Originally Posted by
ThermionicScott
Many older frames had top tubes that were short in relation to the seat tubes. It was common to see large frames with the same 57cm top tube as the smaller models -- people just used a longer stem to make everything work. I think this was so a builder didn't have to keep as many different lugs on hand.
Nowadays, bikes are more "square" -- a large frame will generally have a top tube that is effectively the same length as the seat tube.
This seems like he best answer. The BIKES were from the 70's not ME. I mean, I was from the 70's but I really just started riding a few years ago and I still have a 60cm (maybe a 58) Raleigh Marathon that still fits me fine. The 1500 was an '05 (no sloping top-tube-of-deception on that bike) and it was just too long of a reach t the bars, so I like the square-bike theory just fine.
__________________
"I'm built like a marine mammal. I love the cold! "-Cosmoline
"MTBing is cheap compared to any motorsport I've done. It's very expensive compared to jogging."-ColinL
Rides:
2023 Salsa Journeyer
2023 Rad Rover 6
1980ish Raleigh Marathon (Vintage Steel)
2006 Trek 820 (Captain Amazing) RIP
2010 Specialized Tricross (Back in Black)
2008 Specialized Roubaix RIP