larger or smaller?

i've got a 54cm dual , i'm 5'11, 33inch inseam, and the seat post has to go almost all the way to the safety line about 7 inches to work

the bars are stacked ontop of a bunch of spacers, i don't know it looks silly to me but maybe it's me.

i'm told a 56 would work for me too, but the shop thinks i should ride the smallest bike possible.

hmmm.

what do you think?

I'm certainly not an expert on fit and I would agree that you should be on the smallest frame you can be on. But I would think that would be, get on the smallest frame you can be on without making alot of modifications to it. I think that it sounds the smaller frame is alittle too small...just my opinion from what you've said.

i sent the 54 back for a 56 and i'm glad i did. fits perfect....

What are the respective top tube measurements for the two bike sizes (54 and 56)? I'm also trying to decide between two frame sizes. I am 6' tall, have very good flexibility, and have an 88cm inseam (That 88 cm is as measured for bike fitting. My pant size inseam is 34 inches). I'm currently riding an old road bike with aero bars and a fairly high-rise stem. The road bike is a 52cm frame with a 54cm center to center top tube. With the saddle almost all the way forward on the rails, I feel pretty comfortable in the aero position. My forearm position on the aero bars seems to support my upper body well and I can do my training rides (1.5 - 2 hours) in the aero position. I am looking to get a Quintana Roo Tequilo. The 55cm frame has a 54cm center to center top tube, so I expect I could achieve the same comfort on the 55 Tequilo as I now have on my old road bike. However, from what I've read, the 57cm frame Tequilo should technically fit my height. Any ideas on which frame I should get?