ThurberMingus

I know I'm supposed to consult the fit calculator, but my results were inconclusive.

I'm buying a Surly Steamroller, and I'm not sure if I should go with the 53 (54.7tt) or the 56 (56.8tt). I'm 5'9-10 and have an inseam of around 31.5. I'm currently on a 56 Windsor the Hour which has a 53 seat tube with a handful of seat post showing. The 56tt feels okay, but I'm worried that the longer top tube of the Steamroller will be too long. At the same time I'm worried that the 54.7 will be too short. I do like the feel of smaller bikes, but I'm not sure if the 54.7tt will be too small.

If it matters I will mostly be riding with zero-drop bullhorns.

Wspsux

probably the 54.7 if you're going bullhorns

ThurberMingus

I also use risers and drops occasionally, but bullhorns are my favorite. 54.7 and a long stem should be fine then?

Wspsux

Best to get on both sizes for a ride if you're in between. Only way I'd feel comfortable making the purchase BUT I'm neurotic.

50voltphantom

This. If it is a tad short a longer stem will get you where you need to be most likely.

I'm 6' on a 56cm Steamroller. I actually had to change to a short stem when I switched to bullhorns.

heymatthew

I just got a 2012 Masi Uno and went with a 56cm. I'm 6'1ish with a 32" inseam and the 56 felt surprisingly good. Usually a 57 or 58 is my size, but I really liked how the 56 felt with a little more seat height. I don't feel as stretched out and the bike feels tight and nimble, which is how I like my bikes to feel. My last road bike was a 59cm and I always felt a little too stretched out on it.

I'd say go down as you may find that it's easier to make a smaller bike fit easier than it is to make a larger one fit.

GENESTARWIND

fail advice.

use the fit calculator off the stickies to figure out which length toptube is best for you.

heymatthew

I've used a fit calculator before and I'm still in between sizes. My height puts me in a larger bike, but my inseam, arm length and/or torso length put me into something different. Really, the best way to determine a bike size is to ride. But, as said above, you can always get a little longer stem to extend your reach on a frame that's a CM too small, versus not being able to shrink a bike that's too big (I once bought a 61cm based on a fit calculator and it was WAY too big for me).

Also, I prefer a slightly smaller bike, YMMV.

GENESTARWIND

the general consensus from the more experienced folk around here is its easier to make a smaller bike bigger than a bigger bike smaller.

also remember that top tube length is far more important that seat tube length. as you will be sitting on the bike not standing over it while riding it.

heymatthew

This is what I've always found with my bikes.

ThurberMingus

I decided to go for the 53 with a marginally larger stem. I rode a few bikes today with 56 seat and top tubes and they're just tpp big for me. The fit calculator wants me to get something with a 57cm top tube and I feel way too uncomfortable on a bike that big. I should have the Steamer going by the end of this week. Pics to follow!

ThurberMingus

Follow up: I got the 53, I feel I made the right choice. I absolutely love this bike. I will post pics in the FGSS megathread tomorrow when it's sunny. Mods feel free to kill this thread or whatever. Question answered.