Race Geometry: Am I crazy?

[Thorn]

OK, yes, the price of the bike is high. But, if I weigh that out to what my bike does for me, it's so worth it! Physical health and mental well being--plus just joy.

Yep....and then calculate how much time you spend on the bike...you want it to fit well and you want to enjoy it, but now that we know your price range...I agree with Tulip (again--she's a wise woman). Go custom.

My bike is custom steel and it is wonderful.....smooths the bumps but still has that get up and go. I happen to live 20 minutes from Waterford, WI so I ride a Waterford. Luna was my second choice, but if I have the chance to be fit directly by the builder, I went Waterford (but, Margo, I still have dreams of a scream orange cyclocross beauty).

A custom builder can tweak that frame just for you, not just in fit, but also in how it handles (twitchiness), performs (kicks), and rides (smooth). If you have the money, you cannot spend it better. Call Margo.

[Miranda]

... why not go custom?

...I agree with Tulip (again--she's a wise woman). Go custom.

A custom builder can tweak that frame just for you, not just in fit, but also in how it handles (twitchiness), performs (kicks), and rides (smooth). ...Call Margo.

I really had not considered that at all. I was thinking a custom build would be much much more than a stock carbon bike. I just totally put the idea out of my head. I don't really know that much about the process. (I am familiar with Margo's post though).

The price range is pushing it, but when I look at some lesser priced carbons, I think would this keep me happy? Or would I have wished I had just upgraded on this bike and be settled. But, when you start talking about the bike being built for you, well... that's a whole different ball game.

One of my gym pals from spin class, who is a very good cyclists, has a custom steele. I didn't know this. After class this w/e I asked her about her frame size because we are pretty close build (same height, same inseam with short legs, long torso, etc.). I just figured she rode a nice carbon. I don't know who built the steele for her.

Steele was something I had not considered as light, fast, or smooth. Well, I still have my old steele 10 speed from being a kid hanging on hooks in my garage. Of course she's dead heavy. Was just a cheap bike. But, I do actually feel what little I've ridden her in recent past she is smoother over bumps than my aluminum. Hmmm--my brain kinda hurts now. Btw, thx though... I post here because of getting advice I'd never thought of on my own.

[OakLeaf]

yeah... I spent that much on a custom steel bike from a small unknown framebuilder in 1987 (I mean, I had over $3K in the whole bike by the time it was built). I don't think it would get you custom now. I could be wrong, but definitely price out the whole bike before you commit to a frame.

The Synapse is a decent bike for a very reasonable price. The WSD bike has pretty relaxed geometry, yet it's plenty responsive and I don't notice a lot of wasted energy. I assume you'd be going for the men's version though the way you described your build. I don't know much about that bike, but since Cannondale has racier bikes in men's geometry, the Synapse may be a bit more relaxed.

[Thorn]

Hmmm--my brain kinda hurts now.

Ah, ladies, our job here is done

Steele was something I had not considered as light, fast, or smooth. Well, I still have my old steele 10 speed from being a kid hanging on hooks in my garage. Of course she's dead heavy. Was just a cheap bike.

Seriously, though, today's steel isn't the steel of your childhood. Margo can go through the nitty gritty, but today's steel is lighter and a good builder can work miracles. My steel bike is a few pounds lighter than the Cannondale aluminum it replaced. And I'm big (I ride a 58/60cm frame). I seem to recall you said 29" inseam? There isn't that much frame there. The weight of the frame will not be a huge factor.

But, seriously, if custom steel ends up on your radar, drop over to the Terry website. Not for the bikes (you don't sound like a WSD fit), but because Georgina Terry has two interesting interviews with Richard Schwinn (Waterford Bikes) on the today's steel.

[tulip]

$3-5k is alot of money to spend on a nice bike. Check out Luna's site, as well as Waterford. You can easily push a Seven, IF, or Serotta to $7k, but there are plenty of awesome custom builders, and many bikes in your range. Go custom.