in my opinion you don't need the super huge fat tires on the steamroller that there is clearance for. and it's sort of disappointing that they've 'slackened' the geometry of the steamroller since first introducing it, but i'm riding a 2001 56cm and i'm 5'9" -- i like to be comfy since i need to put in the miles to get anywhere from the southside of chicago. that being said, i've been hit, crashed, thrown, etc etc on that bike and nothing has happened to the frame. they're bomb broof. i love 'em. go for the surly.