Ana, I'm currently in the process of getting a custom frame--a titanium Moots--with the hope that it will be "the bike.". Like you, I've only had one road bike and was unsure of whether I knew enough to venture into the world of custom. I'd note that I wanted a custom bike in part because standard geometries don't quite work work for me. I also decide to go custom because there are limited options out there in titanium frames.

Unlike you, I've worked extensively on my current bike with a fitter. He has a good understanding of the problems I've had with fit, what kind of riding I do and what we've tried to do to address my fit issues. it. I would note that some of my fit issues, however, are unrelated to the frame itself, but instead have to do with the "q-factor" (or width) of my crank.

I largely chose to go with Moots because my fitter works for the shop that serves as the Moots dealer here. I just felt more comfortable going that route. I don't think, it's necessary, however. A good builder should be able to work directly with you without a middleman. Still, I think having worked with a fitter who helped me understand my unique fit issues, which in turn gave me a better understanding of what issues we wanted the custom bike to solve. Some of those solutions were addressed by the frame itself; some by the components that we chose.

The part of the custom process that was harder for me was articulating how I wanted the bike to handle. IMO, this is where my limited frame of reference was most evident. Did I want a bike that was stable or responsive? Stiff or compliant? While I talked to my fitter at length about these things, it remains to be seen whether I chose wisely.

I still think it might be to your benefit to get a comprehensive fitting on your current bike, if only to make that bike better to ride. Once the bike is set up properly, it will give you a better frame of reference about fit if and when you go the custom route. It may also tell you whether you even need to go custom.