OK. After scouting around for a heap of prices, the best overseas job
I could find ($ wise) was a mob called Curtlo cycles. They could make
up a True Temper frame for $785US, plus $275 for a carbon fork. Plus
$250US shipping the total is $1310US, or $1560AUS. Add import duties
and GST (15.5% total)and you get $1801Aus.
I can get a Hillbrick made for $2100, in Sydney. Both of these would
require fitting via email and static measurements.
I called Quantum in North Perth, and they can do a Reynolds 853 frame,
plus a full carbon steerer for $2020. And I can visit the workshop for
fitting and geometry calculations. I figure that is worth the extra
$200 in itself.
Because this is my first bike that will fit (due to long legs) I
figure that getting fitted while in motion (rather than from
measurements on a page) will be valuable. Once this frame dies, I will
have the measurements in hardcopy, and I could just say to whoever
"Make a copy of this, but add a cm here or there".
I wish I had listened to the advice I got here before I bought the
60cm GTR Series 2 (2006) bike I have now. I would have saved money,
but also been riding comfortable for a year and a bit by now.
Actually, I might not have saved any money. I only paid $1400 for the
bike, and it has some pretty good specs. I guess if I had bought the
frame and then bought the goodies I would have paid around $3500
anyway.
Still...
Brendo.