I have a Trek 5200 54cm, and a new Madone 5.5, 56cm. I guess the 5.5 would be considered a "compact frame" since it has the up-sloping top tube. I can't tell any difference between the ride of the two that I would attribute to the frame style. This is the first 56cm frame I've had (I'm 5'8") but it really fits well.