Opinions please - frame geometry

[monk]

First i would aim to find your ideal position then look around for a suitable off the peg frame to fit, Giant, koga, C'dale, yeti, kona, colnago or whatever, or if none are suitable however go for something built.

I'm personally a fan of steel frames so if going for something built I would go for summat steel.

Oversize tubing is the way fwd, in steel you can't get mega huge but some of the bigger size steel is still way rigid.

My view is that rigidity has to come first, you might be able to save a few watts here and there in aerodynamics but the power lost through frame flex is quite significant. It's through the reduced frame flex that frames like the corima track, BT and EIS carbon jobbies make a difference. Aerodynamics don't come into it much but the power delivery is only apparent when you've ridden them.

I do however feel a monstrously stiff 531, max, nivacron or deda 14 is however the best compromise as they are available in custom build, can be repaired in the event of smashing, are cost effective, and are fiarly readily available. You can get custom built alloy and carbon (corima make to measure) but you really pay for it, alloy is double the price of custom steel, carbon is sky limit; and neither are repairable if you get brought down.

I like solid colours rather than flashpaint jobs, there's nothing classier than a pure white, navy or black race bike IMO.

On frame shape I would actually go for a compact design, just as it looks that little bit extra special, esp if properly proportioned for the rider on board.

[bonger]

[chrisd]

[Crescenzo]

[KJ]

[mhgregor]

[Harmon]

Ride a recumbant..that should bypass all those fretting worries

[Harmon]

Or a trike..says my esteemed colleague DD

[marlboro man]

If it is for a road frame, it has to be a Giant. I personally ride a Dolan Black Soul for the simple reason that I like the look of it and it has a beefy BB section. However I recently stripped a Colnago Dream for a friend and put the same components on to her new Giant. Without wishing to do you an injustice Julie, she is considerably more powerful than you and the frame does not flex as much as the Colnago. Combined with the reduced weight it makes for a far more responsive bike. There are plenty of bargains to be had from the Giant range so you need not worry too much about replacing one should you suffer irreparable accident damage. Of course if you want something a little more individual you may want to give Terry a shout

[Bally]

I have to admit I've changed my mind on what does/does not look good over the years.

When mtb's came out they looked much better in a compact design than a horizontal top tube, but I thought that it was a no no road bikes.

However as the years have passed and they've become much more common, I've got used to them and think they look OK. My last road frame is a compact. (I still don't think a compact looks that good on a TT bike though).

It's the same with fat tubes and nowadays 'normal' tubes just don't look stiff - especially on a large frame (John McC's Roberts for example).

And nowadays I've toned down my colour schemes as well.

I suppose it's the same with any fashion - clothes, cars, bikes etc - we all change our mind on what looks good over the years.
_________________
Bally: Putting the @rse into Grass.
www.easterleycycling.org.uk/CycleStatsLite.exe for Gears, Revs, Speed, BBAR calc, Pursuit Scheduling etc.
"your power is truly awesome" - John McC
"real class" - George Gilbert"

[joxster]

A bike is a bike, get one the is made to fit you and let your legs show everyone how fast it is.
_________________
When offered the choice between the path of Desire and the path of Virtue I chose the path marked Diversion.

Programming is like 5ex, one mistake and you have to support it for life.

[Matt Clinton]

[Iffacus]

[digger]

[monk]

hpw fast would i be with one?

[Matt Clinton]

[monk]

[KJ]

Tanned legs just look faster it's an illusion

[marlboro man]

Are you lot looking to help Julie with this or are you just wasting Bandwidth for the sake of it?

[Matt Clinton]