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| Top Tube or Seat Tube length? |
| Top Tube |
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75% |
[ 15 ] |
| Seat Tube |
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15% |
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| Other Tube |
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10% |
[ 2 ] |
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| Total Votes : 20 |
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johnysputnik
Cat 1 Groupie
Joined: 18 Mar 2004
Posts: 187
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 Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 8:04 am Post subject: Seat Tube or Top Tube |
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Me and a friend were discussing the best way to select a frame size (initial selection... obv riding the bike is the best test). He reckons Seat Tube length is still prob the best method, but I reckon Top Tube Length, as it effects the handling of the bike to a greater degree. I would argue that Seat Tube Angle is more important than length (given that you've got the right top tube length) what do all you other losers think?
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legro
Moderator
Joined: 28 Feb 2002
Posts: 28780
Location: Colchester
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| Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 8:08 am Post subject: Re: Seat Tube or Top Tube |
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| johnysputnik wrote: |
| what do all you other losers think? |
not a lot after that statement
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erudite pete
E, Gold
Joined: 12 Apr 2004
Posts: 2312
Location: Cambridge
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| Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 8:16 am Post subject: |
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| Top tube/seat angle. Problem with top tubes is that, on almost all stock frames, they're miles too short. |
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Coggy
Guest
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| Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 8:32 am Post subject: |
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All I know is my mtb frame has a great big long top tube and a short seat tube. And I like it that way:
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Billy Boy
T de F Winner
Joined: 11 Aug 2003
Posts: 30726
Location: Not Aylesbury
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| Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 9:13 am Post subject: |
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Top tube length combined with seat and head tube angles are what matter.
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joxster
World Champ
Joined: 05 May 2004
Posts: 11229
Location: Barfly, buy me a drink and I'll tell you a story
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| Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 9:19 am Post subject: |
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Does it matter? Just get your frame custom built, end of problem.
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alexc
Div 2 Pro
Joined: 24 Jul 2003
Posts: 5192
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| Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 9:32 am Post subject: |
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| Coggy wrote: |
All I know is my mtb frame has a great big long top tube and a short seat tube. And I like it that way:
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is that at the top of rushup edge perchance.
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Chr!s B.
E, Silver
Joined: 07 Jan 2004
Posts: 1967
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| Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 9:40 am Post subject: |
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| Billy Boy wrote: |
| Top tube length combined with seat and head tube angles are what matter. |
I totally agree.. I always go for Seat tube angle and top tube length first.
As I have longer thighs than most and like my saddle nose to be around 10cm behind the Bottom Bracket.
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Thomo
Div 1 Pro
Joined: 20 Dec 2002
Posts: 6964
Location: Milton Keynes (home) Hemel Hempstead (work)
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| Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 11:21 am Post subject: |
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| joxster wrote: |
| Does it matter? Just get your frame custom built, end of problem. |
To custom build it, then you have to specify what tube lengths and angles you want - therefore it matters even more!
Oh - I agree with most here too - top tube is the most important length, and the seat and head angles are the important aspects of those tubes, rather than the length.
Paul
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joxster
World Champ
Joined: 05 May 2004
Posts: 11229
Location: Barfly, buy me a drink and I'll tell you a story
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| Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 11:24 am Post subject: |
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| Thomo wrote: |
| joxster wrote: |
| Does it matter? Just get your frame custom built, end of problem. |
To custom build it, then you have to specify what tube lengths and angles you want - therefore it matters even more!
Oh - I agree with most here too - top tube is the most important length, and the seat and head angles are the important aspects of those tubes, rather than the length.
Paul |
Isn't that up to the frame builder to measure you and then build to your specification.
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Thomo
Div 1 Pro
Joined: 20 Dec 2002
Posts: 6964
Location: Milton Keynes (home) Hemel Hempstead (work)
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| Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 11:25 am Post subject: |
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| joxster wrote: |
| Thomo wrote: |
| joxster wrote: |
| Does it matter? Just get your frame custom built, end of problem. |
To custom build it, then you have to specify what tube lengths and angles you want - therefore it matters even more!
Oh - I agree with most here too - top tube is the most important length, and the seat and head angles are the important aspects of those tubes, rather than the length.
Paul |
Isn't that up to the frame builder to measure you and then build to your specification. |
The clue is the last bit... 
Paul
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joxster
World Champ
Joined: 05 May 2004
Posts: 11229
Location: Barfly, buy me a drink and I'll tell you a story
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| Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 11:27 am Post subject: |
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| Thomo wrote: |
| joxster wrote: |
| Thomo wrote: |
| joxster wrote: |
| Does it matter? Just get your frame custom built, end of problem. |
To custom build it, then you have to specify what tube lengths and angles you want - therefore it matters even more!
Oh - I agree with most here too - top tube is the most important length, and the seat and head angles are the important aspects of those tubes, rather than the length.
