Hi,

I've bought, and continue to own, off the shelf frames. But for a tall guy, custom is the way to go for a tourer. I'm 6-4, and stock frames, even in large sizes, are a difficult fit for day after day in the saddle. For touring, you'll want the bars at saddle height if you're like most people. That means a big frame. Standardized frames often use standardized tubes. Big frames demand a different approach. My first custom, built by Tom Ritchey himself, mixed up tandem tube sets in a lugless braze. A great ride. My current tourer is a 64 cm Mercian King of Mercia. I specced all the dimensions, and ordered up large diameter Reynolds 725 tubing. Took nine months to get it but it's the best tourer I could have hoped for, and it's unique to me -- even has my name on the top tube to prove it. Consider what you want, get to know enough about frames to order the geometry that will deliver what you seek and be prepared to wait. The exchange rate stinks right now (thanks Dubya!) but English frames -- Bob Jackson and Mercian in particular -- remain competitively priced.