Are Bianchi EV3 frames considered a compact frame? They have a slightly sloping TT yet come in many sizes. I'm looking at either a 53cm or 55cm but don't know which would offer a better fit. My first road bike was a compact frame Schwinn Fastback Comp Medium with a long (110 or 120, can't remember) stem.

I'm 5'9", 30.75" inseam. I've looked at the various sizing websites referenced in past posts and they only confuse me more. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I rode a 2003 Campione in a 57cm. It has the same sloping top tube and was very comfortable. I don't think they are "as compact" as a Giant in the fact that they do have several sizes. It was equipped with a 110 stem, with the stem plus the actual tt as being 66 cm (tt of 550 and stem at 110). I thought it was a little short, but my fragile back didn't mind. I was stupid and sold the bike, which I regret. They sit a little low, being that they are compact. I could have ridden a 59, in fact, probably would have been the more correct size. Standover shouldn't be a problem, but check on the tt length. I have heard that the numbers are sometimes inconsistent. My bike fit perfectly, so I bought it.

Good luck!

I have the bianchi boron xl, in a 55cm with a 100 stem, the bike fits perfectly. The top tube slopes slightly, and gives the frame a somewhat compact look, however, the boron xl was offered in 9 or 10 different sizes when i bought it. I had the bike sized like any other road bike, the only difference is I have more clearence at the top tube than a traditional frame would offer. In short they are compact but you dont have to settle for sm, m, lg and then use stem length to adjust reach, by the size that has the top tube you need and you should be able to fit the bike perfectly without exagerating anything. Hope all this helps.

Just because a frame has a sloping TT (like the Bianchi) does not mean that It can't come in just as many size as a conventional frame with a horizontal top tube.

Are you sure about that 30.75 inch inseam? Is it measured to saddle-like crotch contact in bare feet? If so, those are some short legs.

If Schwinn hasn't changed the geometry of the fastback comp recently, the size M has a 73.5 degree seat tube angle (STA) , 73 degree HTA, 56.3cm TT length and a 155mm head tube length (with an integrated headset). The standover height is 29.5 inches. There website has all critical information except the fork rake.

http://www.schwinnbike.com/products/bikes_detail.php?id=406

The Bianchi website has a poor geometry drawing that fails to list the critical head tube length. The other critical dimensions to compare with your Schwinn are quite clear, but I see a potential problem. The 57cm Bianchi has nearly identical dimensions to the size M Schwinn, but the standover height is 32 inches, or 1.25 inches MORE than your inseam.

You would have to go all the way down to a 53cm to get a 30.5 inch standover height, that you could barely straddle.

http://www.bianchiusa.com/ev3_aluminum.html

I suggest you go to the colorado cyclist website and read up on proper inseam measurement. http://www.coloradocyclist.com/bikefit/ If your inseam is really that short, you have a very long torso that will make it difficult to find a frame that you can straddle with a long enough top tube. Look for other frames like the Schwinn that have a more exteme sloping geometry, perhaps Giant.