bike frame size advice please.

[Asposium]

Looking to purchase a Spesh sequoia elite over the weekend.
Comparing with my Litespeed (LS) road bike with the Spesh I am either a 52cm or a 54cm

Reach of the LS is 392mm with the 52cm being -4.2mm, and the 54cm being +4.9mm
Stack of the LS is 554mm with the 52cm being +12mm, and the 54cm being +30mm

52cm bike has a 90mm stem, so could fit a 100mm stem if more reach were needed.
Spesh has riser drop bars, so fitting "normal" drop bars would reduce the hand height.

Having spoken with the shop, they suggest a 52cm
Without being able to try the bike I am thinking tending to agree.

What do you guys think?

[Chew]

Without being able to try the bike

Find somewhere you can at lease sit on the bike

Forget the stats and get out a tape measure on your current bike. then measure up the bike you're thinking of buying.

Usual rule that it's easier to make a small bike bigger than a big bike smaller.

Does your current bike feel big/small/right

[Asposium]

Does your current bike feel big/small/right

current bike feels fine.

I am tempted to go with the 52cm, as the -4.2mm reach might be better on a bikepacking bike than the +4.9mm reach of the 54cm

[jameso]

The 30mm added stack of the 54mm might be felt / a benefit much more than +/-5mm of reach, which tbh I wouldn't notice after a few miles if at all and it's is less than most bars vary by. Raising the stem 15mm reduces reach by a similar amount anyway. But yeah, as Chew says, try one/them.

[Alpinum]

What jameso and Chew say.

Having tested a bunch of bikes lately, I was amazed about the difference I felt when riding, albeit near identical numbers.

If you have the chance, go for a spin, be it just a short one.

[Asposium]

Bike shop had a fitting bike that could be adjusted to match any bike.
Set it up as a 56cm sequoia.
Felt ok.
Then changed to a 54cm sequoia, the change was very subtle but very noticeable.
Sat on a 54cm, felt fine though.
As the sho said I was a 56cm I drove to the other branch where they had a 56cm in stock.
That bike I could test ride outside.
Was the base model; however, felt a lovely bike to ride.
Would price match internet, so bike ordered.
Get it ready for Iceland, and job done.

Even able to order the Dura ace shifters and calipers for the other bike build.

Happy boy.

[jameso]

good result for trying one out at a good shop then.