Originally Posted by
lotekmod
I think my perfect frame size is something around 55x55 or even 55x54 or 55x53 if I could ever find one. It is surprising how big a couple of centimeters difference can seem on a bike. So I was wondering whether other C&Vers had their frame size really dialed in to an exact size, or how big of a range of sizes you feel comfortable riding by making stem/seat adjustments.
You are not too far from my current height, Gravity strikes back an I have lost some over the decades, your legs are probably longer.
It will be difficult to find a larger frame with a short top tube. A Gios from the 80's, some of the English super short wheelbase bikes from the 70's on, and a few other Italian brands from the middle 80's might get you there.
I agree a 100-110 length stem provides a good feel, but this has to be tempered a bit, many bars do not have the same throw forward, I have one bike with one of the shorter stems of the group and the bars project much farther than say the typical Cinelli offering. At the brake hoods the position is the same, on the tops, this bike is shorter, as climbing on the tops is typical, a bit better position for that.