HI....

I think that colnago master in the picture its yours... right? well your seat it is too high... that frame it is too small 4 u dude... I bet a 55 could fit better... a 53 it is too small 4 u. Just ad 2 cms to the Top tub thats all u'll do so far.. so isnt a problem. A compact frame could work too U know...

As u said... the convetional fit it is like a 55 right? so why do not stick with it anyways...?? The stem u have t use is like a 12 cms long. thats all. The seat wont be too high as it is now (no wonder why u said something about a frankenbike), even the Top Tube wont be too high for u. My dad is like you... and he was using a 55x56 custom made frame. I use 56x56. so my dads was my spare bike when racing.

Even i dont knwo how u dont feel unconfortable (your back and your kness) using such a short frame. THe hiight of the frame it is only a detail because the lenght is the part that u have to realy try to acmomodate the best u can and sincerely no matter how long the stem is, the frame it looks too short anyways, even more when u have long torso.

What I would do if font believe us too much (makes sense to think it right?). get a track 54x54 then use a track stem on it. The position will be lower. We have to think too in styles of riding and all that stuff.

I know a chick here in VA who does triathlon. She is quite small and the LBS it is still working w/the guys from litespeed i think it is.. well 3 custom made frames last year and she still complains because sho doesnt look like benard hinault or pedro delgado when riding her bike. The answer is STYLE and they still do not realize that no matter what she rides she will ride as a caveman anyways. the worse part. she is like 4.9 tall so no bike will fit her anyways (maybe a BMX), but the LBS is doing money.... So u have to think that maybe u r tying to do that, trying to fit like somebody being that the way u ride a bike is another one anyways.

Honestly the frame u have r/now it is too small for u. See what the guys at your LBS says... U just mentioned "prefered handlebar drop".. what do u mean? U ride super low and aerodinamic??? the back absolutely flat? as i see in the picture with a 55 the only thing u have to do is not use fork spacers, a shorter stem and all set. Dont forget to move the seat forward, I bet its way back...

I have a ridley compact. I bought a large size only because of the efective size of the frame. I'm more like a medium in ridleys but the modium it was going to be too short for me. Im like in the limit between a medium and a large. So i went with the large, and i was right. Like a glove the 1st time.

hope this could help u... with regular geometries it is better stick with the size that is right for u or 1 cm less thats all (when u have short legs), because if u get a frame too short ull end with an extra long stem (u will have problems pedaling) and the seat so back that u'll be seated with the guys that are at your back. Behind u.

Again.. hope this helps...

UM.

ps: r u japanese? Im a half japanese.