Measure the touch points - saddle to pedal (pedal at farthest from saddle), saddle to bar, see what is different.
You can also push the saddle all the way rearward in the seatpost clamp.
But maybe you should test ride some Surleys in a size or two larger. REI has a good return policy, I think.
Good idea. On my old bike I got 35" and 31.5" and on the Surly I got 36.5" (after raising saddle today) and 32.5" So it seems like it's just in my head?
For what it's worth, I went to a well respected LBS to test some other bikes before I bought this and the guy said that by sizing me up (nothing scientific that he would put me on a 54 for most road bikes. Of course I test rode a Raleigh and KHS road bike in those sizes and didn't feel 100% comfortable. I think I am probably between sizes on the Cross Check and could make 54 or 56 work but I have a feeling neither would be a perfect fit so maybe this just isn't the right bike for me. REI will definitely take it back. They just changed their return policy but I still have over 11 months to ride it and get my money back ...not that I'd do that