Paul |
Isn't that up to the frame builder to measure you and then build to your specification. |
The clue is the last bit...
Paul |
Define specification? 
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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. |
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Badger
E, Gold
Joined: 14 Jun 2004
Posts: 2822
Location: Trying not to say 'basically'
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| Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 11:52 am Post subject: |
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and with so many ways to measure seat tube length (compact frames, bb to centre of top tube, bb to top of top tube etc. etc) then top tube length should determine the frame size to buy
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snakeeater
E, Silver
Joined: 17 Jun 2004
Posts: 1424
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| Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 12:05 pm Post subject: Re: Seat Tube or Top Tube |
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| johnysputnik wrote: |
| what do all you other losers think? |
Tend to agree with Legro on this one. At least respect other readers of thsi forum, even if you think we are all losers.
S~ |
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johnysputnik
Cat 1 Groupie
Joined: 18 Mar 2004
Posts: 187
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| Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 12:09 pm Post subject: Re: Seat Tube or Top Tube |
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| snakeeater wrote: |
| johnysputnik wrote: |
| what do all you other losers think? |
Tend to agree with Legro on this one. At least respect other readers of thsi forum, even if you think we are all losers.
S~ |
you appear not to have seen the word 'other'
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Pinarello
Guest
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| Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 1:37 pm Post subject: Re: Seat Tube or Top Tube |
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| johnysputnik wrote: |
| Me and a friend were discussing the best way to select a frame size (initial selection... obv riding the bike is the best test). He reckons Seat Tube length is still prob the best method, but I reckon Top Tube Length, as it effects the handling of the bike to a greater degree. I would argue that Seat Tube Angle is more important than length (given that you've got the right top tube length) what do all you other losers think? |
The important selection factor in frame size selection is how it looks outside the cafe, the bike has to look balanced with the 'right' amount of seatpost showing and a good length stem.
You can always add an extra shoe plate or two to compensate for slightly too big a frame. |
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johnysputnik
Cat 1 Groupie
Joined: 18 Mar 2004
Posts: 187
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| Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 2:44 pm Post subject: Re: Seat Tube or Top Tube |
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| Pinarello wrote: |
| johnysputnik wrote: |
| Me and a friend were discussing the best way to select a frame size (initial selection... obv riding the bike is the best test). He reckons Seat Tube length is still prob the best method, but I reckon Top Tube Length, as it effects the handling of the bike to a greater degree. I would argue that Seat Tube Angle is more important than length (given that you've got the right top tube length) what do all you other losers think? |
The important selection factor in frame size selection is how it looks outside the cafe, the bike has to look balanced with the 'right' amount of seatpost showing and a good length stem.
You can always add an extra shoe plate or two to compensate for slightly too big a frame. |
Aesthetically speaking what would be a good length stem then? And how much should I expect my post to extend before it looks absurd?
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Pinarello
Guest
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| Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 2:50 pm Post subject: Re: Seat Tube or Top Tube |
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| johnysputnik wrote: |
| Pinarello wrote: |
| johnysputnik wrote: |
| Me and a friend were discussing the best way to select a frame size (initial selection... obv riding the bike is the best test). He reckons Seat Tube length is still prob the best method, but I reckon Top Tube Length, as it effects the handling of the bike to a greater degree. I would argue that Seat Tube Angle is more important than length (given that you've got the right top tube length) what do all you other losers think? |
The important selection factor in frame size selection is how it looks outside the cafe, the bike has to look balanced with the 'right' amount of seatpost showing and a good length stem.
You can always add an extra shoe plate or two to compensate for slightly too big a frame. |
Aesthetically speaking what would be a good length stem then? And how much should I expect my post to extend before it looks absurd? |
Your stem should never ever be less than 110mm, and you show at least 120mm but never more than 237mm of seatpost |
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PNuT
Moderator
Joined: 12 Sep 2002
Posts: 18512
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| Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 5:58 pm Post subject: |
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every tester shud have a huge aero post  prefrably made by HQ
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monk
Div 1 Pro
Joined: 16 Mar 2005
Posts: 6589
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| Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 10:19 am Post subject: |
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Seat tube length can be ignored with modern sloping top tube frames, a cm or two either way is easily adjusted with seat height. Top tube length can't easily be adjusted though. You can either use a sloping stem or a stack of spacers to make a too short/long head tube still put the bars where they're needed.
At the end of the day the bike needs to FIT properly, like joxster says.
The saddle has to be just where you need it to sit properly with your knee over the pedal spindle at the right point, the bars far enough away for you, neither too low or high (~2inches below the saddle), and the stem a sensible length (11-13cm) so the steering's balanced.
I have identical positions on my bikes but they all reach it with slighly differing combinations of long/normal s/pins and sloping/normal stems. |
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