Sloping Top Tube?

by John.. on Feb 21, 2008 3:43 PM EST

Due to various influences (including reading this site) I have begun commuting to work on my bike several times a week. I am commuting on my only bike which is a 2007 Lemond Versailles bought to keep up with my cycling friends on group rides.

I am considering buying a less expensive bike to avoid punishing my Lemond too much and as a general excuse to get another bike. Some people on this site seem to like the aluminum Cannondale bikes and I wouldn't mind getting an aluminum bike.

In looking at the bikes, I noticed that Cannondale still has a level top tube while most of the other bikes now have a sloping top tube. Can someone explain the difference? Also, I saw a specialized Allez at the bike shop that looked extremely intriguing.

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Cannondale's

actually have a slightly sloping top tube. My 58cm 'Dale has a 56cm c-c seat tube and it does slope slightly. In the smaller sizes the slope is much more apparent. I would characterize bikes into 3 groups:

traditional (level top tube)
Sloping. Standard sizing but with a sloping top tube (Cannondale, LeMond, Felt to name a few).
Compact- Generally sized in XS-S-M-L-XL with "virtual dimensions". (Specialized, Giant)

the Cannondale sloping design works well for me since I get a nice roomy 57.5cm top tube for my longish torso and a friendly standover height (56cm seat tube) for my shortish legs.
Compacts allow the builders to limit choices since they take standover height out of the equation so they only need to focus on the virtual top tube length which can be tweaked with stem length, setback of the saddle etc.
For comuter bkes I would look at sloping or compact since it's nice to have extra standover height for commuting since it involves more forced stops than the wekend club rides.

Vlaenderen die Leu

by Peter Fontecchio on Feb 21, 2008 4:25 PM EST reply actions

Weight mainly

When you make the top tube slope, both the top tube and the seat tube are shorter, which makes the frame weigh less. I think that is the main reason.

by Jimbo... on Feb 21, 2008 4:28 PM EST reply actions

true but you

need a longer and heavier seatpost.. : - )

Vlaenderen die Leu

by Peter Fontecchio on Feb 21, 2008 5:18 PM EST up reply actions

what kind of commuting will you be doing?

If possible look around for used/older bikes for a commuter (and something that will take fenders and a rack).

Older mtbs (hard tails and rigid forks) make pretty good commuter bikes unless speed is an absolute necessity.

by R Mc on Feb 21, 2008 10:39 PM EST reply actions

"Unless"?

Speed is always a necessity! OK, reasonable minds may differ, but I gave away my MTB when I realized I was only using it to commute and it was adding a good 7 minutes to the ride.

by Chris Fontecchio on Feb 21, 2008 11:53 PM EST up reply actions

If you prefer the feel of a road bike

I would look at a cross bike as a nice alternative. The beefier fork for potholes, wider clearances for tires or fenders, yet still nimble and fun. If was fortunate enough to be able to commute to work, that's what I would use.

Vlaenderen die Leu

by Peter Fontecchio on Feb 22, 2008 5:43 AM EST up reply actions

Lenard Zinn

sorta tackles this subject in his latest tech column at Velonews.com. In response to a reader question about the proliferation of S-M-L sized frames, Zinn points out that sloping top tubes have eliminated one of the factors that caused people to think/realize that a frame is mis-sized for them, thus letting manufacturers get the economic benefit of fewer sizes without annoying consumers. More info there, if you care to check it out.

by Sui Juris on Feb 21, 2008 11:01 PM EST reply actions

Thanks

Thanks for the responses. Do many commuters or other bike riders own more than one bike?

by John.. on Feb 22, 2008 7:42 AM EST reply actions

smiley?

You forgot the smiley to indicate sarcasm, eh?

More than one bike? Bwahaha.....

-Greg

by gregm on Feb 22, 2008 5:51 PM EST up reply actions

I own 4

but one for each category.

Road - racing (also my commuter in good weather)

Cross -racing in season (outdoor riding in winter)

Mt (cross training in season and mental break)

Fat tire paper boy bike (Schwinn of course) for vacation rides, leisure time, etc.

"Only those who are in top condition can say that the Ronde is not hard. For everyone else, it's the Way of the Cross." -Andrea Tafi

by Drew on Feb 22, 2008 9:13 AM EST reply actions

three:

road bike;

tt bike;

beater/commuter bike;

someday a cross bike may join the herd.

by R Mc on Feb 22, 2008 9:46 AM EST up reply actions

Almost 5

1 road race bike (alum)
1 road bling bike (steel)
1 cross bike
1 Full-susp MTB
1 soon-to-be single-speed roadie

Vlaenderen die Leu

by Peter Fontecchio on Feb 23, 2008 6:51 AM EST up reply actions

Easy

just replace the beater with a cross bike. You'll have a better commuter, your bike # will remain unchanged, and your wife won't make you sleep in the garage. Everyone wins.

"Only those who are in top condition can say that the Ronde is not hard. For everyone else, it's the Way of the Cross." -Andrea Tafi

by Drew on Feb 22, 2008 10:06 AM EST reply actions

chuckle . . .

I lie a little . . . the "tt" bike is actually my old road frame set up with aero bars and a set-back seatpost turned around. (Ok, the aero bars are zipp vuka, but I can explain, really, I can . . .)

The beater is a 1990 trek 990 mtb frame--but I put drop bars on it and took off the derailleurs, so it might qualify as the world's heaviest single-speed cross bike.

by R Mc on Feb 22, 2008 1:10 PM EST up reply actions

Oh, forgot to say

TT bike? You must be an aristocrat ;-)

"Only those who are in top condition can say that the Ronde is not hard. For everyone else, it's the Way of the Cross." -Andrea Tafi

by Drew on Feb 22, 2008 10:07 AM EST reply actions

Hey now!

I must come to R Mc's defense. I, too, have a TT bike. We have a really good TT series on Fiesta Island in San Diego, and it's amazing how much difference a TT frame can make.

by johnw on Feb 22, 2008 11:50 AM EST up reply actions