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/
Any thoughts on this? Do other builders subscribe to this?
Thanks!
Mitchell Gass
Berkeley, CA, USA