Originally Posted by David Newton

By the way, the Lambert "death fork" looks like it has lasted just fine this long, I wonder if anyone has really died from one.
I used to go to the carnival and watch the "wall of death" then later the "globe of death" without ever seeing even an accident, what's up with that?

54 to 56cm seat tube length sounds fine for you.
Since you have a friend who pegged you right on the size, take him with you when you go look at bikes, then buy him a good lunch when you're done.