New frame? Advice...
 

I currently own a 49cm Trek 920. I like the bike for gravel rides and short credit card touring but in terms of comfort, give it about an 8 out of 10. I'm just a tad bit stretched out and keep thinking it would be nice if the handle bars were a bit closer/slightly higher, and the top tube slightly lower. (I am 5'2").

I'm thinking of getting an extra small Salsa Fargo frame; based on the comparison at bikeinsights.com (https://bikeinsights.com/compare?geo...5c380017465155), it seems to fit the bill. Because of the small size, I can never test ride a bike at a shop.

I would transfer the components on my Trek including: cowchipper handle bars, bontrager carbon seat post, bontrager elite stem (60mm) and the following: shimano deore M617 10 speed 170mm 22/36 crank, shimano deore BB525 hollowtech II, SRAM PG-1070 10 speed cassette 11-36 (I have really bad knees!) and the original 920 wheels/brakes. (I am not a bike tech, I would have to have this down at a bike shop).

My questions: is this doable, am I missing anything? "On paper" the Salsa does look like it would be a better fit---I wouldn't be stretched out as much. But am I overlooking anything? Thanks for any insights.

That comparison site is excellent. I had never seen that before.

I notice the Salsa in 1x---it only has one chainring, whereas the Trek has multiple. https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/b...0/920/p/21996/ Also the Salsa, being steel and having wider wheels and tires, will probably weigh a few pounds more, possibly. https://salsacycles.com/bikes/fargo/2021_fargo_apex_1 The Salsa looks to be a bit more off-road oriented. Both look very interesting .... nah. I have enough bikes. :)

As far as the size comparison, the Salsa looks more like what you want, as far as a shorter cockpit and more upright riding position. Whether it will have the ride characteristics you like, or whether you will adapt to it .... who knows? As for what you say you want specifically in frame dimensions, as the chart shows, the Salsa delivers. As for the real bike .....

I know enough about my proportions and have fit enough bikes that i could make a secure choice based on a geometry chart and sketch. I don't know you. I can't say what you should do. Based on what you have already researched .... you seem to be going about the process sensibly.

I see the Salsa has a 73-mm wide, threaded bottom bracket. I am having a hard time finding Trek specs, but assuming it also has a 73-mm BB shell, your Hollowtech should thread right in. I see that you will need a much longer seat post--well maybe a couple inches. I have had issues with extremely long CF seat posts---but I weight an eighth of a ton. If you only have six-eight inches exposed (and aren't a mega-clyde like me) you should be fine. make sure the seat post is long enough to fit with enough still in the seat tube.

I will be following this thread. Interesting topic. Thanks.

That is a very informative site.

So just to be clear, you were buying the frame only and transferring all (that you can) of your parts?

A few things to look for...

Wheel axle / frame dropout standards. If these are not the same, then you need to look into whether there are adaptors to get you where you need to be.

From the Salsa website, it looks like the Ti and Steel frames can bith take a front derailleur (they mention some Problem Solvers adapter you will need)

Are you looking at a frame or a frameset (which includes a fork). If the former, check on the fork lengths.

The bike market is still okay right now for newer bikes, why not just sell the Trek and buy a built up Salsa?

Isn't that exactly what he is talking about doing?

Have you tried a shorter stem? I know it doesn't solve standover height
It's kind of an inopportune time to do this swap, since parts might not be available. If it's a recent Trek, then it looks like the wheels will probably fit.

Thank you for your replies.
1. Yes, 73mm on Hollowtech bottom bracket
2. I did swap out the original stem on the Trek for the shortest possible stem.
3. frameset
4. I invested in new cassett/crankset on the Trek to get the low gear inches I want and the built-up Fargo doesn't quite match it.

the OP was stating they wanted to purchase a Salsa steel frameset and transfer all the parts from their existing Trek 920 to it

I am confused. Isn't that what you were saying as well?

EDIT: Oops, I misread your post. You are telling him to buy a complete bike. Got it.

Yeah, and the OP is already using a 60 cm stem ... can't go too much shorter ....

To me it sounds like a good idea ....