Advice on choosing a new bike

[cosc]

Thanks for your imput, TE biking sisters.
Jamis Aurora might be a possibility. The only in stock Aurora I tried for size seemed to fit better than the Surlys, although still long in reach.

The Terry Isis Sport might be a good fit. It has rear seatstay bosses and eyelets on front and rear for racks. No room for fender, except for clip-ons. Gearing is low for touring. Carbon fork and wheels might not be the best for touring with much weight. Of course most my riding is recreational training and very light touring so a good fit and stable ride would be A+ in my book. I'm anxious to hear some reviews about the 2008 steel terry bikes.

The Luna bikes sound wonderful. If I went custom I couldn't impulse buy, right.
I'd indeed to learn patience waiting to save money and have the bike built.

About 200 miles down the road a bike shop has different sizes of rivendell's Bleriot. Any riders seen these bikes or know anything about them?

Thanks for reading if you've made it this far. I get long- winded thinking on paper.

[elk]

I love that Waterford is making the steel frames for the new Terrys

I have an Aurora and I love it... I wanted a comfortable steel touring bike that I could learn to ride long distances on..as well as get up and down the hills of my neighborhood. I have no complaints

As far as the Bleriot??? I think its what they're using to replace the Ranbouillet for the present...and if I had a chance to try one out...I'd go for it. Being a Rivendell fan.

[KnottedYet]

Same measurements as you, except my superior sternum to superior pubic bone length is about an inch longer.
I have long arms as well as long legs.

Ride: 56 cm Kona Dew, 20 inch Kona Smoke, 53 cm Waterford X-12, 52 cm Surly Cross Check.
(Dew is aluminum, everything else is steel)

Changing stems on the Waterford and Surly let me really fine-tune the fit.

[cosc]

Elk, on a warm day I think I will go test ride the pretty Bleriot, which is many miles away.

The terry bikes $$ quite a bit, but would be worth it if the fit was right.

Knotted, wish I was close and I'd test ride your rigs. My arms and hands are more in the average length. I'm hoping for a bike without oddles of seatpost showing and a short, stubby stem.

I'll be quick to test ride as soon as we get out of the deep freeze and shops get in their new spring bikes. Looking forward to easter!!!!!!!!

[ehirsch83]

I would check out the 2007 specialized Roubaix. They are made for distance riding, more of a comfort road bike- not aggressive like a race bike. The 2008s are all out, so you could probably get a comp or expert right in your price range.