Hi everyone. I've been a long time lurker - but besides my intro this is my first official post. So apologies in advance that it has to be a rant...

But why why why is it so hard to find a bike that fits? I can't be THAT much of a freak?

I am 5'6" with a 84.5cm inseam (measured in socks) 60cm arms, and tiny little hands. I had a fit done and they recommended a bike with no more than a 50cm top tube. Do you know how hard it is to find a bike with that short of a top tube? We're talking about a steel framed bike with drop bars.

Not to mention that I've tried at least a dozen bikes - and I hate the feel of the models with a sloping top tube - which is the other thing all the bike shops want to put me on.

My current disaster is a Rawland size (Med-56) with a sloping 56cm top tube which I've spent literally $$$$'s of dollars on trying to make it fit. After getting a professional fit done It now looks absolutely ridiculas with a tiny short 40mm MTB downhill stem - picture handlebars touching the steerer tube, 38cm short reach shallow drops, zero setback seatpost - and it still isn't quite right.

So what to do - what to do?? Are my measurements really that freaky? Any recommendations in the less than $1200 range? Help??

Thanks!
SpinSpinSugar