Hi,

Be advised that the LHT complete is about the same cost as a Bob Jackson frame and fork only. If you're shopping, you might find this thread more helpful if you provide: intended use(s), your budget, your location, your experience.

I'm currently waiting on a Mercian, and I was comfortable ordering it even though I'm not in the UK because I knew exactly what I wanted -- frame angles, lugs, tubing, etc. For a new rider, specifying the arcania of a fully bespoke frame might be overwhelming. Took about 30 years of serious riding to come to all the right conclusions.

There are lots of great off the rack frames and bikes out there. Unless you're very, very into getting exactly what you want, you'll spend far less on a built up bike like the LHT complete than one in which you spec all the bits. That said, I'm just about done specing all the bits on my latest.

Do what makes you happy, and if you can, ride before you buy. There used to be an expression in Italy, that the right bike "disappears" beneath you. That's the feeling to search for. When it's right, you'll feel just like you're flying. Buy that bike.