Originally Posted by
hodie21
Problem is I like the stiffness of the race bikes.
I had a Cervelo RS that fit better with the higher headtube but it just didn't have the stiffness I was looking for.
Are there other bikes to look at.
Maybe Roubaix or Synapse? But do these bikes deliver in the stiffness department?
It's a gross generalization, but many European bike companies tend to run a bit shorter in the top tube and taller in the head tube than American companies. I think this has to do with a tradition of road racing vs. crit racing. Try bikes from companies like Bianchi and BH.
In any case, on a larger size the additional length in the top tube isn't as significant as it seems because the taller head tube reduces the saddle/bar drop which brings the bars closer to the saddle.