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Post by gambit on Jul 1, 2006 19:51:43 GMT 8
Hello,
Would you prefer a sloping or a straight (or classic) road bike frame?
Why? Advantages/Disadvantages?
Cheers!
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Post by woofers on Jul 1, 2006 22:54:41 GMT 8
Assuming both would fit, I prefer traditional geometry. I fit a 49cm traditional, or a small compact.
1. Looks like a real road bike, not like a MTB or BMX with skinny wheels. 2. More room for bottles
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Post by allegra on Jul 2, 2006 16:29:23 GMT 8
compact frames , if you believe the manufacturers flex less sa sprints and weigh less they are also twitchy , and masakit sa katawan Havent tried a traditional frame yet so I cant compare John Wilkie told me he couldnt stand compact giant frames , pero tri natioanl team member goerge vilog swears by his tcr
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Post by grnhrnt on Jul 2, 2006 18:11:19 GMT 8
brian, is spot-on and the key words are " if they fit" most original bike manufacturers use the caucasian body characteristics as the standard when designing bikes, even now that 70% (not sure maybe more) of bikes are now made in Taiwan and China. So if the seat tube is a certain height therefore the top tube length should be whatever, based on their standard. So for asians like me, I fit in a medium tcr w/ a 55 toptube but my saddle to bb height is only 68 cm. short legs but long torso and arms, a regular gorilla! Based on my height and inseam I should fit into a small size. So it doesn't matter which you choose, it purely aesthetic, what's more important is "if it fits"!
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Post by Dragunov on Jul 2, 2006 22:10:52 GMT 8
straight(traditional frame=comfort for the long haul,, sloping frame good for clinbing, less weight, stiffer frame coz of smaller main triangle
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Post by king on Jul 3, 2006 1:11:52 GMT 8
top tube length and head tube height will probably dictate comfort and climbing more the n a sloping top tube. a shorter toptube & a higher headtube will give you a more relaxed riding position. a longer top tube will stretch you out to for better aerodynamic and climbing positions. personally, purely on looks alone, i like the classic geometry of a standard frame (plus thinner steel tubes!)
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schwinng
Free Rider
Save the planet, ride a bicycle!
Posts: 293
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Post by schwinng on Jul 5, 2006 13:00:01 GMT 8
I'm old school, so traditional. I want my road bike to look like a road bike, not a mountain bike with skinny tires.
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Post by grnhrnt on Jul 5, 2006 14:52:36 GMT 8
sloping road bike frames don't look like moutain bikes w/ skinny tires. Ive actually seen old mountain bikes w/ straight frames and skinny tires that look like traditional road bikes... :-P peace!
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Post by wcoastbo on Jul 6, 2006 2:37:23 GMT 8
those were the good old days... when mtb geometry was very similar to road geometry. modern mtbs with long travel forks necessitate sloping top tubes.
I would be very surprised if most riders can tell the difference in ride quality between a compact road frame and a traditional, given all other variables constant. I have both frames and the traditional has a harsher ride than the compact. In my case it has nothing to do with compact vs traditional, it's the build that dictates my ride quality. Both frames have the same headtube angle, BB height, chain stay length and overall wheelbase, but everything else if different. I can't tell if one is "flexier" than the other... I guess my "assometer" is not very sensitive and the legs can't generate very much power. Either way it won't be a factor if I ever find myself sprinting against Robbie McEwen, or any other racer.
To me it seems that mfgs are using sloping toptubes to reduce the number of frame sizes. In the past road frames came in many sizes, usually in cm. Now there are fewer sizes on lower end production bikes Usually small, med & large. With sloping toptubes standover height is less of an issue and cockfit fit is accomplished by using different stem lengths and seatpost setback. I don't like this trend. Mfg charts give a range like, fits heights from 5'6" to 5'9". I also see words like "effective toptube length", which is harder to measure than a traditional frame.
I also don't buy into the weight savings claim from mfgs. Yes, the frame is lighter since the seattube is significantly shorter... on the other hand you'll need a longer and stronger seatpost to raise your seat to the appropriate heights. The two offset each other for the most part.
If I had the choice between two frames with identical geometry the only difference was sloping vs traditional. I'd chose traditional for looks and practicality (as woofers mentioned, more room for large bottles plus a frame pump). If standover height is an issue, then compact frames are more practical.
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Post by sworksmike on Jul 6, 2006 23:04:31 GMT 8
Choose te one that's eye candy for you so that when you see her you want to hit the road and ride her.
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mythbuster
XC Rider
The Self Proclaimed-Wrecking Crew
Posts: 149
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Post by mythbuster on Sept 15, 2006 11:02:45 GMT 8
Different peeps, different fittings, different preferences, as long as it fits you, it's ok.
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Post by byteblues on Sept 17, 2006 13:17:53 GMT 8
sloping....easy control on cornering....high stability because of lower center of gravity...but then again its ur preference
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mythbuster
XC Rider
The Self Proclaimed-Wrecking Crew
Posts: 149
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Post by mythbuster on Sept 18, 2006 8:17:17 GMT 8
...and also, it has something in commercial value ( the new frames ), just like the biopace era.
but as i said, if it fits you, go on
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Post by lucban on Sept 18, 2006 11:19:08 GMT 8
Sloping is better cause its more flexible,better performance and good if you're small.
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Post by bobbye on Sept 18, 2006 13:10:47 GMT 8
For me im still using the traditional frame, straight frame, so far so good
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jmlag
XC Rider
eSSthr-DeluxSS-SWorks
Posts: 117
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Post by jmlag on Oct 3, 2006 19:10:11 GMT 8
There is one main reason top tube slope is incorporated into most of Seven's road bike designs: FIT
In a nut shell, sloping the top tube allows you to raise the bar height, reduce the number of spacers under the stem, lengthen the headtube, and provide enough standover clearance.
Seven has a very good illustration in their Custom Fit Kit that's included in their brochure and they show how they use this methodology. It's very interesting and it makes a lot of sense.....
They explain it on their website as well.
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Post by king on Oct 3, 2006 19:17:42 GMT 8
so, jm, having a Seven made? There is one main reason top tube slope is incorporated into most of Seven's road bike designs: FIT In a nut shell, sloping the top tube allows you to raise the bar height, reduce the number of spacers under the stem, lengthen the headtube, and provide enough standover clearance. Seven has a very good illustration in their Custom Fit Kit that's included in their brochure and they show how they use this methodology. It's very interesting and it makes a lot of sense..... They explain it on their website as well.
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jmlag
XC Rider
eSSthr-DeluxSS-SWorks
Posts: 117
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Post by jmlag on Oct 3, 2006 20:25:00 GMT 8
I WISH!!! If I had cash to burn right now, I'd get an Elium Race......
S Works Tarmac is pretty high up on the list as well.
But I'd also like a Sola or an IMX.
d@mn! Too many choices.......
ok I need to wake up now...
DREAM BIKES
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