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Which builders build frames with shorter top tubes?

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Which builders build frames with shorter top tubes?

Old 09-12-07, 11:15 AM
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Which builders build frames with shorter top tubes?

I want to buy a bike/frame with a long seat tube and comparatively shorter top tube. I am aware that each manufacturer has "stock" geometries that they use. Without getting custom, which bikes have a shorter top tube? Thanks. (And by the way, I googled the bjeezus out of this question and came up with nothing)
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Old 09-12-07, 05:49 PM
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Serotta comes to mind.

Most frames are pretty much the same when you take the seat tube angle into account - frames with short top tubes usually have steep seat tubes. A steep seat tube "effectively" lenghens the top tube by streaching the "reach" to the bars after you you shove the seat back to gain the proper position behind the bottom bracket. Never adjust reach by sliding the saddle forward. Position saddle relative to bottom bracket to afford the best spin, then adjust reach with stems (or a new frame with the proper reach).
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Old 09-12-07, 08:10 PM
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Colnago has a short top tube and relatively shallow seat angle.
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Old 09-12-07, 10:58 PM
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Originally Posted by skinny
Colnago has a short top tube and relatively shallow seat angle.
Seat tube angles are steep in the smaller sizes but get more normal as the frames get larger.

Oh, and Merckx frames have fairly short top tubes and medium steep seat tube angles as well.
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Old 09-12-07, 11:07 PM
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I guess a 73 deg seat angle seems shallow to me for a racing bike, but is probably normal, as steeper seat angles in smaller sizes are normal in well designed frames. Still it has a short top tube.
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Old 09-18-07, 09:52 PM
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Check out R+E Cycles in Seattle. (rodcycle.com)
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Old 09-24-07, 06:09 AM
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I never expected such thoughtful responses. Thanks to the input here I have just purchased a bike that fits. Thank you all.
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Old 09-27-07, 10:22 AM
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If you were using a smaller wheel size, say 650C, you could shorten the top tube without making the seat tube angle sharper.
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