tire size can be personal preference, I use 28s on my cross bike (and toured on 28s for years) but was and am nearly always on pavement. I just prefer a lighter tire that makes the bike seem more sprightly, I have 40s (1.5) on my commuter mtn bike which I admit is nice on Montreal roads as you dont have to be so attentive and careful of your line over and through rough stuff, not to mention gravel.
Oh, at a bit more than 5'10", I ride a 54cm Tricross and it fits me very well. I am definatly in the "preference for a slightly smaller" frame size camp (but could be my leg/torso ratio influencing that)