I've built myself a few bike frames up from scratch. I've also swapped a ton of parts around on bikes that I've kept. It always ends up more expensive than you think it will be. Bike components are expensive, I shop around, get used pieces, use my spare parts, whatever...

ONe of them did end up to be too small in the top tube for me. I thought it would be fine because I was just going to commute on it - but it wasn't a bike that I wanted to keep long term. Bottom line is I've learned a lot about bike fit and what I want out of a bike... And it's worked for me. I can now look at the measurements and specifications of a frame and know whether I am going to like it. Does your trek fit you well? You can base what geometry you need off that. You could pay for a professional fitting that determines the optimal geometry of a frame for you... And you can work on getting a bike that matches those measurements yourself. They will probably suggest some that work. Test ride a lot of bikes.


I don't know how the used market is over in the UK... but what I've done sometimes is get a used bike that has the components I want (shimano 105 or ultegra level, whatever) at a good price. Then I wait for the frame I want to pop up... And swap all the components from the donor bike onto the frame I want - and sell the donor bike frame. Check ebay and craigslist or smugtree (is that the one that's popular over there?)