Reach on the Downtube
 

I am hoping that one of the numerous Downtube owners on this board can help me with this measurement. I am very interested in ordering a Downtube, but I am a shorter rider with some reach issues. If the seat height is set for a 30 inch inseam, and the handlebars set at seat height, what is the distance from the center of the seatpost to the center of the handlebars?

I have tried to get this measurement by emailing the Downtube site, but have not received an answer. I suspect that they are kept quite busy selling and shipping their very popular bikes. ;)

Thanks in advance for any replies!

I find that my DT's are too short a reach for meand have added an ahead stem to put if further out. And the DT's come with a stock stem that can be flopped 180 degrees to make them even closer to the seat.
Having a short reach would not be a problem. People have been only doing modifications to extend the reach. The 2005 has a fixed stem with a slight curve forward that can be reversed back. The 2006 come with an adjustable ahead stem.

Thanks, Hbob.
I was the previous owner of an 05 Dahon Speed P8, and had to sell it because the reach was way too long for me. And it had no stem to play around with, so I was really stuck with a poor fit.

I am hoping that on the Downtube the measurement from the center of the handlebars to the center of the seatpost can be configured to be 22.5 inches when the seat is set for an 30 inch inseam. That's the magic number for me.

Thank you for your reply - I appreciate it.

Without spinning the stem around, I get about 23 inches from handlebar to seat post center, at my inseam
height. ( I am about 32-33" inseam and 5'11"). If you are looking at the 2006 model, there is an adjustable ahead stem. It is best to email Yan and get an exact measurement on that model. He is not visiting here as much so you might post at the downtube.com forum or send him a private email from a link at this site.

Without spinning the stem around, I get about 23 inches from handlebar to seat post center, at my inseam
height. ( I am about 32-33" inseam and 5'11"). If you are looking at the 2006 model, there is an adjustable ahead stem. It is best to email Yan and get an exact measurement on that model. He is not visiting here as much so you might post at the downtube.com forum or send him a private email from a link at this site.
There all kinds of stem pieces you can buy to make the bike fit to your size. It is one of the cheapest
upgrades you can make.

I am out of town and don't have a tape measure, so I had my assistant measure this. He got 22 3/4 in or 580 mm for the 2005 FS model and 25 1/2 in or 648 mm for the 2006 FS model. Keep in mind the stem is angle adjustable, and he kept it at the maximum distance from the saddle.

Thanks,
Yan

Thanks, Yan! Very kind of you to take the time to respond to a picky question. It seems like the geometry on the 2005 version is more suitable to the rider with a shorter reach.

I'll go and visit your site now!

I have the 05 downtube (not suspension) and I also have a Dahon Speed 8 - the downtube fits me much better - I am 5'2. I changed the handlebars on Dahon to help with the reach - but it is my backup folder. I like the downtube better.

Hi Farrellcollie,
Yes, I know exactly what you mean about the Dahon Speed P8. It's a great bike, just doesn't fit me. Luckily, it was very easy to sell locally. The new owner is 6'2", and it fits him great.

Thanks for your feedback on the DT. I'm 5'3" and the reach on the bike, any bike, is critical. I've had to go the custom build route on my other two bikes, and I was hoping that the DT might be a slam dunk: cheap, functional, and fits just right! We'll see.