Frame Size Advice Please

barney shamrock

Hi I'm taking up cycling again after a nearly 10 year hiatus and I'm hoping to build up my own bike from scratch.
I've been looking at this forum for a while and i hope you guys can help me.
I'm looking at two types of frame, a 54cm traditional and a 53cm sloping.

The top tube on the 54 trad is 55cm c to c and the top tube on the 53 sloping is 56 c to c.

I'm 5'9" with a 30" inside leg.
I'm wondering which frame would fit me better?
I would like to go for the sloping frame as its more modern but i'm wondering if its too big and i'd be stretched or would it be ok with a short stem fitted?
I suppose i have a long torso and shorter legs so maybe its ok?
Thanks i hope someone can help me.

Lumen

It depends how sloping - you need to compare "equivalent horizontal top tube lengths".

Then use a size chart like this (I find that size chart suggests frames a little small, but YMMV).

Edit: sorry, you have the horiz lengths already. I would have thought the 56 would be on the large size for your height.

sexpot

I'd recommend actually going for a proper fitting. i thought I was a 56 cm but then when I went over to Mercian, I found out I've got a longer bottom half than top half, 58 - 54. Anyway, I'd recommend a fitting, will make your cycles more comfortable.

Greyspoke

I'd be almost the exact same dimensions as you, down to the longer top half and tend to go for a top tube no longer than 550mm with a 100/110mm stem which seems to fit well. It is important to compare horizontal measurements with sloping top tube frames for an accurate comparison.

barney shamrock

Thanks lads