Originally Posted by Leisesturm

In the old days there might have been two sizes in between that bike and your ideal size. Today a single size of frame is expected to fit riders with as much as 5" height difference. I have a 24" Team USA with a 31.5 stand-over. I suggest you actually measure your bike rather than take numbers off ads or brochures. Sometimes they measure a size in the model line for illustration purposes but that isn't always the size of the bike that is for sale. My advice to you is to spend a couple of hours reading several back pages of this forum. All your questions have been asked, and answered. I'm not being sarcastic. You will learn exactly what measurements are important and how to take them. Or if you don't bother with measurements, and you don't have to. You can get an idea of how others take pictures for evaluation. Shoes on for a start. On the hoods like you are there should be more bend in your elbows. 17* is what I have read. As I ride around town most everyone I see on drop bars has locked out elbows. I think this is indicative of too much stretch. Most people ride far bigger bikes than a racer of the same height would. The racer is also trying to get more aero and a bent elbow and lower torso of course will facilitate that.