Traditional Geometry
#1
Ass Hatchet
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Western NC
Posts: 711
Bikes: Felt FC custom | SRAM Force/Red mix.| RS80 Wheels | 3T Cockpit & Post.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Traditional Geometry
I'm a fan of traditional geometry. I prefer a horizontal top tube. With all the "swoops and slopes" out there today do you ever see a return of the classic shape frame? Discuss. I'm very curious what you guys think.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Near Sacramento
Posts: 4,886
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I don't. At least not with the prevalence of CF frames. You can always get a new steel frame with the classic look. I don't expect that will stop.
__________________
-------
Some sort of pithy irrelevant one-liner should go here.
-------
Some sort of pithy irrelevant one-liner should go here.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Torrance, CA
Posts: 1,113
Bikes: '06 Specialized Allez Expert
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I hope not. While a traditional geometry frame may be esthetically pleasing, it doesn't work nearly as well as modern compacts for those who are inseam-challenged, like me. My choices in the good old days were to ride a frame I could actually stand over, but feel crunched while riding; ride a frame that felt OK when riding, but basically had to dismount when stopping; or buy custom.
#5
Ass Hatchet
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Western NC
Posts: 711
Bikes: Felt FC custom | SRAM Force/Red mix.| RS80 Wheels | 3T Cockpit & Post.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Uh, you'd be grossly incorrect. I own a traditional steel Bianchi and more current, a 2006 GURU Carbon traditional geometry. I tried several sloping frames and found them all far less comfortable as well as aesthetically lacking in comparison. My question is valid. If the overwhelming consensus was a future filled with a bunch of sloping top tubes, compact geometry, and crazy curves... then I am looking to buy up some traditional frames and keep them for the future. Among that list is a Colnago C-50 and a Merlin Extralight. So, no... not a troll. A serious rider with a valid concern who values the opinions of "most" on this forum. Thanks for playing.
#6
Banned.
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Upland Ca
Posts: 19,895
Bikes: Lemond Chambery/Cannondale R-900/Trek 8000 MTB/Burley Duet tandem
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
3 Posts
Compact or traditional doesn't bother me. But that thick curved look of the TT on Specialized CF frames looks kind of PeeWee Herman'ish!
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 298
Bikes: Cannondale CAAD9, Trek 4300
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I like the minutely sloping TT of my CAAD9.
What I really don't like are the heavily curved tubes on the Trek Madone and the Orbea Orca. The Tarmac doesn't look so bad to me.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Harrow, Middlesex
Posts: 267
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
i have a De Rosa SLX from the late 80s which i am in the painstaking process of building up. these things are so beautiful, but the bottom bracket area is a veritable nightmare. IMO, this shape looks just so much more elegant than some of the new CF shapes one can find about the place.
but i seriously doubt any frames of that shape are going to be found in a modern pro peloton. in a world where people are more interested in eye catching features rather than basic functionality, a traditional frame is just...boring.
but i seriously doubt any frames of that shape are going to be found in a modern pro peloton. in a world where people are more interested in eye catching features rather than basic functionality, a traditional frame is just...boring.
#9
Jet Jockey
MadCity beat me to the Cannondale.
My Six13 has a very slightly sloping top tube, like the CAAD 9 in the above picture. But it's very slight. The "traditional" look of it was one of the appealing things to me...yet it has a definite modern edge as well.
My Six13 has a very slightly sloping top tube, like the CAAD 9 in the above picture. But it's very slight. The "traditional" look of it was one of the appealing things to me...yet it has a definite modern edge as well.
__________________
Good night...and good luck
Good night...and good luck
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,744
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
2 Posts
I bought a 2007 53cm Jamis Eclipse Steel/Carbon frame set and transferred everything over from a Pedal Force RS frame. 73 head, 74 seat with a 54cm horizontal top tube. It's all Jensen USA's fault. If I had not received that blasted catalog in the mail with the Eclipse listed as closeout, I would never have contacted Jamis to see if any frame sets were remaining. Blast my luck if they did have a few left.
The Pedal Force will get built up again eventually. It's currently in a dormant state sitting in the corner of my bedroom.
The Pedal Force will get built up again eventually. It's currently in a dormant state sitting in the corner of my bedroom.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Georgia
Posts: 1,753
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Los Angeles/Aveyron France
Posts: 5,308
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
i don't mind sloping toptubes, but i still think round tubes and lugs look way better than all the aero fatness going on.
#13
Senior Member
Uh, you'd be grossly incorrect. I own a traditional steel Bianchi and more current, a 2006 GURU Carbon traditional geometry. I tried several sloping frames and found them all far less comfortable as well as aesthetically lacking in comparison. My question is valid. If the overwhelming consensus was a future filled with a bunch of sloping top tubes, compact geometry, and crazy curves... then I am looking to buy up some traditional frames and keep them for the future. Among that list is a Colnago C-50 and a Merlin Extralight. So, no... not a troll. A serious rider with a valid concern who values the opinions of "most" on this forum. Thanks for playing.
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/505995-how-modern-can-you-make-old-road-bike.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/361558-retro-roadies-old-frames-sti-s-ergos.html
The Classic of all threads concerning old frames with modern groups:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=361558