Need help on bike size!!!

[silver]

I'd just want to challange your thought that she has a short torso....I'm 5'8" with a 34" inseam and I don't consider myself to have a short torso. I ride a regular trek madone (07) size 58cm (actual measurement is 55cm seat tube/top tube). I've shortened the stem though. Admittedly I've been professionally fitted to a regular size 54cm trek madone in the 08 model. Just a thought as you continue your process here.

[Flur]

I'm 5'7" and have a 32" inseam. I actually have a log torso and long arms. I ride a Bianchi 1885 (a mens frame), size 53, which has a 52.4cm top tube with a virtual measurement of 53.5cm and a seat tube of 50cm. I'm very comfortable with my reach and my seat height in relation to my handlebars, but if your measurements are correct, most of the 2-inch height difference between your GF and me is in the legs. My seat is about 3 inches higher than my handlebars, which really is pretty high... Granted, I ride a completely different bike, but I would think you're probably right about the seat being too high in relation to the bars on a 53.

Just to add, for what you'd be spending, you might want to look at custom frame builders...

[aicabsolut]

I'd just want to challange your thought that she has a short torso....I'm 5'8" with a 34" inseam and I don't consider myself to have a short torso. I ride a regular trek madone (07) size 58cm (actual measurement is 55cm seat tube/top tube). I've shortened the stem though. Admittedly I've been professionally fitted to a regular size 54cm trek madone in the 08 model. Just a thought as you continue your process here.

Yeah, I agree. I'm 5'7" with a 32.5 inseam, and I ride a men's 54cm Specialized Roubaix (54.8cm virtual top tube) with a 110mm stem. I have a lot of bend in my elbows to compensate for the head tube height, but this is comfortable for me. My femurs are a little on the short side, proportionately, so I have my saddle a tad on the forward side. In a more aggressive bike with a shorter head tube, I might go down to a 52. In a TT bike, I'd definitely pick 51-52, because of the different body position, to keep my elbows under my shoulders. I tried WSD bikes, and they were way too upright and cramped in the reach for me.

A friend of mine is 5'9" with closer to 34" inseam, and she definitely has a short torso. Her reach is further compromised by the titanium rods in her spine from a skiing accident, so she cannot get a very aero position and be able to keep her eyes up to see in front of her. She can still handle a few inches of handlebar drop. She rides a 57cm Madone WSD and loves it. In a men's frame, she might have to go as small as 54cm, depending on the company.

Have you looked at geometry charts to find something with similar numbers as the Orbea? If you can find a more common brand where you live with approximately the same geometry, you can use those for sizing and then have your shop order the right Orbea.