Pretty much the title. I’m right on the cut off height between a 54 and 56 frame. If I use the Specialized site for example, their rec changes based on my shin length. I’m curious how others who are on these split points pick and what goes into the decision.
It’s easier to make a small bike ride bigger than it is to make a large bike ride smaller, in general. But you might want to look at other brands that are closer to your sweet spot.
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Depends on a few things like the specific bike and your own preferences and flexibility, what riding you’re doing etc etc…
But as someone perpetually between 54 and 56 myself, I almost always size down for a drop bar bike. A snappy and dynamic 54cm with a 110 stem and a bit less stack is a way more fun bike to ride IMO than a 56cm boat with a 90mm stem and a big ol’ head tube.
MTB I can go either way a bit more depending on the reach/ETT/wheelbase of the model in question.
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As the previous replies here, on a drop bar bike I usually go smaller. Especially a bike that is too long is hard to fix. Size recommendations by manufacturers also very often tend to point towards larger frame sizes than ideal, if you believe what fitters say.
It might also be a good moment to visit a bike fitter.
I prefer smaller.
I’d second the recommendation for a bike fitter.
I’m on the cusp of 56 and 58, but because of my shortish legs, long torso and arm length I end up needing at least a slammed 140mm stem. Many brands add very little reach with a 58, but loads of stack, which is a problem for me who’s looking for more reach and same stack, so I’ve ended up sizing down. A bigger frame might be great for someone else though!
You can also play around with some of the online geo tools to compare touch points.
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My rule of thumb is to go smaller, but with the caveat that you have to be careful about stack height.
You might want to check out BikeFitJames on YouTube. He’s reviewed some of the bike brands sizing guides and it’s fair to say most didn’t fair well.
That said, I’m in between sizes, and I often go bigger, but that’s because I seem to have proportionally short legs and/or like quite a traditional, relatively aggressive position, with fairly long reach for my height, but the flip side of that is that it can limit seat post exposure ( reducing compliance or dropper travel, depending on the bike).
And that’s kind of the thing - how you fit on a bike depends as much on what you prefer/need in your riding position as it does your height.