thanks for the reply,
yeah the next size up in the cross check is a tad tight on the standover.
another factor is building a frame will be a hoot, and will solve a problem.
Ive looked at a bunch of frames and no Joy!! all the compact frames I looked at are not relaxed enough and horizontal top tube bikes Im stuck with a smaller size due to standover the only frame that looked like a nice compromise is the SOMA Juice 29er frame in the 18".
"John"