Originally Posted by
BlarneyHammer
That makes sense. Thanks!
...but why aren't cyclocross bikes the same way? Urban commuters? ALL bikes? Is there any advantage to level or nearly level top tubes? And if so, you'd think at least a couple mountain bikes would be made with a more level top tube.
That's why I mentioned "uneven terrain." Commuters are on flat ground and while cyclocross includes dirt, most of it looks like groomed track through parkland, and the tougher sections are typically run through on foot with the bike shouldered. Cheaper 26" wheeled mountain bikes with no suspension seem to have flatter top tubes. As mentioned above the trend toward larger 29" wheels and long travel suspension increases the height of the headtube, and so necessitates a more steeply angled top tube to get reasonable stand-over clearance.