I'm a tall guy (6'3") and I currently ride a road bike that has a 62cm DT and 58cm TT. I like to ride kind of upright so I like the 58 cm TT, I could even maybe raise it up a bit, but the quill is already at max.

I'm looking at getting a Surly Cross Check (for commuting) and I'm torn between the 58cm and the 60 cm. The geometry of the cross check is that the DT = TT. So I feel like I need the longer DT but don't want to increase the reach on the TT.

But with all the different lenghths and slopes of stems does it really matter. If the 60cm has too long of a reach couldn't I just get a shorter stem. Or if I get the 58cm and need to raise the seat up really high, couldn't I just get an upsloping stem, and even a stem extender if I need to, to achieve a more upright riding position?

So as long as I am in the right ballpark and not trying to ride a 52cm frame... does the size really need to be exact?