Originally Posted by
praise dakinis
I have a 2020 (last year’s bituminous grey) Surly Disc Trucker, size 52cm, that I got after trying out a 54, a 52, and a 50cm. The 54 was clearly way too big; the 52 felt right after trying the 54, and the 50 felt a bit cramped. Granted, this is with the way the LBS had them set up out of the box. I ended up deciding to do by own build, so I purchased a 52cm online (the LBS didn’t sell framesets). Now I’ve got it set up and it feels like the reach is too long. I’ve already swapped stems from a 90mm to a 60mm and my saddle is as forward as it should be, but I still feel like I want my hands a couple centimeters back on the hoods (and I like my 40cm Salsa Cowchipper bars). I can’t remember now what the 50cm Disc Trucker felt like, but I’m wondering if the reach problem would be solved by dropping down a size. Or if I should just look for another frame (like a Kona Sutra or Salsa Marrakesh).
I'm not sure what you mean by saying your saddle is as forward as it should be. Set your saddle setback so you can take your hands off the bars while pedaling, without falling forward, which will take the weight off your hands. If the seat is too far forward, you may actually feel like you need to move your hands farther back on the hoods, so that you can support your weight better. If the seat is back where it should be, you can more comfortably reach the hoods without falling forward, and being uncomfortable. I do run a fairly short stem, but by that I mean 90mm, and I have the larger frame in the range that fits me.