Help! Carbon bike choices for me?

[Triskeliongirl]

I think manufacturers make these bikes with super steep STAs to fool people that don't understand the relationship between STA and TT length, making them think they are getting a bike with a shorter reach if the person is only comparing the TTs on two bikes, and not correcting for differences in STA. You are right, supposedly they started steepening the STAs in order to fit a 700c rear wheel, but heck, I have three terry bikes with 700c rear wheels and 73 degree STAs in sizes 44-48 cm! It should be eaiser with 650c. Furthermore, those same bikes they make with 76 degree STAs in small sizes come with 73 degree STAs in big sizes (look at a madonne geometry chart, for example). What's up with that? If the steeper angle was critical for performance you can be sure the guys would get it! I am maxed out at 73, even 74 is too steep for me, but its about balance on the bike. I need a slack STA to feel balanced, but I can see how someone with a shorter femur would be better balanced on a bike with a steeper STA. Lets not even talk about what they can do to HTAs on smaller bikes........ Lets just say I love my terrys.

[amy]

I'll start by saying I'm 6' with a 34" inseam, so my problems were nothing like the ones you present. But I absolutely LOVE my 2007 Trek Madone 5.0! I've only had it a week and love it more every day. I had to have the 56 men's frame and swapped out narrower handlebars and stem. But the WSD version comes in a 47 if you can still find one. The 2008 has been completely redesigned, so the 2007's are going at great savings.

[ilima]

I need a slack STA to feel balanced...

Yep, for me it's about balance. I owned a tri bike with a steep seat tube angle and short top tube (sold it to fund my current ride, a Merlin). To me a steep STA = too much weight on my hands. That didn't matter when I was riding in the tri position, but it was horrible to ride when not in the aero position.

One 'test' I use is whether I can ride no handed. I can't do it on a bike with a steep STA; my weight falls forward. It's much more comfortable when my weight is on my bum.

[LBTC]

Today we stopped in a BS in a nearby city and found an XS 2005 Argon Krypton (full CF) 105 groupo with American Classic CR 420 wheels.....for $2K. Since the wheels new would be around $900, it seems like a good deal. I didn't want Grandma to wait while I test drove it, so I don't know how exactly she *feels*, but she looks very sexy, and standing over her, she seems like a good size for me. Two potential downsides: she's got a 9 speed cassette, not 10; and she's blue. All of my bikes are black. hmmmmmmm

Any thoughts on Argon bikes?

H&B
~T~