Custom vs Stock for first bike?

[Trek420]

boy, can't argue with that sage advice.

You could try but you will never win. Knott is very wise.

Lots of good ideas here. There's custom and then there's customized and both can be grand. I'm 5' nuthin". My namesake Trek 420 was Trek's entry level road bike, one of few choices available at the time. I don't think I knew custom existed. In time it's own mother would not have recognized it But when it got stolen and I went full custom.

What little I know about bike fit I learned obsessing about upgrades with my LBS and right here on TE So I bought low and threw time and money at it My custom bike is wonderful but the old Trek was no less mine, beautiful in its own way, rode wonderfully well and was unique.

I vote for test ride a lot of bikes, find the right one, get it fit and take off from there. And as always we want to hear the test ride reports.