Pompino sizing

[Piemaster]

Had a Pompino delivered yesterday, size L - 54cm. I'm 6'1" so sort of between sizes on their size chart.
Also had a sit on a Giant defy in lbs - they reckoned a M/L size for me, hence ordering the 54 pompino as it was closest to the defy geometry.
Looked a bit small getting it out of the box so offered it up against my current bike a Giant Escape and my sons Carrera Gryphon, both L, the top tube is around 2" shorter.

I'm now wondering if the 57cm would have been a better choice. I do realise that as flat barred bikes the top tube will be longer and if I built the Pompino up flat barred it probably would be a bit cramped, but if I build it with drops and possibly a longish stem (rather like look of Midge bar) would that get round the shorter TT?
Am I just seeing a problem were one doesn't exist? Bit unsure as it was 30 years ago since I last had a drop bar bike. Don't want to build it up and then find it's cramped for me.

 

[Radius]

as long as the height is alright, you should be able to make necessary space available horizontally by moving the seat back / forwards and using a different length stem where necessary, if it's not too far out measurement wise.

 

[yello]

Yes, the 57 might have been a better choice... I guess it depends on what you mean by better.

It's no big deal imo and, built up, the 54 can fit you just as well as a 57. As Radius is saying, you have sufficient adjustment in stem length, seat post height and saddle fore/aft to build a comfortable set-up.

Some people like bigger frames, some people like smaller frames. That's all really. Look at David Millar on hos time trial machine....

... it's diddy!

 

[Radius]

Wow! That is minute...

 

[jpembroke]

I'm 5'9" and my Pompino was a 51cm (M) with a 54cm top tube (I think). It fitted like a glove.

Oh why, oh why, oh why did I sell it?

 

[Piemaster]

Thanks for the help all. I'll just build it and see how it goes.