sounds7

5"9 with a 29-30 inseam and ride a 53

ptle

It really depends.

The best thing to do is test ride both sizes. Next, is to do research on geometry and bike fit. 52cm has the potential to give you a more aggressive fit, while a 54cm possibly gives you a more comfortable fit.

To answer you're question I'm roughly 5' 7.25" and ride a 52cm. I've ridden a 54cm CAAD9, Fuji Newest, and an Ironhorse. It doesn't feel as good as a 52cm. I've ridden both the 54 and 52cm Fujis, and I prefer the 52cm. I'd say I'm pretty average proportionally.

I can also fit on a 50cm, but it's a pretty aggressive saddle to bar drop.

bobbyl1966

Hello how are you. I buy one lemond tourmalet 2002 the person i buy the bike tell me is 57cm. But me i measure as 57cm. Can you tell me more info about lemond bikes and how good is. The frame is 853 steel. I look info online my bike have all the original parts and wheels. Do you think is worth to upgrade parts in that bike include wheels or the original wheels and other parts is good

hueyhoolihan

nice simple question with little debate needed or asked for. good.

sooooo, at 5'8" i ride 7 bikes: 50cm(2) 52(1) 54(3) 55(1). recently, i've been going by the length of the headtube only. they range from 100mm to 150mm.

Stucky

I'm 5'10" and ride a 54, and wouldn't go any bigger than that for myself. So I'd say if I were 5'8" or 5'9", I'd go with a 52- I might even try a 50- but I wouldn't go 54. But then it all depends on what you like. I like a smallish fit. If the 52 feels good, that is the size you should have. In my opinion, there is nothing worse than a bike that is too big. I even had a 54 once which was too big, because it had a longish top tube- I sold it.

rpenmanparker 

At 5'7 1/2" I have ridden 54cm frames for more than 30 years. Like to stretch out. Reasonable saddle rise and 100 mm to 110 mm stems. 2 inch saddle to bar drop. And I could have more drop on any of the frames I've had. Why would I go smaller?

cashmonee

5'7" on a 52cm Tarmac SL4. Although as others have said, that may not mean much to you. Get fitted. If you are comfortable, it fits.

Bunyanderman

5'8" and I ride a 54. I have a 90mm stem with a set back seat post, weird combo I am starting to think. I used to be a little stretched out, but have become accustomed to it now. I think I might try a zero setback seat post and a 100 or 110 stem.

newbie101

5'8," 81 cm PBH.

52's are a little too small. I've had several shops/fitters tell me 54 is spot on for specialized road bikes.

LesterOfPuppets

5'7". Currently one 53 and one 54.

Trsnrtr

I'm also 5'7" and run a theoretical 52x52 or 53x53 frame with a short stem, 80-90mm. I could run a smaller frame with a more normal stem reach but then I have trouble getting my seat back far enough due to long thigh bones.

From what I've seen over the last 34 years, many shorter riders ride a similar setup.

Edited frame sizes after checking.

calyco

5'8" and I ride a 54cm Jamis Icon Pro. I am really 52 but more relaxed and comfortable on a 54

rpenmanparker 

I would think for sure you know that you don't ideally move forward and backward like that without regard to position over the pedals. Get your proper setback right first with regard to best pedaling efficiency and comfort. As I have said before, knee over pedal spindle isn't sacred, but we have no better starting point. Then your reach is adjusted separately once the saddle is FIXED (pending later fine tuning from the starting KOPS). Is your saddle unable to move forward enough to test your position? You don't have to keep the saddle centered over the seat post for any particular reason. Only in rare cases is a different set back post required due to limited travel of the saddle on its rails.

rpenmanparker 

Why would you ride a different size in a steel frame and a compact carbon frame (assumption by me concerning what you have today)? Assuming they are nominally sized similarly relative to a horizontal (effective) top tube, there shouldn't be much difference.

Trsnrtr

Good catch. I looked up the specs on my two current bikes and they both have an effective top tube of 52.5 cm. the only real change from my steel days is in the stem length which could be due to head tube configurations or just plain old body aging.

I'm going to edit my post. Forgive me, I've been sick with flu for the last 3 days and really can't function properly.

headloss 

yay, zombie thread!

You should have started a new thread, you are asking someone a question based on a post that was made five years ago!!!

Lemonds are nice bikes. I have a Trek 520 from the same era. (Lemonds were Treks). They tend to have long top tubes for their size and have a more stretched out feel. In the spirit of this thread, the ETT is 55.5 cm on my 21" (53.5cm) Trek. I'm 5'9" with a 31.5" inseam.

Bunyanderman

Yes.

the sci guy 

Well, the thread is 5 years old but I'll toss in my info just for a summary's sake...

I'm 5'5", and I ride a 52cm Cross-Check. Personally, I think it's just a tad too big, and would rather have got a 50. Take that for what it's worth. Which is not much.

alexaschwanden

Im 5'7 and ride 52cm or sometimes a 54cm, with a 100 mm stem.

EasternRoads

I'm 5'7" with a 31" cycling inseam. I ride a 54cm road bike with a 100mm stem. It's comfortable but not an aggressive fit. I also have a 52cm frame and it fits like a glove! My position is more aggressive on the 52 but I find both comfortable.

I <3 Robots

5'8" with a 30 inseam and with a longish torso. I ride a 54cm Cervelo with a 110mm stem. I could size down to a 51 if need be.

willy704

5'7 and I ride a 56. I have longer legs, so with smaller frames my saddle to bar drop is just too much; the longer headtube on the 56 brings up the handlebars nicely. Only problem is that the top tube is a little long, but that's nothing that you can't solve with a shorter stem.

ggpepper

I'm glad this thread got picked back up. I'm 5'8" with 30" inseam. Old Trek 830 MTB is a 52 as is my SE Lager and I thought they were good fits with plenty of stand over room and a comfortable reach. Last month I had the pleasure of picking up a '91 PDG Series 3 in perfect shape with complete 105 group set. It measures 23" from center BB to top of seat tube. I think that makes it a 58cm but it fits me and rides very nice. I moved the saddle up to better reach the hoods and now wonder if larger frames are better for me.

furiousferret

5'8" 31 inseam. I ride a 50cm with a 120 stem. The smaller bikes seem to give you more control when sprinting.

lsberrios1 

Generally speaking I see the consensus is 52-54cm. Would it be the same for a women? MY wife is 5'7" and she looks very stretched out on a 54cm felt f series.