My wife (and stoker) is 5'5" and our stoker compartment is 32 inches long. The reason for the length is that I am 5'4.5" tall and her handlebars need to completely clear the back of my saddle. To have the handlebar height where she wants it (about even with her seat), the handlebars need to be an inch or two higher than my saddle. She will not ride the old tandem anymore it is just too short in the back and she can't get comfortable. You can always put a longer stoker stem on the bike, it is much more difficult to make it longer once you are finished.