Originally Posted by
dashuaigeh
Thanks for the thought. I also rely on bikes for transportation, and while I drive around at the moment (disabled sticker from a recent surgery has its benefits) I'd like to get back on two wheels as soon as possible. I can understand your thought on the Merckx; this is kind of my opinion about the Paramount as well (i.e. it's a bike I could probably keep for the next 20 years).
Frame is a 53 btw. Seat post could go up a little more (and in fact, I think it has since that ride). I had been using the rule of thumb that "seatpost and stem should be around equal height" for standard road bike geometries.
this is the best bike friend description I've ever heard.
As for the fit: I think the fit may be OK. I plan on test riding a few of my friend's bikes to compare both the fit and the feel of the ride. I think I'm more concerned about my fear of riding nice high end bikes.
Robbie is an extremely wise, and generous, man.
I don't think I have a single bike where the stem and seat post are level, my seat post is a good bit higher on all of my bikes. I think you'd do well to worry more about comfort and less about the way something is "supposed to be". If the bike is comfortable, ride it...if not, sell it and buy one that is...or trade it. I don't see any reason you couldn't raise that seat post up a good bit. If that one won't do the trick, get one that isn't cut down.