[mhespenheide]

So I thought I had this figured out for my own purposes, but the Felt F1pr that I bought and built up just isn't quite right for my fit.

I'm reluctant to make the shift to disc brakes. I like the simplicity (and being able to do my own wrenching) of rim brakes. The Felt fits 700x32 or 33, and I'd like to keep that width; I assume that means using medium-reach brakes. If there's something astonishing that would handle 700x30, I'd consider it. If there's something out there that ticks the rest of the boxes but has cantis, I'd consider it, but I never had a great experience with an older LeMond Poprad with cantis or mini-v's (but I didn't try the Paul MiniMoto; perhaps those are worth going "backward"?)

I want "road" geometry, not "gravel/adventure" geometry. For me, in an XL or XXL size, that means ~73 degrees for the head tube angle, and chainstays that are relatively short. I also prefer a bottom bracket drop of 70mm or so (72, 75); not looking for the higher bottom brackets of 'cross bikes.

I'd like to get relatively light (The Poprad felt heavy, compared to my other bikes), so I'm thinking that modern Al, Ti, or carbon might be the way to go. I have a mild preference towards sloping top tubes. I prefer straight tubes, not the hunchback look.

//edit: Nothing too exotic, please. I have some budget to play with, but not semi-infinite. I'm guessing that rules out custom for now.


I know this has been discussed a lot, and I'm asking for some pretty specific requirements. Thanks for any input.