Originally Posted by seaniesharko
hmmm i am new to cycling, and i don't know much about frame sizing, but i was reading about this formula and it sounds like people are pleased with it. i read about a 5'10 1/2" persons frame size according to the forumula and he said it was perfect... 56-57cm. thats my exact height, but i know different inseams sizes can dictate the best frame size. my inseam length is 32". does this measurement seem ok for me?
You can't get fitted on the internet...only at a good LBS. The best size for you depends on your riding style, your age, your fitness level, your riding goals, and stuff such as the length of your torso and arms.
I ride "traditional" geometry road bikes from the 1980's...many 2006 road bikes have sloping top tubes, short head tubes, and other forms of modern "innovation"...some unique fitting problems.
I'm 5 feet 9 1/2 inches tall, with legs that measure 35 inches from the pubic bone to the floor. My slack's have a 32 inch inseam. I like to set up my bikes with the top of the bars at the same height as the saddle which enables me to ride with my back at a 45 degree angle relative to a horizontal top tube.
The "traditional" bikes that fit me best are between around size 57 and size 60. The taller the bike, the easier it is to get the bars up equal to the saddle. If I wanted to pretend to be Lance, and ride with my hands three inches lower than the saddle, I could buy a size 56 bike and hike up the seat post.