Hello all. I need some help on obtaining the correct size bike. I had a Lemond Victoire a few years back that was 55cm and it felt a little too big, although it might have not been fit correctly. Now, I'm looking at a Lemond Zurich that's 53cm. I'm 5'11 with a 31 inch inseam. Obviously I have a long torso. Also, I traditionally like a slightly smaller bike. I don't know why. I'm thinking I can dial the Zurich in pretty easily. Here are my specific sizes from the Competive Cyclist:

Top Tube Length
55.2 - 55.6 cm

Seat Tube Range CC
52.4 - 52.8 cm

Seat Tube Range CT
53.9 - 54.4 cm

Stem Length
9.7 - 10.3 cm

BB saddle position
76.5 - 78.5 cm

Saddle Handlebar
52 - 52.6 cm

Saddle Setback
2.8 - 3.2 cm

LEMOND BIKE MEASUREMENTS


Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

When one has a long torso, one usually rides a larger modern frame (compact geometry) not smaller. You don't want to have to use a crazy long stem, and small frames have short top tubes. With compact geometry you can size up without running into stand over problems even when your inseam is short. The good news is that Lemond bikes tend to run a bit long in the top tube, so you could perhaps go smaller, but I wouldn't. I am 5'7" with your same inseam and have always ridden 54cm frames in both standard and compact geometry. I have never had stand over issues. It looks to me like you need at least a 54 cm frame if not 55 or 56 to get the necessary top tube length. I wouldn't go a small as you are contemplating.

Agree with such a long torso you probably would be better off with longer top tube of 55. Fwiw I'm 5'11.5 with 33.75 inseam and 55 would be my size based on that geometry chart. I have longish legs and arms so I can fudge a bit more top tube with my shorter torso. Not shown in chart is head tube length which is usually a pretty critical sizing datapoint.

Is 31" your bike inseam or pants inseam? The former is usually 2-3" greater than the latter and measure from the floor hard up against the pubic arch.