Hello fellow bikers,

(I realize the best answer to this is to get fitted for a custom bike, but the budget doesn't presently allow for that.)

I have strange body proportions and have never found a comfortably fitting bike. I'm hoping for your suggestions and/or data so that I can I know how to approach my upcoming purchase of a better-fitting (stock) bike (though I'm willing to switch out parts for different sizes). I commute each day, with a 30lb pack, so comfort is vital, especially for this aching back.

I'm 5'9" and weigh 170lbs, an average joe. But, my arms are 73" span (+4 on the ape index), and my feet are size 14. I'm sure you can imagine the problems associated with this on a bike fit for my torso. Respectively, on my 56" frame, my hands are easily out beyond the bars, even at full bar extension, and my feet continually rub or even hit my wheel on mini turns. Between the two, pain.

I like to ride more upright than not, so I've moved to hybrids in recent years.

As I said, I'm a commuter, and even though I love to go fast, comfort is the key goal.

Thanks for any input you may have!

Platypus