I'm looking at a touring frame-set and they have a general recommendation of 52cm for someone 5'3"-5'7" and 54cm for 5'7"-5'10". I'm ~5'8", but have a short torso. I had a 55cm road bike(90 Miyata 916) that I ended up selling because I was too stretched out even with a very short stem. Should I go for the 52cm, or will that likely be too small? Are there downfalls of riding a smaller frame and having a fairly tall seat-post and steer-tube?

I'm 5'7" and ride a nominal size 54 and as it happens, the top tube is also 54cm. The bike fits fine but I feel a 53cm top tube would be ideal as my position is not very low. In your case, with a short torso, the 52 cm is likely to be fine but you may need a seatpost with more than average setback.

I'm 5'8" too. I have 52cm through 54cm frames. I find on my larger frames I am more comfortable with shorter stem extensions like 60-70mm. Even my 80 Fuji newest which is a 52cm C-T I have an 85mm stem extension.

Bottom line I think a 52cm would be fine with a proper stem extension length.

Don

It should be noted that bike frame sizing has dramatically changed in recent years. It used to be a frame size was (and still is) measured from the bottom bracket center. What has changed is most modern road bikes have a virtual measurement for the frame size, not the actual seat tube length. People are now riding with significantly more seat post out of the frame now. If you look at old (lets say 1938) road bike racer footage on you tube, most racers had 0ne, two maybe three inches of seat post out of the frame. Now there is the "compact' frame", with the slanted top tube. Now it is common to have 9-10 inches of seat/ post out of the frame. I am an old school roadie (40 plus years) I am 5'-6" short. I used to ride 52cm frames (seat tube length) Fast forward forty years, and now I will not consider riding a frame with more than a 44 cm seat tube.

A lot depends on the bike-- Felt's Z-line didn't even have a 52. They went from 51 to 54 so... you'd get a 54 and with its downward sloping top tube you'd still probably have a lot of exposed seat post.

I agree with the other posters that the 52 will be fine.

I'm 5'9" with a very short torso, and all I did was go from the stock 90mm stem to a 100mm stem.

As you have a short torso, I think the 52 would be fine: in the reach.

Just check the stack height is not too low, for your 'touring' position.
If it looks as if it would be, then I'd keep looking.

I don't find it strange at all. I'm 5'5" and I rode 50cm conventional frames. Color of those are even too big or have too much standover. A frame that is too big is a nightmare.

Quite a lot depends on conditioning for optimum position on the bike. In Spring, before miles have accumulated significantly, I find my preferred position a bit more upright so I use a 75mm stem. By mid-summer when I'm in better physical condition, the preferred position is longer and lower so I use a 90 mm stem and drop the bar about 5 mm.

I'm 5'6" with a 29.5" inseam and ride a 52cm. Standover is about right and reach felt a tad long with a 100mm x 6deg stem. Went with a 90mm x 17deg stem and it feels better now. A bit more upright but a lot more comfortable. I like it...

Also smaller frames can use longer stem and seat post to get a good fit. But with bigger frames you are screwed. Can't cut up the frame to make it fit...

On the small side, but unless you need to sit upright like a bus driver you should be able to make this work with the right stem, handlebar, and seatpost.

I'm 5'7" and ride a 52cm specialized tarmac, 54 would leave me a bit stretched out, it does depend on the brand/geometry though.

I say go for it! I'm 5 11 and I ride a 54. I've tried 56 and 58s and just didn't like them, the reach was too far. 54 has a shorter reach which is perfect for me.

Top tube length is just as important as seat tube length;

Seat tube length is pretty unimportant.

What is missing in the responses is acknowledgment that the OP is buying a touring bike. Touring bikes do not use the fit geometry or road racing bikes, and often have shortish top tubes compared to racing bikes of the same size as they are intended for a more upright position.

If the OP has a model in mind, please post it. Otherwise it is hard to say anything definitive about fit on a touring frame.