Road Cycling - Short wheel base- why ?

I noticed that the bikes in the TdF have extremely short wheel base.
Can anyone tell me what is the advantage of short wheel base other than saving weight ?

I noticed that the bikes in the TdF have extremely short wheel base.
Can anyone tell me what is the advantage of short wheel base other than saving weight ?

Short wheelbase bikes turn more quickly.

Quicker handling, useful in tight situations.

A short rear triangle is stiffer than a longer one. This was more significant for steel tubed bikes of old; now that tubes are fatter or use carbon mouldings, stiffness can be built-into longer frames.

Man, I love a short wheelbase. Have you ever ridden a track bike..oooo, baby.

Lighter steering; and it seems to make the bike feel faster and 'whippier'.

I had not ridden in about 10 years and before that it was a mountain bike. well I got on my first racing bike and man that was hard to control at first. it takes some getting used to to handle the turning. looking over my shoulder would have me wandering all over (G)

I remember my first ride on my Battaglin TT funny bike. 36.5" wheelbase. One turn of the head or simply lifting a hand from the bars sent me all over the road. Took a few days to get used to it but nothing like the feel of a fast handling bike. It is still a little scary on a fast downhill rough road though.
Tony

As most riders in the Tour etc are riding custom frames, how can you possibly say that they have short wheelbases? In fact, I've noticed that a lot of pro riders have longer top tubes than us mere mortals, so that would suggest the opposite is true. ( See some of the write ups on the pros bikes at cyclingnews.com )

A short wheelbase doesn't do much for handling like a lot of people seem to think. Steering geometry has a much greater effect on how a bike will handle. Tony, your Battaglin handled like it did mostly because it probably had a 75 degree head angle, not much rake, and placed your weight/cg too far forward over the front wheel.

Thy,
I agree. The head angle is steep and combined with a 650c front wheel and a fork that keeps that tiny wheel tucked in tight to the down tube how could it do anything but twitch!
I love it though. A real classic from 1985 when all the big makers were into the funny bike thing. I would not take it on a Century but for ripping around my neighborhod loop I use for fitness it's a blast from the past. The frame is a bit small for me too and I am rebuilding it all on a Merckx TT frame of the same vintage a bit larger.
One day I am going to get a "normal" bike for regular riding <g>.
Tony

G'day,

I agree with Tigerboy....most of the bikes in the TDF will be stock frames, (or so the 'blurb goes)...nothing small about them. Isn't that the beauty of this sport?....I can ride exactly the same bike as Thor Hushold!, (he says as he looks between his legs & realises he IS riding exactly the same bike as Thor Hushold!...but mines a better colour Thor!),

cheers,

Hitchy