Found what i assume to be a pretty dec deal online for a new steamroller, 59 cm. I've ridden the 56, which felt nice, but my friend who owns it is quite a bit shorter than I am thus leading me to believe a 59 cm bike could work for me. I am 6'0 and 150 lbs, (and a n00b; trying not to spend more than $550, that's why this deal seems pretty ill). Opinions?

Did the reach to the handlebars while sitting in the saddle feel good? Your buddy might be shorter than you, but your torsos might be the same length. Standover height is important, but not the most important measurement. Just so you know, I ride a 49CM Steamroller and I'm 5'6".

What's your inseam? The 56Cm Steamroller is 31.8 inches.

I'm no master at fitting people to frames, but if it felt good I'd consider picking up the bike. Parts can always be swapped to fine tune fit.

Halfro's right. The fit issue on Steamrollers is usually reach rather than standover. They tend to run long compared to other frames.

That's a tall bike. Most 56 bikes I've owned were an 1" or more smaller.

Word. He is shorter but I'd also venture to say his inseam much shorter than mine as I'm lanky and have long legs. I wear a size 32 pant so my inseam is probably around 34 (?) total i suppose. Additionally I haven't ridden many bikes; the 56 felt okay, but for all I know the 59 could be better. I appreciate the help though- if anyone else has any practical experience it'd be awesome. i have just felt, as halfro said, if the 56 felt good I should go with that, but I don't want to pass up a deal because of a really only perceived issue

Felt good- normal at least. definitely not uncomfortably small, but still could maybe do fine with slightly larger.

Are you buying it at a Local Bike Shop (LBS)? They should be able to measure your inseam. Again, inseam is not everything. If you haven't ridden many bikes it probably will not be the end of the world to get a smaller bike. when you get more experienced you'll know what feels right.

When I was a kid my parents always got me an 18inch mountain bike because I'd grow into it. I never did, haha. I ride about a 16 or 14 mountain bike. Which one felt better? To tell you the truth it didn't matter because I was having fun. If you're not racing or do super miles on the bike you can get away with anything (okay, there is a limit).

Ride you friends 56CM again. Is his stock? The 56CM Effective top tube is 22.4 inches and the 59CM is 23.1. So the reach between a stock 56CM and 59CM is less than an inch. And the difference in stand over is a little over an inch.

Smaller bike will be more agile and a bigger bike will feel more stable. I like riding smaller bikes...

I am 5'11" with a 32" inseam (no shoes) and fit well on a 56cm. I'd say 56cm would be comfortable for 5'9" on up to 6'1" or so (depending on distribution). At 6', I'd think 56cm, but could be wrong.

this size difference seems almost inconsequential...

I'm 6'2" and I ride a 60cm surly pacer. The top tube and seat tube are pretty close to what the measurements on the 59cm steamroller are. The 60 fits me great, so I would say if you prefer a larger frame, get the 59, and if you like a smaller frame get the 56. I don't see why either one wouldn't fit fine.

i am 6' riding a 56cm and i have a 32" inseam...fits like a glove
hope this helps
i would get fitted for one professionally though

I'm 6'1" and have a 34" inseam. I ride a 59cm Steamroller with about a fistful of post showing and a short-ish 100mm stem. I love the way it fits. I think I would love it more with a 110mm stem.

Solid find on the SR for 550. You'll love the ride, it's a great bike. I have a 56cm and it fits me like a glove, I tried the 53 and the 58 before settling on this one. If you can take it for a spin to feel it out. Bring an allen wrench to lower/raise the seat if need be. Goodluck!

59cm steamroller
6' tall
34" inseam

hope it helps