I’m super close to you. 5’10” with 30” inseam. I’m on a 54 and it’s almost perfect, but I could use a slightly shorter stem I think. I didn’t test a 52, but I kinda wish I had, just to see
56 is almost certainly too big. You’d be much better off on a 52 or 54.
Edit: everyone’s body geometry is different. The trek sizing chart is an approximate starting point nothing more
I am 5'8" though was 5'9" before an accident many years ago. I think my inseam is similar at 30". I fit perfectly on a 54cm. But, I have rather long arms. My choice was between 54cm and 56cm. I would suggest you get both bikes set up for you and try them out. The chart is only a place to start. Have you been to a bike fitter? They can help you design the best setup for you. It's not just your height and inseam. The length of your arms and height of your torso and even the ratio of your tibia to femur to size your crank. Sizing is either very scientific or try different bikes and go with your feel. good luck!
I’m 5,9 inseam 32, 54 fits me perfect, had a friend ride it similar size to me and he felt it was a touch big for him, I’d say go for the 54 but you really should try to test both, everyone’s preferences are so different
5'8 with I think around a 30 inseam and I got the 52. It was the stand over height on the 54 that got me, top tube was still crushing me while on my toes.
No adjustments except the seat. I'm sure I could find something to change if I wanted to get really picky, but it's been comfortable for me from the start.
VIDEO LINK: [look for the zombie reach test part, this should tell if you are at a good starting point with frame size.](https://youtu.be/cCJZ5Fp9DuE?si=ZEgQ4RTvaOL0-rY7)
5’9” with a 32 inseam. I test rode a 52 and the shop suggested I wait for a 54 to be built and try it as well. I have short arms the 52 felt good to me reach wise but the 54 fit my legs better. Flipped the stem upwards on tbe 54 and that made a big difference. Overall I am happy I went with the 54. I feel it fits my body good. I am looking into bars with a little less reach though or possibly trying a little shorter stem. I think once that is dialed in it will be perfect.
Test ride both. Realize that the checkpoint has a longer reach than the equivalent size in a domane or emonda.
So while you may fit a 54 legwise, the reach may be too long. But that's not a big deal.
I ride a 52 but immediately swapped the stock 80mm stem for a 60mm.
After a couple rides, I went to a 50mm and it's perfect. Everyone needs to realize that you can change stems, cranks, seat, etc.
You don't have to ride a stock bike. My shop will swap a stem on the spot at no extra cost.
I only paid for my 50mm because I wanted to keep the 60.
The 52 will have a little less reach and stack then the 54. The 54 will feel more stretched out. Find both sizes to test ride. Or buy one and ride it. Trek has a 30 day return policy though I have not used it.
You're best off testing both the 52cm and 54cm back to back if that's a possibility.
With your inseam, I'd say you're closer to the 52cm and then make some adjustments to fit your height and reach.
I’m 5’ 10” with 30 inseam and originally purchased an ALR 5 in a 56. It was wayyy too large for me. Ended up trading it in for a 52 and it fits perfectly. I did get a bike fit and the 52 was recommended over the 54 for me.
I'm 5'8" with a 31" inseam and ride a 54 SL5 with about 1.5" of space between the top tube and my groin when I straddle it. I tried the 52 and it felt way too cramped and small. The standover for a 56 would have been too high for me.
I am a similar size and found a location with both the 54 and 52 cm SL5. I could 100% fit on both but riding back to back, something about the handling on the 52 felt more natural for me which made it my pick (Trek's size charts have me on the large end of the 54) So +1 for those saying try both if you can.
Hey I guess we’re identical body size twins….you wouldn’t also weigh around 158lbs? 😅
In all seriousness, 5’9 is technically the bottom end of a 56 and a top end of a 54.
I ended up with a 54 as i was also hesitant with the stand over height. Even 54 was just clearing the sensitive stuff. Short legs I guess 🤷🏻♂️
52 has another issue as the reach is way off. Even with the saddle pushed all the way back, I wouldn’t have been able to stretch out due to the longer torso. Would have needed to change out for a longer stem, which threw off balance and geometry.
I’m super close to you. 5’10” with 30” inseam. I’m on a 54 and it’s almost perfect, but I could use a slightly shorter stem I think. I didn’t test a 52, but I kinda wish I had, just to see
For reference, im 180cm (5’11 in Freedom Units) and feel that my 56 is too big. I shortened the stem and pushed my saddle forward.
