Originally Posted by old and new
Junkyard, it's quite obvious that you as mch as anyone is in a possition to do a bike that's the right size. If your anot-meas., are correct, a 56cm is most certainly too small for ideally comfortable riding. A stem and set-back seatpost could remedy it,JUST a stem would NOT, anyone can see that you would be forward of the pedal.. N/G. Plus your front will be too low. You're not border-line(as I am) ,you clearly need a 58 (more I'd say),depending on other aspects of the frame. Older and/or many Italian made bikes have relatively short top tubes,all under the guise of "traditional road race" geometry. LeMond is long,as are Brigestones and old Centurions. Besides you needn't go particully long, just not overly short,relatively speaking.
Top tube sizing is driving me crazy, because as a relatively inexperienced cyclist, I have no idea what's right. All sizing calculators I've used indicate about 59 cm with a 110cm stem or so. Currently, I'm riding a 57 cm frame on my road bike with a 57 cm top tube, tall stem level with the saddle, 80 mm extension, setback seatpost with the saddle rails clamped on the middle, and I feel comfortable. On the hoods, my arms are only slightly bent.