Originally Posted by
ericlowney
That is a great thread, I've read through it but I guess I was more or less hoping for a 'ranking', seems like there's too many factors to pick the 'top 5 sport touring bicycles' just due to personal use/preferences I guess. What would you consider to be a top end British bike? Reading through some of the other forums and I am dead set on 1.) forged dropouts 2.) integrated derailleur hanger. I'm still unsure if I want to make cantilever brakes a requirement or if it really doesn't matter that much to me.
As far as size.... I have a whole post in fitting your bike and I'm still lost so will likely go in for a fitting with my LBS this week or next. I would guess that I'm about a 58cm, using my Dawes that is a 62cm as a baseline for what is slightly too large.
I would encourage you to research as much as you can and realize you have already done plenty.
Unless your LBS is also recommended by a frame builder, I would seek one out or a studio where they focus on helping with challenges.
Most of the LBS's use a system that is too basic and steeped in the cookie cutter, sell a bike now method.
The biggest key to this is PBH, actual inseam measurement.
Go to Rivendell's fitting page and figure this out, it will help a lot.
https://www.rivbike.com/pages/pubic-...dc778b17&_ss=r