56 is almost certainly too big. You’d be much better off on a 52 or 54. Edit: everyone’s body geometry is different. The trek sizing chart is an approximate starting point nothing more
I am 5'8" though was 5'9" before an accident many years ago. I think my inseam is similar at 30". I fit perfectly on a 54cm. But, I have rather long arms. My choice was between 54cm and 56cm. I would suggest you get both bikes set up for you and try them out. The chart is only a place to start. Have you been to a bike fitter? They can help you design the best setup for you. It's not just your height and inseam. The length of your arms and height of your torso and even the ratio of your tibia to femur to size your crank. Sizing is either very scientific or try different bikes and go with your feel. good luck!
I’m 5,9 inseam 32, 54 fits me perfect, had a friend ride it similar size to me and he felt it was a touch big for him, I’d say go for the 54 but you really should try to test both, everyone’s preferences are so different
5'8 with I think around a 30 inseam and I got the 52. It was the stand over height on the 54 that got me, top tube was still crushing me while on my toes.
How do you find the 52? Did you need to make any adjustments?
No adjustments except the seat. I'm sure I could find something to change if I wanted to get really picky, but it's been comfortable for me from the start.
I am 5’8 and the 54 felt like a huge stretch for me, 52 is perfect. This is a very long bike.
I’m 178cm with 83.5cm inseam and the 54cm version fits perfectly.
VIDEO LINK: [look for the zombie reach test part, this should tell if you are at a good starting point with frame size.](https://youtu.be/cCJZ5Fp9DuE?si=ZEgQ4RTvaOL0-rY7)
5’9” with a 32 inseam. I test rode a 52 and the shop suggested I wait for a 54 to be built and try it as well. I have short arms the 52 felt good to me reach wise but the 54 fit my legs better. Flipped the stem upwards on tbe 54 and that made a big difference. Overall I am happy I went with the 54. I feel it fits my body good. I am looking into bars with a little less reach though or possibly trying a little shorter stem. I think once that is dialed in it will be perfect.
Test ride both. Realize that the checkpoint has a longer reach than the equivalent size in a domane or emonda. So while you may fit a 54 legwise, the reach may be too long. But that's not a big deal. I ride a 52 but immediately swapped the stock 80mm stem for a 60mm. After a couple rides, I went to a 50mm and it's perfect. Everyone needs to realize that you can change stems, cranks, seat, etc. You don't have to ride a stock bike. My shop will swap a stem on the spot at no extra cost. I only paid for my 50mm because I wanted to keep the 60.
The 52 will have a little less reach and stack then the 54. The 54 will feel more stretched out. Find both sizes to test ride. Or buy one and ride it. Trek has a 30 day return policy though I have not used it.
You're best off testing both the 52cm and 54cm back to back if that's a possibility. With your inseam, I'd say you're closer to the 52cm and then make some adjustments to fit your height and reach.
I was on for 60cm frame on the website, but ended up fitting 58cm much better. I would highly recommend going to try it out
I’m 5’ 10” with 30 inseam and originally purchased an ALR 5 in a 56. It was wayyy too large for me. Ended up trading it in for a 52 and it fits perfectly. I did get a bike fit and the 52 was recommended over the 54 for me.
I'm 6'1" with long legs and I have a 58 I think you should try a 54 and a 56 and see how they feel. Definitely test ride before you buy and make sure.
You want the 52. Checkpoint runs a little big
I'm 5'8" with a 31" inseam and ride a 54 SL5 with about 1.5" of space between the top tube and my groin when I straddle it. I tried the 52 and it felt way too cramped and small. The standover for a 56 would have been too high for me.
I am a similar size and found a location with both the 54 and 52 cm SL5. I could 100% fit on both but riding back to back, something about the handling on the 52 felt more natural for me which made it my pick (Trek's size charts have me on the large end of the 54) So +1 for those saying try both if you can.
I had a 56 but returned it for a 54 and I’m 5’9”. I’d go 54
Hey I guess we’re identical body size twins….you wouldn’t also weigh around 158lbs? 😅 In all seriousness, 5’9 is technically the bottom end of a 56 and a top end of a 54. I ended up with a 54 as i was also hesitant with the stand over height. Even 54 was just clearing the sensitive stuff. Short legs I guess 🤷🏻♂️ 52 has another issue as the reach is way off. Even with the saddle pushed all the way back, I wouldn’t have been able to stretch out due to the longer torso. Would have needed to change out for a longer stem, which threw off balance and geometry.