Does what I'm looking for in a frame exist?
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,541
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From: Boston, MA
Bikes: Bianchi Volpe, ANT 3-speed roadster, New Albion Privateer singlespeed, Raleigh One Way singlespeed, Raleigh Professional "retro roadie" rebuild, 198? Fuji(?) franken-5-speed, 1937 Raleigh Tourist, 1952 Raleigh Sports, 1966 Raleigh Sports step-through
Does what I'm looking for in a frame exist?
I have a Shogun 300 frame built up as my fast road bike, with 9-speed Ultegra stuff on it, and 700C wheels w/ 35mm Paselas. The frame was originally built for 27" wheels. I really like how it handles, but it's just a tiny bit too big for me (I can stand over it, barely, and the TT is only 55cm), and I happened into a 53cm Bianchi Sport SX frame a while ago. It fits me much better than the Shogun, at 53cm square, except for one detail: the seat tube angle is too steep!
I have long femurs and a preference for leather saddles, and most bikes made for people my height (around 5'6"-5'7") have 74º or steeper seat tube angles, making it very difficult to get the saddle back far enough, even when the frame accepts a 27.2mm seatpost so I can use the VO one with extra setback.
So I'm looking for a smallish steel road frame with a 72-73º seat tube angle (at most! shallower is better!) that will accept 32-630 or 35-622 wheels, ideally with an English-threaded BB and 26.6 or 27.2mm seatpost diameter (I have a vintage Campy seatpost that's 26.6mm).
What models should I be looking for?
I have long femurs and a preference for leather saddles, and most bikes made for people my height (around 5'6"-5'7") have 74º or steeper seat tube angles, making it very difficult to get the saddle back far enough, even when the frame accepts a 27.2mm seatpost so I can use the VO one with extra setback.
So I'm looking for a smallish steel road frame with a 72-73º seat tube angle (at most! shallower is better!) that will accept 32-630 or 35-622 wheels, ideally with an English-threaded BB and 26.6 or 27.2mm seatpost diameter (I have a vintage Campy seatpost that's 26.6mm).
What models should I be looking for?
#4
Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2004
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Typically, when I encounter a rider with a long femur, I make the adjustment using a combination of longer cranks and saddle setback. This does not upset the weight distribution and handling as much as relying totally on saddle setback. Given that the OP is riding a small frame, there is a good probability that it is fitted with shorter crankarms and it should be relatively easy to find and fit longer cranksarms that will resolve enough of the issue so that a frame swap or extreme setback posts are not req'd.
#5
Senior Member


Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Port Angeles, WA
Bikes: A green one, "Ragleigh," or something.
1970s Raleigh Super Course.
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
#6
Senior Member




Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 15,367
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From: Seattle area
Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?
Lemond's were known for slack seat tube angles and longer top tubes. It was an across-the-product-line characteristic, pre-Trek at least.
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Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
#9
Señor Member



Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Hardy, VA
Bikes: Mostly English - predominantly Raleighs
A specific suggestion. A 1973 Raleigh Grand Sport(s), 20.5" frame size. Haven't searched surrounding years, but here's the advantages.
1. It's not an especially rare model or size
2. 531 tubing throughout
3. Good tire clearance and frame geometry that suits
4. Has a nice ride, and has a distinctive look. (a few weeks ago, a gentleman who's about 10 years my senior was overtaking me, and he noticed what I was riding. He said, "its been a long time since I've seen one of those". I turned to look back and saw that he was on a pristine, 1974 Raleigh International)
5. A relative "sleeper", due to demand for Professiionals, Internationals and Competitions from the same year.
6. Comes in the 20.5" seat tube size, vs the Super Course (and other models) in smallest frame size of 21.5.
1. It's not an especially rare model or size
2. 531 tubing throughout
3. Good tire clearance and frame geometry that suits
4. Has a nice ride, and has a distinctive look. (a few weeks ago, a gentleman who's about 10 years my senior was overtaking me, and he noticed what I was riding. He said, "its been a long time since I've seen one of those". I turned to look back and saw that he was on a pristine, 1974 Raleigh International)
5. A relative "sleeper", due to demand for Professiionals, Internationals and Competitions from the same year.
6. Comes in the 20.5" seat tube size, vs the Super Course (and other models) in smallest frame size of 21.5.
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In search of what to search for.
In search of what to search for.
#10
mycocyclist
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 993
From: Monkey Junction, Wilmington, NC
Bikes: 1964 Schwinn Paramount P-13 DeLuxe, 1964 Schwinn Sport Super Sport, 1972 Falcon San Remo, 1974 Maserati MT-1, 1974 Raleigh International, 1984 Lotus Odyssey, 198? Rossin Ghibli, 1990 LeMond Le Vanquer (sic), 1991 Specialized Allez Transition Pro, +
Trek Lemonds have the longer top tube.
Last edited by machinist42; 09-23-17 at 03:50 PM. Reason: adding a "v" to have
#11
Senior Member




Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 15,367
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From: Seattle area
Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?
https://classiclightweights.net/wp-co...talogue-11.jpg
Here's one data point from '97.
On sizes 57&59 seat tube angle 72.5 on the volume selling road bikes. 72deg on 61cm.
I would consider the top tube measurements to be ~1cm or more than usual: 57 = 57.5 tt, 59 = 59 tt.
Your experience may be different.
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Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
#12
mycocyclist
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 993
From: Monkey Junction, Wilmington, NC
Bikes: 1964 Schwinn Paramount P-13 DeLuxe, 1964 Schwinn Sport Super Sport, 1972 Falcon San Remo, 1974 Maserati MT-1, 1974 Raleigh International, 1984 Lotus Odyssey, 198? Rossin Ghibli, 1990 LeMond Le Vanquer (sic), 1991 Specialized Allez Transition Pro, +
https://classiclightweights.net/wp-co...talogue-11.jpg
Here's one data point from '97.
On sizes 57&59 seat tube angle 72.5 on the volume selling road bikes. 72deg on 61cm.
I would consider the top tube measurements to be ~1cm or more than usual: 57 = 57.5 tt, 59 = 59 tt.
Your experience may be different.
Here's one data point from '97.
On sizes 57&59 seat tube angle 72.5 on the volume selling road bikes. 72deg on 61cm.
I would consider the top tube measurements to be ~1cm or more than usual: 57 = 57.5 tt, 59 = 59 tt.
Your experience may be different.
#13
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 28
From: Boston, MA
Bikes: Bianchi Volpe, ANT 3-speed roadster, New Albion Privateer singlespeed, Raleigh One Way singlespeed, Raleigh Professional "retro roadie" rebuild, 198? Fuji(?) franken-5-speed, 1937 Raleigh Tourist, 1952 Raleigh Sports, 1966 Raleigh Sports step-through
What about something that doesn't have a long top tube?
BTW, I randomly happened across a 26.8mm MTE-100 seatpost last night! It doesn't fit any of the frames I currently have, but I picked it up anyway....I've been looking for one of those for a long time.
EDIT: Turns out that the MTE-100 actually fits the Bianchi frame I have. Hmmmm
BTW, I randomly happened across a 26.8mm MTE-100 seatpost last night! It doesn't fit any of the frames I currently have, but I picked it up anyway....I've been looking for one of those for a long time.
EDIT: Turns out that the MTE-100 actually fits the Bianchi frame I have. Hmmmm
Last edited by agmetal; 09-25-17 at 03:44 PM.






