Truman:
My body size is odd, with a very long torso and short arms and legs. I'm about 6'3" with a 30 " inseam - I look goofy. I wanted/needed a custom fit bike, had talked with a few custom framemakers when Sanner popped up on the horizon- also wanted a steel frame. After some emessages and a couple of phone calls I contracted with Sanner to supply a commuting, utility cycling, touring, pleasure riding frameset. My mass is just below a 100 kg, often carry a 10-20 kg load - frequently ride on terrible roads or in poor conditions. I needed the frameset to fit me well, ride comfortably, be responsive to ride, long lasting but not a tank. When the frameset arrive - asked my LBS to do the build with components known for their lasting value and toughness- Mavic 719A wheels with 36 spoke XT hubs, is an example. The set up is a 1x9, wanted a pragmatic reliable drivetrain. Now I've ridden this bike about 6000 km, gone on tour, commuted in fumbuck, commuted in Manhattan & Toronto, ridden a few log roads and local cow paths. The only thing I've done to the bike is replace the chain and tires once [probably need to do both again soon]. I've ridden & parked it outside in the pouring rain, snow storm, sleet, hot, cold, mud covered, slush slopped, iced up, have even washed it a couple of times only to clean off the barnyard "mud".
I too had a list of specific details and items I wanted on my bike [the build is a little non traditional], Sanner provided some good advice, some I listened to and followed, some I let my own experience be the guide. When I contracted with Sanner for a frameset, not sure I really cared exactly how he sourced the parts and components he used to do the build - all I care about was getting the frameset that I wanted and that it met my needs - which based upon my experiences the Sanner frameset has done in spades. martianone.