Originally Posted by
calgary_jim
You know, I just don't understand why. The pro's ride small frames, long stems and seat posts that look like flag poles. Mine would be too big by their standards but I love it. Why the trend?
Frame geometry not just size. See sig pics, two bikes, 3 contact points saddle/bars/crank are all in the same alignment around two completely different frame geometries.
The Roubaix is a classic, stretched out, flat top tube design, just a small sprig of seat mast.
The Helix is a more modern compact design, towering seat mast.
Originally Posted by
cbresciani
Smaller frame, less material, lighter bike? Although with those long stems I would think it would be a wash.
Stems weigh next to nothing. It's a little bit of material on one tube, versus little bit of material on a lot of tubes.
Most likely comes back to stiffness.
Long stems have more stable steering, 100mile road races in a peloton, stable slow steering is nice. The reverse could be said for a criterium type race, so I dunno if that really plays much into it.
Also a smaller frame is easier to fit. Standover is definite. Longer seatpost, longer stems is easier than the alternative.