Road Cycling - proper size frame for 6'1" rider

What would the ideal frame size be for a 6'1" rider( assuming modern compact geometry).

The reason I'm asking is because I have seen two used bikes that have caught my eye....56cm specialized langster and a 62cm specialized langster.

Do you think either one of these bikes will work....or should I seek out a 58cm.

The reason I'm asking is because these used bikes are over 50 miles away from me...in opposite directions. I really don't want to do all that driving to find out they aren't even close to fitting...I'm more worried about the 62cm.

Yeah, I know it's a noob question.

I am 6'1" and ride a Specialize Allez Comp = 58cm. Seems perfect to me.

this is an online bike-fit calculator which seems to be pretty good.

It's crucial that you get your inseam measurement correct, so give it a few tries.
I think you're supposed to use metric measurements.
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR&sex=M&units=cm

An easier way is: Greg Lemond says that the bike should be 66.66% of your inseam :)

I am 6' with a 33.75" inseam measured according to the fit systems. (not pant length) I ride 4 bikes - all fit very well with small differences made up for by things like stem length, saddle height, etc.

Trek - 58 cm, 2 Lemonds at 57 cm and a third Lemond at 55 cm.

55/Rad

Part of fit depends upon ratio of legs to upper body, riding style and preferences (how aggressive a rider are you - i.e., lots of time in the drops??), flexibility, etc.

See a good LBS.

Don't buy used unless you really know what you are doing.

I ride a Large OCR 2

58cm sounds about right, but you should get fitted or use the online calculator

58cm sounds right I'm 6'2 and ride a 58cm bianchi

Also 6'1" here and have been measured at three LBS while looking. All told me 57-58 cm but depending on the bike and the way it is measured.

So check out your LBS and get sized.

6'2" - 60cm cannondale, but I got some long legs. I rode a freinds 58 around for a week and it felt small.

The size of the frame is one of the few things that can't be changed on a bike. You have to get it right the first time. Before I spent all of my money, I'd want to get fitted or use an online fit calculator or try out some different sized bikes in a bike store. The last thing that I'd want to do would be to depend on the advice of a bunch of people whose backgrounds are unfamiliar to me and who have never seen me to know what my body porportions are.

I am 6'1" have a 58 cm Cannondale . It's nice but I wish I had tried a frame with at least 60cm run from stem to seat post.

I'm 6'1", 34" inseam (actual) and I ride a 58 cm Specialized Allez Elite. Fits great, but the LBS put the seat a little to far forward. which reminds me, i have to dig up a small crescent wrench. The 62 is a big honkin bike

I'm 6'1" and ride a 61cm frame.

6'0", 57 cm.

It really depends on frame geometry. You could fit on anything from 56-62, probably.

Part of fit depends upon ratio of legs to upper body, riding style and preferences (how aggressive a rider are you - i.e., lots of time in the drops??), flexibility, etc.

See a good LBS.

Don't buy used unless you really know what you are doing.

I couldn't agree more. Buying used can be very tedious. That can lead to a frustrated buyer and seller. I know... I tried to buy a Serotta Ott Rott online recently. The seller just wanted to unload and I wanted all the minutia of angles and tub lengths so I could be absolutely sure of the fit before I bought it. Eventually, he found a buyer that just pulled the trigger and bought the frame.

Top tube length is more important than seat tube length. Taller people tend to have the same torso length as people who are more in the norm with height. They are often "normal sized peole with longer legs. Get your personal top tube range set clearly before you shop. Then you'll be able to guage the virtual top tube length on any bike you shop. Virtual measures true horizontal for frames with sloping top tubes.

In the end though, you'd be much better served with a pro fit from a qualified shop.