Frame sizes

Neil Compton · Post by **Neil Compton** » 12 Oct 2010 09:40

As you know i've just bought a Claud Butler Dalesman but it looks like i'm going to have to change the handlebar stem for a shorter one. I got my tape measure out the weekend to compare the frame measurements to my trek and the top tube of the Dalesman is at least 2 inches longer yet the down tube is about the same.

I know frames vary but i can't understand how the top tube length can be so different !!

AlanW · Post by **AlanW** » 12 Oct 2010 12:07

Hi Neil,

I spoke about this very subject here

It would certainly appear that the trend these days, if thats the right word, is for frames that are produced overseas is to have longer than usual top tube. On the flip side, head tube lengths seem to be less?

chalkie · Post by **chalkie** » 12 Oct 2010 13:14

Have a good think before committing to riding your over-length bike; over extension of the back can be painful on long rides, and may never be a satisfactory ride, will the stem compensate for a 4cms overlength - as alan points out- too short a stem gets very twitchy, can you change the frame?

Neil Compton · Post by **Neil Compton** » 12 Oct 2010 13:29

To change the frame i'd have to send the whole bike back to Bikeshed and i don't really want to do that with the problems i had in the first place. Hopefully raising the stem a bit and shortening the length should do the trick but it looks like i'll have to go to a local bike shop to see what they think.

Post by **CakeStop** » 12 Oct 2010 14:38

If your Trek doesn't have a horizontal top tube, are you measuring to where the top tube would go if it were horizontal (so you compare like with like)?

Neil Compton · Post by **Neil Compton** » 12 Oct 2010 15:20

The treks top tube is horizontal Steve.

Dave Cox · Post by **Dave Cox** » 13 Oct 2010 13:42

Hi Neil,

Top tube length is critical to my mind. To mitigate neck and shoulder ache, I've gradually moved to smaller (shorter) frames as I've got older and invariably replaced the supplied stem with a shorter one and angled it up. I've not found steering twitchy when doing this (although a Bike Shop owner told me it would become so) but it depends on the fork trail. My Bianchi handled alright with a shorter stem but never felt right when I turned it over to get more height. You should end up with reach which feels comfortable and certainly shouldn't be longer than your Trek assuming that is as comfortable as it looks.

Neil Compton · Post by **Neil Compton** » 13 Oct 2010 16:35

Yes Dave i want to be riding the bike for comfort and have been reading up on this matter. I think a shorter stem with another spacer added is an option or a shorter angled stem like the Ritchey Comp. My trek is pretty comfortable to ride over distance but occasionally i might get a little shoulder and neck ache so i certainly don't want to be riding on a bike thats longer.

Post by **CakeStop** » 13 Oct 2010 19:01

Have you ridden it yet Neil? Does it feel uncomfortable or are you just worried that it will be because of how the measurements compare to the Trek?

By the way, what size stem did it come with?

Neil Compton · Post by **Neil Compton** » 13 Oct 2010 19:25

I havn't had chance to ride it properly yet Steve so i'm going to go out for a bash on it the weekend. I did a little ride this evening and had a mess with the saddle position but i need to do the plumb line test. It didn't feel too bad.

The Dalesman actually has a shorter stem than the trek so it's length isnt quite as bad as first thought. Not sure of the stem length though. Don't know where to measure from.

Neil Compton · Post by **Neil Compton** » 13 Oct 2010 19:44

Here is a pic. Saddle has been straightened since photo was taken.

Post by **CakeStop** » 13 Oct 2010 19:50

Centre-centre of each of the brackets I think - I was wondering because if it's a fairly long stem to begin with then a shorter one wouldn't necessarily make the steering twitchy.

Philip Whiteman · Post by **Philip Whiteman** » 13 Oct 2010 20:15

I think you may need to use some weedkiller to remove the grass growing through the paving slabs.

Neil Compton · Post by **Neil Compton** » 13 Oct 2010 20:16

100mm the stem length is.

Neil Compton · Post by **Neil Compton** » 13 Oct 2010 20:18

Philip Whiteman wrote:I think you may need to use some weedkiller to remove the grass growing through the paving slabs.

Ahh, that's my dads place. He can do that. If you saw the state of where i live you would have a shock.

Dave Cox · Post by **Dave Cox** » 13 Oct 2010 20:37

My stems are all less that 100mm now, looks a really good stable bike that will haul a load. Just get the reach measured from any standard point on the saddle to the mid point of the bars where you want it. Looks to be a great bike enjoy !!

Neil Compton · Post by **Neil Compton** » 18 Oct 2010 18:27

I've turned the stem over and it's raised the bars by a good inch or more and brought them closer to me. Had a little ride and it did feel much better. Next tester is to do a longer ride and see how the body feels after that.