[CR]Classics with Long Top Tubes?

(Example: Production Builders:Peugeot)

Date: Sun, 03 Sep 2006 19:12:11 -0700
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
From: Mitchell Gass <mitchell@gassworks.com>
Subject: [CR]Classics with Long Top Tubes?

Occasionally I see a description of a classic frame - usually British - with a top tube that's quite a bit longer than the seat tube. Were these always customs, or were there makers who did this with their production frames? I've considered having a custom frame built to fit my long torso, but I'm curious to know if there are classics that would work. My sense of what would be best is

57-58 c-c seat tube Shallow seat angle (less than 72 degrees, ideally 68-70 to work with a Brooks saddle and my laid-back position) 59-63 c-c top tube (longer if the seat angle is shallower and I don't have to have the saddle all the way back)

Related to this: I've read that Albert Eisentraut's ideas of fit include aligning the steering axis with the rider's inner ear

http://www.bicycletrader.com/archives/21articles.html

Any thoughts on this? Do other builders subscribe to this?

Thanks!

Mitchell Gass
Berkeley, CA, USA