Hey,

so I want to order a surly steamroller..

problem is the whole size issue. I currently have two bikes, a 50cm peugeot, and what is (I think) a 50cm dawes with the more trackish geometry. I'm 5'4, but both are too small for me (the peugeot more so).. partially I think b/c I ride on top instead of in the bar drops?

the question is, would the 53cm be going too much in the other direction?

It'd be ridiculous if I went from too small, to too large.

indi -

So... I'm about 5'11'' w/ a true 32.75 inseam. I went for the 56cm frame on the surly steamroller. I haven't received my order yet but I can say i test drove the 53cm and the 59cm and I was somewhere in the middle. Look at your Standover height (on their website) to get a feel for what is best for you then go check out a few similar bikes at your LBS. This helped me get a feel for what the 56cm would be like even though i didn't ride it.

I was on the M sized Schwinn Madison before so that was my main fixed/ss comparison.

I'll let you know if this worked out for me once i get it in later this week.

Cheers,

kj

I ride a 53cm Steamroller. I have a 30 in inseam and have just a tad over a fist full of seatpost exposed with a Brooks saddle.
You might want to look at their 51cm. Just make sure the top tube length is ideal. That's more important as far as fit is concerned.

I would fit the standover height, and I totally agree with the top tube. That's actually my main problem with both current bikes, a kind of scrunching up of the body to make do.

a 51 would be great, but they don't seem to produce the steamroller in that size.
May I ask how tall you are?

I'm 5' 8"

Try measuring the top tube lengths of your current bikes and post what those are. Stem lengths would help too.

How to measure: https://www.strongframes.com/how_to_o...urements/bike/

I'm 5'11" and my Surly LHT is a 56cm. Don't remember my inseam, but I did measure it at the store.

TT length is the only measurement that matters. Standover height is generally useless, albeit, it's not taller than your inseam.

If I were you I would get the 49cm or whatever size they have just smaller than 53cm. I have a 53cm steamroller, I'm 5'8", but have a 29-30" inseam (okay, I prefer khakis to be 29 in length, that's what I'm judging it by). Steamrollers have a long top tube and I did feel like I was reaching too far, I actually replaced the stock 90mm stem with a 70mm one and it feels a LOT better although I could maybe go 60mm too (never tried). So since you're 5'4" you should probably get the 49cm... it's always easier to get a longer stem than shorter stem imo..and it's better to have a slightly longer seatpost than short, stubby one..

im 5'7 about and I ride a 49 I would go with that size becuase as previously stated they have a fairly long top tube. Mine fits pretty well and is comfortable.

thanks for this!

weird tho, the 53surly has only a 2.5cm tt gain on the 50peugeot.. which makes me think it'll be a great switch (especially as for the last two years I've been doing what Sheldon calls "generally a bad idea" with the whole manipulating saddle position for a somewhat elongated tt).

for those guys saying they fit the 49 or are taller w/ the 53, how do you ride? in the drops? or w/ bullhorns/choppedmtb?

jpmartineau - thanks for the info. looking fwd to trying it out this week

idig - agreed that tt is most imp, but i was between the 53 and 56 and figured i could change out the stem if i needed to get it a bit shorter (at least that's what my lbs said would be better for my fit). plus for me at least before riding something around i have a hard time judging if the tt is too long/short for me.. i seem to just go w/ whatever i'm riding, but prob chalk that up to not knowing the diff.

I have risers and rode a set of bullhorns comfortably. Get the 49 and then try a few different stems to find out what reach you want then it will be a perfect fit. I would start around 80/90mm on the stem for you.I ride a 70mm but again i prefer to ride risers and sit more upright on the bike.

i am 6' and i ride a 56 steamroller...the guy at the bike shop measured me and compared the measurements to the masi bike they had in the shop...the bike fits me great, oh and i switched out the stock stem for a longer salsa stem, i think it's 100mm