Originally Posted by
Zephyr11
As the bike gets slacker, the reach also gets shorter, even when the top tube length stays the same. That's because along with the head tube angle, the seat tube angle also changes, so the bottom bracket moves forward in comparison to the end of the top tube that connects to the seat tube, and therefore, the horizontal distance from the top of the head tube to the bottom bracket decreases.
The other measurement you should concern yourself with is the stack (vertical distance from the bottom bracket to the top of the head tube). A different stack height might make the bike feel taller or shorter. This can be adjusted somewhat with spacers, different rise bar, or a different angle stem though.
As never said though, it's a different bike, and no matter what, it'll ride differently. There are a bunch of things you can do to tweak the fit, and it doesn't sound like it's so different that handling will be completely compromised getting it to fit comfortably.
Great, that was very informative.
Thanks -- seems like I will be able to tweak the fit as you put it. It may take quite a short stem, but that can have its advantages too.
I also went and tried two bikes locally: a Specialized Camber and a Cove Hustler. The Camber was only available in a Large, but Specialized bikes have a longish top tube, and I tried the biggest version of the Hustler made. The Camber was good, but the Hustler was awesome. I had expanses of space, and no cockpit restrictions! I wouldn't ride it in tight twisty steep terrain though. Moreover, the Pike fork was set for 140mm of travel and the steerer hadn't been cut. So I was very upright on such a big bike. Still it was worth trying it to see what a long TT can be like (24.5" Est. TT, but with a 100mm stem too). Too bad the Santa Cruz dealer in my area is miles and miles away.