Alright, so I went to a bike store today...not the one where I bought the bike, but the one I pass on my way home from work. I wanted to see what size bike they would get me to try. It started out pretty well--after asking me how tall I was the guy said, "So we''ll be looking for a 15" frame..." He thought I looked "cramped" (the seat was too low) so he got me to try a 17"...and he thought it seemed a better fit! But here's the best part: when I expressed my concern that the standover room was limited and the bar was perhaps too close to my crotch, he tells me that that doesn't matter, I just have to feel good on the bike!

I put up the seat on the 15" and rode it a bit in the parking lot. After getting used to the upright feel, I can really identify with what Limewave says...the 15" is more maneuverable while the 17" seems bulky in comparison...

I asked the bike store guy what the drawbacks were about having a bike that was too big or too small: his answer was sore back for too big (don't want that) or "easily tired" for too small (sounds okay to me!) Would you agree?

Thanks again everyone. I'll call the bike shop where I bought my 17.5" tomorrow...