Originally Posted by humbug
i'm 5'8" with about a 30" inseam, and i've heard people tell me i need everything from a 52" seat tube to a 55. this is confusing for me, especially since i am looking at the lower end bianchis, which all jump from 52" to 55" with nothing in between. so in everyone's experience, is it better to err on the size of smallness or bigness? what are the advantages/disadvantages of each? thanks in advice for your help.
p.s. i know i should just get what 'feels right' but being new to road biking, it all feels somewhat awkward to me, in all honesty
Whether to err on small or large -- assuming you are within a range of frame sizes that fit you (the $million question), then I'd say the smaller bike within that range will give you better control and comfort. Like, I have a 56, and a new 55. The new 55 is fitted very much like the 56 (in terms of measurements between pedals, bars, and seat), but instead of my seat being pushed far forward as on my 56, its back slightly past the 1/2-way point. So my weight is more spread out fore/aft on the bike. IMO.
You are not expected to know what feels right, because you don't know what to feel for. It's like the first time having sex -- you'll just get excited knowing that, technically, you are "doing it," (and by doing it, I mean riding the bike) but only hindsight and experience will tell you how good it was or what you needed to work on (in terms of fit and set-up, of course).