All:
I'm a long-time lurker, third-time poster:
Jan Heine wrote:
For example, a typical Singer may have a 62 cm (c-t) seat tube and a 57.5 cm (c-c) top tube. That frame rides the same as a 59 cm Rivendell... but, in my opinion, looks a lot better. As long as you can straddle the frame, no problem. I assume you'll ask for a low BB anyhow, making any frame easier to straddle.
I have tried this approach of going for a bigger frame with a 62 c-c Trek fixed gear bike with a 531 frame and a 63 c-t RB-1 of 1989 or earlier vintage (I also have a 62.5 c-t Rivendell). What I've found, however, is that the shorter TT makes it difficult to get the seat back a comfortable distance compared to a "comparable" Rivendell. So there may be limits to this appealing and clever work-around, which is why I remain interested in a Rambouillet.
Regards,
Justin in DC/VA