which road bikes...

[Skierchickie]

Elk,

I hear ya. I'm 5'-6 1/2", with about a 30" inseam, and WSD bikes (well, I've only tried Treks) do not fit me (okay, I don't fit them). My last 3 road bikes have been 50cm Treks, in order to get adequate standover clearance, with the stems swapped out for longer ones. And I can see the front hub in the wrong place, so I think the top tube is too short. But I am comfy. The WSD versions always make me feel extremely cramped. There may be a better-fitting bike out there for me, but my LBS sells Trek, and I'm kinda hooked on them. I did go to a Trek demo that they hosted a couple of weeks ago, and while talking to the WSD lady, she noticed me ogling the Madones. She wanted me to try a 54, and I said "I ride a 50! I'm sure I can't ride a 54!". She said "50?! That's way to small for you!" So she pulled out a 54 and had me stand over it - I was touching. Then she pulled out a 52, which seemed good, but I didn't actually ride it. They do have a slightly sloping top tube, so that would work to my benefit. However, since I can't possibly buy a new road bike yet (my 5200 would be soooo angry!), I had showed up in jeans to avoid riding anything I might fall in love with, so I resisted her pleas to put pedals on so I could ride it. In a couple/few years, when she comes back, and the time is right, I'll try a big variety.

Anyway, this summer I did buy a 520 for touring. They had a 21" in stock (about 53cm), which I did end up buying, even though I have pretty much zero clearance - on a touring bike, all my friends who have toured said it didn't matter, because you aren't exactly doing any quick maneuvers, hopping logs, etc while loaded! I was afraid it was just too big, but when I rode it, it felt great. The reach feels pretty good - I may even end up putting a shorter stem on. Overall, it is very comfy, and rides as smooth as butter. I vote for the shiny black bike!

[smilingcat]

Things to consider about building from frame and fork. Eden already pointed out her experience...

I think it's a good idea to keep in mind that the cost of building up from frame and fork is that the rest of the bike may cost more than the frame/fork itself.

I just picked up a K2 MOD 6 frame/fork for $200. A set of Xero Lite XR-1 wheel for $200 but the rest of the bike is going to cost me over a $1000 if I had to buy everything else. I have spare skewers, brake calipers... Still I may have to spend another $500 or so (only thing I sold when I "quit" cycling was my Ti frame bike with components I liked)

Anyway, it is always so much more satisfying to build it up with what you want. You have your "dream" bike. I don't want to spoil your fun with $$ so look on the bright side, it is really a lot of fun looking over catalogs, reading reviews, reading how-to's. so much window shopping you can do. It's like being a child again in Godiva and you have Mr. Hershey as your uncle!! How great is that!

Smilingcat

[elk]

well!

If you saw my "we did it!!" post in non-cycling...you know that I went out for some reality shoppping....and boy did I learn alot!!

-I learned that a road bike is WAY different than a hybrid...I crashed into a store window just trying to get ON the Surly..!! I then had the seat lowered so I wouldn't feel so bent and stretched..and by golly...I was riding in a matter of minutes...But very uncomfortably. My knees were like hitting my chin..!! But the bike moved beautifully.
-I learned that the Casseroll will not fit me
-I learned that that Trek 520 is great looking and I'm having a small size sent out to my branch of the LBS so I can try it.
-One of the guys from the store where I bought my Globe had me in a freakin tutorial...but I did learn A LOT!! He is an ex racer and an ex fitter who studied at the Serotta school and with Andy Pruitt....He told me I needed to test ride a lot and hop on the learning curve, he showed me how you lean instead of turn the bars, the posture for a road bike and where to keep my hands. He told me the Casseroll probably wouldn't work...like the Aurora, it wasn't a match. He did have me sit on a Seven they built with the stem a bit higher (it was ....ahem...titanium) and a Cannondale....and the Seven was sweet!!! He told me that certain bikes just don't work for certain people...and for me he liked the Seven, said he bet a Gunnar would be a good fit..and more to be determined.
-He told me I should go for a frame less than a 48 and a TT shorter than 52.
-I crashed several times today...but always into walls or windows and caught myself with my hand..and my whole body hurts!! It was a work out!!

what a caper!