Originally Posted by
SurferRosa
I'd like to hear from one of our regulars that believes 2cm in top tube is a "measly" amount. For me, even a half cm in top tube length is significant. A shorter bike cannot simply be made up with a longer stem. It will certainly help make it fit, but the bike will feel very differently. It just takes experience to know.
So I have bikes that have from 70-110mm stems. Sure, they ride different, but they fit. What's the point of having all your bikes ride the same? Do you only ride on a flat oval? That would be tragic.
My biggest issue with a frame too small is bar drop. Not a lot of adjustment in your average stem. Yes, there are stems that can go "up" along with seat, but for me, they look goofy. In addition to not riding a bike that doesn't fit physically, it also needs to fit aesthetically.