Excellent review and I agree with you on the required adjustments (brakes and shifting) . If you have mechanical experience this is not a big deal. I recently purchased the silver version in 50cm size. According to the BikesDirect sizing chart, the 53.5cm would have been my ideal size at 5'10". However, after some time spent on the net checking reviews I decided to go with the 50cm realizing that a stem change would most likely bail me out of any reach issues. Basically there is a 10+mm diff in reach between those two frame sizes. The factory installed stem was a 105mm and after my initial rides and fitting I determined that I needed a 115mm stem. This got me back my 10mm I needed and I'm a happy man. In hind site the 53.5 probably would have fit me well out of the box, but a stem change is no biggie. Initially installed 35c cross tires for the winter slop, but have since installed a set of the nashbar 35c streetwise tires for road use. Based upon the size road frames I normally ride (56cm Trek, 57cm Bianchi), I would advise anyone to go a size smaller when purchasing the Zilla, which ideally in my case would have been the 53.5cm. The top bar drops down considerably, so you are not going to get in trouble with stand over height if you go the route I am suggesting. Just my .02. Enjoying my Zilla !