I only know what I know the hard way, from having so much damn trouble finding a bike that fit, which for me was a custom bike friday. After it was stolen, I was prepared to go purchase a carbon fiber racing bike, and the more bikes I rode the more I realized what a big problem I had. So, I had to learn about bike geometry to solve the problem (granted my brain likes techie things too).

I analysed the geometries of the bikes that worked for me in the past, and those that didn't. I noticed the ones that worked all had slack STAs, short top tubes, small front wheels, and a medium amount of trail. So, I scoured the published geometries of all the bikes out there, and that was why I ended up going back to terry (I had a classic before buying my custom bike friday), this time for a titanium isis. I too am not that short, 5 ft 4.5", and I have this problem. I didn't even trust a custom frame builder to get it, what if I ordered a custom bike and hated it? I only ordered the terry cuz they gave me a 30 day return guarantee and I've never looked back. Then I loved it so much I picked up a steel isis on ebay for a song, and had a framebuilder install s/s couplers to solve my travel problem.

Maybe someday I'll let Margo build me a bike. I think its so great she is now an active member of TE. I think she gets it too, judging by how happy Lisa is with her bike, and it would be great if I could have 650 c wheels, but right now I am putting 2 kids through college, and I LOVE MY TERRY BIKES, even with their funny small front wheels! And to be honest, if I got another bike it would to go superlight and sleek, i.e. carbon, and I think Margo only works in steel. So, my terry isis bikes are probably it, but I love them so much I really don't get bike lust all that much anymore. Sure, I like how the modern bikes LOOK, but I know they won't work for my body.