when i recently (and finally) installed the fork on my touring frame i was surprised to find out it had a sloping top tube, albeit a mild slope. normally, i prefer the straight top tube because not only do i think it looks better, but i take comfort knowing that the bicycle manufacturer took the time to make a frame in my size, and not try to combine two or more sizes into one frame. (getting off point here, i know...)

aside from any bias i might have, i have noticed this:

-i feel like i am up higher on the sloping tube, even though i probably am not (might be the 700x32's as well. we'll see when i size down to 700x28). the handlebars feel like they are propped up more.

-standover height is not as generous as i would have hoped. considering that i stand in front of the sadle when i am standing over my bike, the top tube is actually slightly higher at that point than i am used to on a straight top tube. i will admit that at my small stature, i didn't exactly have acres of clearance to begin with, but this was never problem on my other bikes with straight top tubes.

i think i need to get used to it more, but these are my first impressions. overall, i still think straight top tubes look a hell of a lot better.