i am seriously thinking about getting a Jamis Aurora for fun riding in my area (very hilly) and some for touring of California (and beyond?). But since each bike company seems to have different ways of measuring their frames, does anybody know how Aurora frames compare. i am 5"10 with about a 32" inseam. My last roadbike was a 54cm (it was a steel framed Marin), which almost seemed a tad too small. Around town i ride a 20.5" giant Mt. bike, which seems big on paper but works great for around town. Also, i have a really tight IT band which i struggle with, even with aggressive stretching (though it is finally loosening up some). Any suggestions as to where to begin in frame size? Thanks.
derek

I'd start with a 55cm Aurora for a test ride and make your judgments from there.

I am 5'11" and my 55cm Aurora is pretty much spot on. If I were to change it would be to a slightly smaller size.

A "slightly smaller" size in an Aurora would be a 53cm...which would be rather weird for somebody your height. I'm only 5'6.25", and I'm in between a 50 and a 53cm. I'll be going with the 53cm because I prefer a slightly larger, rather than smaller bike. Btw, my PBH is 32", almost 33" with shoes. The standover on the 53cm gives me about an 1.5" clearance, which is fine for a touring bike. I do have to shorten the stem to 80mm, though. I would think that a 55 would be the smallest Aurora you should consider...unless you like riding a very small bike.

I have a Jamis Quest, 55cm and it fits fine. My height and inseam are within an inch of yours. I test rode a 55cm Aurora and it felt small. Take chipcom's advice and start there, but do ride the next larger size (or smaller, depending on how you feel on it), if only for comparisons sake. I think the Aurora is a fine bicycle. You have good taste.

I'm the same height and just the opposite. Since I use the Aurora primarily as a foul weather commuter and grocery hauler, I preferred the slightly quicker handling and manueverability associated with a smaller frame and shorter wheelbase. I did swap the stem out for a 90mm though. My PBH is also only 31" and the 53cm left me with negative standover while the 50 cm left me a fraction of an inch.

I tend to ride ever so slightly undersized bikes across the board though and made my choice by comparing frame dimensions and angles with my Soma. I will have it out for a couple of long weekends once again this year but until I start doing longer tours and carrying loads over 50 lbs., I don't need the added stability associated with the longer wheelbase and it's a perfect fit for my needs.

My 50cm Aurora has the same top tube length as my 48cm Soma and my 52cm Felt. I think theranman and the others are correct, the choice will be between a 55 and a 57 with the 55 being the more likely of the two.

Hi Derek,
My 53cm Aurora has worked well for my proportions - 5'8" with 32" inseam, and arms that are a bit longer than average. I have the handlebar set about level with the saddle. If the standover height of a 55cm frame suits you, my guess is that it may work better for you with your extra couple of inches in height over me. With hilly riding and touring in mind, I had the LBS swap out the stock crankset for a 48-36-24 at time of purchase. Try to test ride a 55cm and maybe even a 53cm and see which one you like better. I would recommend the Aurora as a good multipurpose bike choice. Cheers.

Cachehiker,

Actually, the wheelbase on the 50cm and 53cm is the same. The top tube on the 50 is 10mm shorter though.

I also didn't want the nearly 3/4" shorter headtube of the 50cm because I like my bars nice and high. Middle aged, ya know.