the disadvantage of crank forward bikes
is that the rider position
is not ideal
for putting power to the pedals
and the op should know
that most bikes made today have sloping top tubes
but are not crank forward style bikes
and yes
sloping top tube is mainly intended to improve standover clearance
and make it possible for a greater range of rider sizes
to ride a smaller range of bike sizes
also
to the op
please notice that the previous two posters
who think crank forward bikes would be very good for a commuter bike
are recumbent riders
which
while not bad in and of itself
indicates a certain attitude wrt upright bikes
in my opinion
upright bikes are great
recumbents are great
crank forward bikes are kind of a poor comprimise
Last edited by Wilfred Laurier; 12-15-13 at 10:18 AM.