Race Geometry: Am I crazy?

[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.