Originally Posted by
eavonius
AnthonyG - thanks, I do have 170 cranks and am surprised you recommend 165s. That would put me higher on the saddle by 5mm but my bigger concern would be the loss of leverage on hills.
kudude - I guess the reason I'd prefer steel over alum if I was going custom is durability (in case of a crash) and ride quality/compliance. I wanted a carbon frame when I first started riding a few years ago but since then the thought of one failing on me freaks me out.
I think your reasons for desiring custom steel are a little off, but to each his own. FWIW I've crashed my carbon bike HARD twice and gone down on it 2 other times. It's fine. Ride quality is far and away not only a function of frame material.