Quote Originally Posted by Cari
It does sound a bit off that Suesi would be 5'5" and an XS, but keep in mind that it's a men's bike so the sizes cover a very wide range -- the XL is equivalent to sizes 63-67cm, for persons who are 6'3" to 6'7" tall! According to Giant's page on compact sizing, the XS is equivalent to a 49-51cm frame, and her inseam puts her right within that range. Also the size Small has a 29.8" standover, so she wouldn't even be able to stand over the top tube.
Ahh, I didn't realize that (and was too hurried to check out Giant's web page). I was thinking it was a women's bike. Yes, if she can't even stand over the Small, that certainly wouldn't work.

It's also possible her inseam measurement is off - 29" sounds very short for someone 5'5". I have seen posts from gals here who are 5' to 5'2" with inseams in the 28-30" range. Most gals my height (5'2.5") seem to have inseams around 29" as well. So that may need to be re-measured. She might find she can stand over the Small in actuality.

Quote Originally Posted by Cari
Also make sure they don't push the seat *too* far back in order to make the bike feel artificially long, because that can throw the vertical alignment of the knee and the pedal spindle out of whack.
True, but that all depends on her proportions. I have my saddle all the way back on all my bikes (and some also have setback seatposts as well) in order to get my knee over the pedal spindle properly. I doubt the LBS will check that measurement with a plum bob, but if they would, it might indicate she needs that seat pushed back, as I do.

Good luck, Suesi, and keep us posted!

Emily