Frame sizes
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- Neil Compton
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- Joined: 19 Nov 2006 15:39
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- Location: Northfield
Frame sizes
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 !!
I know frames vary but i can't understand how the top tube length can be so different !!
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?
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?
"You only need two tools: WD40 and duct tape. If it doesn't move and it should, use WD40. If it moves and it shouldn't, use duct tape"
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?
and on the 7th day God created CLEATS..!
- Neil Compton
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- Joined: 19 Nov 2006 15:39
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- Location: Northfield
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.
- Neil Compton
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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.
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
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- Joined: 19 Nov 2006 15:39
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- Location: Northfield
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.
- Neil Compton
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- Joined: 19 Nov 2006 15:39
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- Location: Northfield
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.
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
- Posts: 256
- Joined: 19 Nov 2006 15:39
- Real Name:
- Location: Northfield
Here is a pic. Saddle has been straightened since photo was taken.
Last edited by Neil Compton on 13 Oct 2010 20:04, edited 3 times in total.
- Philip Whiteman
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- Neil Compton
- Posts: 256
- Joined: 19 Nov 2006 15:39
- Real Name:
- Location: Northfield
- Neil Compton
- Posts: 256
- Joined: 19 Nov 2006 15:39
- Real Name:
- Location: Northfield
- Neil Compton
- Posts: 256
- Joined: 19 Nov 2006 15:39
- Real Name:
- Location: Northfield