Originally Posted by
CrossChain
Other factors being equal, what noticable performance/handling differences, if any, would there be between a conventional frame-- which I know and whose appearance I prefer-- and its compact cousin?
I always thought a smaller triangle is sturdier/stiffer/stronger than a larger triangle. If we forget compact v regualr frames for a sec and compare 2 regular frames, one 50cm, one 58cm, I would say the smaller one is stiffer.
Now we can apply this analogy to a compact frame, a 58cm compact frame and 58cm regular frame, I'd say the smaller triangle (compact frame) is stronger.
As an aside, I too prefer the look of a regular frame (see my post "My ugly Allez" but I'm now getting more accustomed to compact frame designs.