I was partly just saying that about the ML size just to shock you. Your "sounds just about right" Sort of made me want to be snarky.
Though the medium might have been a little better fit. But with out seeing you on both bikes I'd not really know.
Likely the previous owner had the steerer tube cut after removing the spacers that it came with. I just put mine on top the stem so I can change my mind if I ever want to at a later date. Looks dorky I know, but hey, I won't have to spend big bucks to solve that issue.
You might look at riser handle bars and a more angled stem. Riser handlebars alone can get you a couple cm or so higher. And bars and stem will likely be way less than a new fork.