I recently purchased a Surly LHT that is 58cm for a cross country tour and commuting. I bought it used for a good price, but unfortunetly, it is far too big. It is the first road bike that I have ever had and ridden, so I didn't really know what would fit me best. The reach on the bike is far too big, (I have heard that surly LHT run a longer top tube) and the top tube comes right up to my crotch when i stand over it.

I am about 5'10", my inseam is 32.75 inches, and I'm am not very flexible. I am going to be buying the 2016 Fuji Touring Bike, and I'm not sure which frame size to get. I think the 56cm would fit me, but I'm not sure if a 54cm would fit me better. I was planning on going to a bike shop and trying a few bikes to try and see, but its hard to tell without riding the actual bike. I need a bike that I can stay on the hoods for pretty much all day if I want. Thoughts?

A lot of it depends on your proportions, but my instinct is one should almost always to go for the smaller bike, because adjustments to make it fit larger are so much easier.

I'm 5'9" ish, and I ride a 52, and found the reach on a 54 to be long for me. The 52 is perfect, though every person I talk to wants to put me on a 54--but I have long legs and a short torso, so actually the 52 is better. My saddle is quite high, and set back towards the forward half of the saddle rails, but my stem is the stock stem.

My point is within a certain height range, there is a lot of variability, and in the end it's going to come down to your proportions, and riding the bikes and seeing what they feel like.

I agree with the 2nd poster. That said, however, I too am 5'`10" and I have a big road bike bought used that I can only stand over (barely) in cycling shoes. It has a 100mm stem and with 80mm reach compact bend bars it fits pretty well. I am sure your LHT is big, but far too big... I don't know... I certainly wouldn't buy a new bike if that is the only reason for doing so. An 80mm stem might make all the difference in the world. Not all bikes shorten the top tube proportioately. I have a 52cm commuter with a top tube just as long as the 60cm monster road racer. That's why you have to get on them and see for yourself.

I have a 90mm stem on it currently. I didn't think a shorter stem would solve my problem, as even the tops of the bars were a stretch, let alone the hoods. Many people on another forum post were telling me to get a new bike and I would be much happier. Thanks for the input.

If you want to get a new bike, who am I to stand in your way (I have seven), but if you just want a bike that fits, I think you can make the Surly work with a little... work. Why don't you think a shorter stem can work? Getting a shorter stem can solve just about every problem there is, except maybe peace in the Middle East. They make them as short as zero offset. Just saying.