up on bike fit and at least take an accurate cycling inseam measurement from the floor to saddle-like crotch contact in bare feet. From there, a reasonably accurate saddle height can be deduced and then an appropriate head tube length.

The idea that TT length is more important than any other dimension is wrong. TT length, by itself means nothing. A seat tube angle is also needed to determine the frame reach. The head tube length changes about twice as much as the reach, between any two frames sizes, so you can't ignore the head tube length and only look at the reach.

The OP is so tall that only the very largest size that most brands sell would be suitable, particularly if his inseam is 36 inches or greater. The fit calculator below will get you started, but I would not put much value in the output. At least it tells you how to measure inseam.

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR_INTRO