Standover height question

Hey Slylvain, tricky question indeed. Usually one buys a size down from their appropriate road bike size for cross and gravel. Your dimensions seem to be similar to mine (however, everyone is built differently, not to mention riding style and personal preference...) I also fit between M&L in mountain bikes and typically ride a 58 road bike. My straggler is a 56 and it's been perfect despite my hesitations of buying a bike that's "too small". Standoverheight according to Surly's site is 809.4 (or 31.9"). On my last two bikes, I have based my purchases based mostly on effective top tube length. The fit has been better and as a direct result, has made me happier. \n \nHope this was helpful. Ride on!

Thanks Draxula. Yes it helps. Between 31" and 32" SHO should be fine as long as the effective top tube length is fine. That was the case with the MEC. Maybe it's the "one". But I also just noticed the Kona Private Jake which is really nice although $400 more.

I come from an extensive road and mountain bike background.  In my opinion, you want a bike that fits you (perfectly).  For road bikes (and mtn) this used to be primarily determined by seat tube length and, to an only slightly lesser extent, the top tube length.  More recently it is primarily determined by stack and reach measurements as well as top tube length.  Once you find a bike that fits you, then you can get into the standover height as well as other metrics such as head tube length, wheelbase, trail, etc.

Personally, I pretty much ignore all of the manufacturers sizing whether it is S, M, L or in cms.  And their recommend rider heights as well.  As an example, my old Santa Cruz Superlight was a Med, my Pivot Mach429C is a Sm and my Ridley X-Trail is an XS.  For sizing in cms, I usually just go by top tube length (effective or horizontal for bikes w/sloping TTs) as seat tube measurements are all over the place.  That is, all of my road bikes have a 53cm top tube.

I do agree that a lower SOH is nice but isn't as important as on a mtn bike - generally due to riding in less technical terrain.  But, of course, only you can decide that based on your riding style and terrain.  If you are in between sizes, I would recommend rounding down.  That said, there a lot of online resources to take body measurements.  And often a shop, including REI, can take some quick measurements often w/a basic fit kit.  Generally you want at least your pubic bone height (PBH), torso length and arm length.

Finally, when comparing bikes, I set up a spreadsheet with most if not all of the geometry measurements.  It makes it easier to compare for me.  For gravel bikes, wheelbase, chain stay length and, especially for gravel bikes, bottom bracket drop are often decision points. 

Hope this may help.

PS - Standover height is a function primarily of tire diameter, bottom bracket height and degree of slope of the top tube.  Other factors include head tube length, seat tube length, and, I'm sure, some other factors.  Accordingly, you can have two bikes with the same standover and one may fit you perfectly and the other not.  Or two bikes both of which fit you but with very different standover height.  So you want the latter - find two bikes that fit you perfectly and then perhaps chose the one with the lower standover assuming that is an important selection criteria for you.

DrSpoke,
Thanks for the reply. I do have a spreadsheet with dimensions and specifications that are important to me. I am in the process of pruning it down. Some bikes I finally saw that I don't visually like and others that are not easy to get here in Canada.

I also tried a CrossRip LTD 54cm. It felt fine even though I should ride a 56cm. My LBS owner recommended the 56cm as well.

I have dismissed the Kona Jake the Snake and now am trying to decide between the Trek 720 and MEC Provincial Road 222.

The latter is the one I prefer the most aesthetically and spec wise. Being in a mainly urban area far from secondary roads the 720 is probably the wisest choice but I really like the MEC.

If I did not have a good deal on Trek bikes I probably would have already decided.

Cheers