Side_FX:

You might take a look at the “Z” line of Felts, they are Felts ‘comfort’ line.

If you saw one go by, it could almost pass for the older Pilots, same frame style, still using the rounder tubes, not as stylized as lots of the newer carbon frames. They do have a bigger down tube but that is about the only obvious cosmetic difference.

I was just looking at the geometry charts (I have an old Pilot chart) and they are pretty close in most respects.

I have TWO 5.2 Pilots, one a 2007 ‘regular’ I purchased new in late 2007 because I knew Trek was changing the frame styles for 2008, and prices were going up, etc. I got mine on a ‘close-out’, and it was a steal.

My other one is 2006 5.2 SPA (the one with the rubber bumper in the upper part of the seat stays) I got off eBay in the fall of 2010, ‘low miles’, basically perfect. Still had the original tires, they were hardly worn, and I’m still riding them.

I also have a very bad lower back, and when I’m on the Pilot, my back is actually better as long as I don’t push it too hard for too long.

Anyway, the Felt Z’s, for example in a 54 (my Pilots’ size), the geo is almost exactly the same except the head tube is ‘taller’ (160mm vs. 140mm), so not as many spacers above the top of the headset would be needed to get the bars at the same height.

The effective top tube is exactly the same at 54.5mm

Here’s some other geo comparisons if you are interested for a “54” frame:

Head Angles, Pilot: 72.4 Felt Z: 72.5
Seat Tube Angles, Pilot: 73.8 Felt Z: 74
Seat Tube Length, Center to Top, Pilot: 49.0mm Felt Z: 50.00
Chain Stay, Pilot: 41.5mm Felt Z: 41.7mm
Wheelbase, Pilot: 99.5mm Felt Z: 1001.9mm
Stand-Over, Pilot: 75.0mm Felt Z: 74.5mm

So, depending on where you live, you might be able to find a Felt dealer, you can check their web site for dealer locations.

Good luck.