Originally Posted by
marn
your height is right on the border of a M and a M/L
its all personal preference but if you go with the medium you can use a longer stem.
i was on the border of two sizes and went with the smaller option because i like the stem to be longer for a more stable ride. (also lighter and stiffer frame)
there are some really steep and long descents all over so cal and i prefer the stability the longer stems give.
if you go with the bigger frame with the longer stem you could end stretched out.
if you are able to test ride both frame sizes try to get the store to put the correct length stem on each bike so you can see how the handling changes.
get opinions from the store because even despite the height recommendations peoples proportions could change things quite a bit.
I hear ya man. I had test ridden the Defy 1 tonight in the 53.5cm size. It came stock with a 100mm stem. The stem was at the top of the spacer stack and flipped up. I rode it for about 20 minutes on their test course and liked it a lot, but I knew I would want to drop the bars just a bit if I bought it. I brought that up with the bike tech and he happily flipped the stem for me, making it horizontal to the ground. Blam! Winner! I was a fan, and SOMEHOW had the balls to leave without the bike. (darnit, I hate paycheck-waiting). I think I'll be going back for it though...
I didn't test ride any other size bikes, but I did sit on the 55.5 in the store. I was weary of it, and decided not to bother riding it. Quite honestly I've ridden several bikes recently from other brands, and the 53.5cm Defy was a sure-fire winner for me. I'm anxious to get paid so I can go pick the darn thing up...