Hello,
I am relatively new to cycling and have often come across the advice: "If you are in-between sizes, choose the larger one for a more relaxed fit and the smaller one for a more aggressive fit."
I am confused about how this works. I am 5 foot 7 (170 cm) with a 78 cm inseam and thought I should get a 52 frame, possibly even smaller. However, based on this advice, it seems a 53 or even 54 might be suitable for me. I don't race and prefer endurance cycling, often riding a hundred or more kilometers at a time. On my current 53 bike, I struggle to stay on the drops for long periods, feel stretched out, constantly reaching for the bars, and my position slides forward.
Is a larger frame with a relaxed fit better for long-distance riding? I find this hard to understand. Does the "relaxed" and "aggressive" terminology refer more to the wheelbase and the bike's responsiveness, or to how much you need to stretch to reach the bars?
Thank you for any clarification.
