Joe_Mo

I am torn between a Soma Doublecross Disc and a Salsa vaya.

I have a custom bike that has some really crazy tube lenths but fits perfect for me.

I recently built up a soma doublecross disc that is size 54cm that I bought but it is too small for me with these handle bars I am using. They are the nitto butterfly trekking handlebars. They unfortunately negate the 110mm stem I am using. turning the bike into almost a 52 or 50cm frame.

I cannot decide which frame will fit me better based on looking at the geometries of the bigger sizes. I assume that a 60cm doublecross disc would fit me better with those bars. but then I really like the sloping top tube of the salsa vaya some quick measurements and picking my friends' brains have me to think the 58cm of the vaya would be the best.

I am almost 6 feet tall with a 33.5 inch inseam.

ClemY

As you are zeroing in on the frame you might like to get, you may want to consider what you will require it to do. In touring there are several variants, which might affect which type of frame you want. I am an over weight guy carrying an excessive amount of gear. I need a frame that is pretty stiff to avoid colorful things on the road due to frame flex. If you are lighter, or plan on carrying a lighter load, that may not be an issue for you. The Double Cross is a cyclecross frame. It may be suitable for lighter touring, but may not be as stiff as you may need for heavily loaded touring. The Vaya is a nice medium touring frame. It should be pretty good for pretty heavy touring, but there are stiffer frames if you are a wide body like me. I love my Vaya and I have strapped on full gear for practice rides, but I haven’t taken it out on the road for an extended ride yet.

As for size, with the new crop of dropped top tube frames, I look for frames with the top tube length I like and then see what length seat tube that gives. With the newer, 350mm seat posts, a shorter seat tube than I may have used previously is not a problem.

fietsbob

N+1 on another custom .. have the builder make the rear triangle and tube spec.
suitable for carrying panniers..

Bruce Gordon in Petaluma California is the Go to Guy in the US..

His racks are top of the heap, mine are over 20 years old.. veteran of many tours


His BLT is a Taiwan subcontract ,to compete with all the brands you mention that are also
made over there.. But he is first a very well regarded.. hand builder..

skilsaw

You need to have a bike fit done at a store by a skilled bike fitter who knows your intended purpose for the bike. There is more going on than can be effectively sumarized in forum exchange with complete strangers.

bradtx

Joe_Mo, While another custom frame maybe the ultimate answer, use the specs of your present frame as a guideline. In doing that I think you did indeed buy a frame too small for you. You may use a longer stem and be happier with your fit, worth a trial anyways.

Questions like yours are almost impossible to lend well intended advice responses. Case in point is a friend I ride with is the same height as I am (6'), we have the same size frames, but everything else is different by small amounts to where neither of us are comfortable riding the other's bike. Good luck.

Brad