Spending my dollars on a 2010 frame. Oh yeah.

jonehall
jonehall Posts: 24
edited October 2009 in Road buying advice
Hey all - I'd like some advice on a new frame for 2010 please:

I'm currently riding a 09 Spec Roubaix Comp (comfort plush) and looking for something a little racier. This is me:

Height: 5ft7.5. or 171 cm
Weight: 72kg
Saddle height 74cm
Ideal reach (from tip of saddle to end of stem): 51cm (!) yes this is what's causing me problems.

My issue is that i always seem to feel too stretched out on bikes. I think my torso is a little shorter than average with long legs and average arms. But the laser fitter at Specialized said i was generally average - certainly no extremes.

I test rode a 52cm Tarmac Pro yesterday and would have bought the frame on the spot, had the reach (52cm with a 90mm stem and high bars +4cm) worried me - I just felt a little, just a little stretched out - and with a 90mm stem too. Handled beautifully and I reckon I would be very happy with the bike with my short reach carbon bars (test bike had short reach bars too) and a 85 or 80mm stem - but does that indicate the frame doesn't fit?

So, I'm searching for a frame that handles like the Tarmac Pro / SL2 - but has a slightly shorter top tube. (Or any ideas about making the Tarmac fit).

Budget is $2 - 3k frame and I want to make sure it fits like a glove. BH seems interesting, as does LOOK and possibly Cervelo (R3). But my heart is with the Tarmac.


PS: i am not abnormally proportioned and can touch my toes!

PPS: got a little toe overlap on the Tarmac 52cm - didn't notice one bit on the 25mile test ride (where i fell in love) but I did notice in the car park at slow speeds. Is that normal for a guy my size on race geo?

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