I followed the advice of @Salamandrine and entered my very comprehensive measurements into the fit calculator at Competitive Cyclist and here's what I got:



I made my husband measure my inseam/PBH multiple times because I could not believe it was 32" and my height was only 5'5"! Thus I am being recommended a seat tube length that is considerably longer than top tube, which does not seem to be how most frames from this era are built. Most geometry charts I've looked at for frames like Bridgestone, Centurion etc show top tube within 1 cm of seat tube c-t, and I understand the Italians may have an even more stretched out ratio.

So I'm assuming I can use quill stem and seat post adjustments on a slightly shorter frame to achieve good extension and more moderate/relaxed geometry while keeping my top tube more in the optimum range?

Today I have become intrigued by Bridgestone and the cult of RB-1, and my husband has proposed a plan by which he will upgrade his group set and sell me his Ultegra group for a very fair price :-) not sure about that. There is currently a 54cm 1988 RB-1 for $500 on Craigslist, which I think @Salamandrine posted here above, and a 1989 RB-1 frame - to my eye the only one with a somewhat cool paint job - for local pickup on eBay for a Buy Now price of $429 ( which seems pretty high. I would be willing to pay a bit of a premium for the paint, the cult and the smaller size but not sure how high - also not sure if the 80s RB-1 are quite as sought after as 90s). Also a very nice looking Miyata 912 which is also ovepriced at $425 - how would a Miyata of that level compare to the RB-1. I assume there is limited potential for tire width. At these prices I'd probably be better off buying a brand new Soma Stanyan frameset from Velomine for $350. But then I wouldn't be C&V!

still much research and looking to do. Have not even dived into European bikes ....