Jamis Aurora vs. Aurora Elite vs. Something Else

[GLC1968]

Xeney -

I think you should try a Terry. I know that they have shorter top tubes and that often equates with a 'cramped' feeling...but it's more than that. I ride a 19' Isis and while I'm not typical, I was able to make it work.

Unlike the typical woman, I actually have short legs and a long torso, but I also have short arms. If I were taller overall, I could probably make *some* men's bikes fit (they just don't make enough of them in 48cm or smaller). My first bike was a 49cm Fuji and it just wasn't right. My second bike was a 44cm Specialized Dolce (WSD) and it wasn't right either. My third (and final, until I can afford custom) is the Terry. I picked the frame size that was the closest and then went from there. For me, I have to use certain saddles and a zero-set back seat post to get the saddle close enough for proper leg alignment. Obvsiously someone with more average length legs wouldn't have to do this. Then I had to put a longer stem on to compensate. Lastly, because of the shape and angle of my pelvis, I needed a slacker STA that I was finding on any other WSD bike in my size range. I think that it's the good design overall of the Terry frame that allowed me to dial-in what I needed.

I am not a long leg/short torso woman...but I did find comfort on a Terry frame. It might be worth a shot for you. They really are like no other frame out there and you never know! I would suggest trying to get set up on whatever frame your LBS caries and if it works, then ordering a steel one if that's what you want. The Isis geometry is the same on both frame materials.

[dex]

Have you looked into the Soma Smoothie ES at all? Soma describes it as a "less aggressive road sport geometry", but the stuff that made me think of it for what you describe included: steel frame, choice of steel or carbon fork, rack and fender mounts, and it will fit up to 32c tire with fenders. And because it's not specifically a cross or touring bike, it seems to have a wider selection of sizes to choose from.

Here's the description from the Soma site:
http://somafab.com/extrasmoothie.html

And here's the geometry charts: (the page is kind of a mess, you'll have to scroll down the page to find the right model)
http://somafab.com/geometry03.html

There's also a page that lists their dealers, and it looks like they have several in Sacramento (and a big bunch around the Bay Area, in general).
http://somafab.com/somadealersca.html

I've actually been thinking about getting one of these frames and a steel fork to build up into commuter/light tourer, but don't tell my road bike. She's demanding new wheels before I do anything else with my bike budget.

[KnottedYet]

Somas are lovely. I was yearning for their DoubleCross (the equivalent of a Surly Cross Check, in fact Surly copies Soma according to my LBS #2).

[xeney]

Ohhh. I did look at Soma, but only the Doublecross, which does not come in a size that will work for me. The Smoothie ES in a 50 cm would fit me, I bet. My husband is dying to build me a bike (he just did a frame-up build of his latest road bike) and wanted me to look at Soma in particular. I am going to have him look at this and see what he thinks.

Thank you, dex!