I'm getting sorta tired of staring at 15 feet of seatpost sticking out of my mountain bike. Does anybody still make a good traditional frame mountain bike?

I see "traditional" geometry most often in the steel frame makers - Soma Fabrications, Salsa, etc., though it seems to be as much a result of the size of the frame as anything else.

Some would argue that "good" and "traditional" are oxymorons. Mountain bikes have evolved away from the road frame proportions they sprung from for good reason.

Agreed, they have progressed for a reason. If you want a rode bike get a rode bike.

Or buy a REALLY big mountain bike.

So what if you ride your mountain bike more like a road bike like me? I mainly ride roads, it just happens that most of them aren't paved. What are the big advantages of compact geometry? Do they apply to my type of riding?

That sounds like the realm of the "comfort" or "hybrid" bike. Geometry is more roadlike; travel is minimal; and seating position is more upright. Many (like my wife's Specialized Expedition) have mountain drivetrains (as opposed to road gears). Just about every mfr makes hybrids that might be more to your liking.

hmmm what about ebay or something. Nishiki used to make a mean mtbike that was far more suited to road work. In reality it doesn't sound like you need a mountain bike, you need a bike that fits no bill. Some of the surly's are more traditional in geometry. What about the kona assvault line.

Surly Pugsley (HA is still slackish compared to old school mtbikes)
Surly one by one (73degree HA)
Trek Soho

And seriously, Just buy bigger. Instead of using the usualy mtbike fit where the bike has room to move, jam that seatpost down and buy bigger. Geometry is easy to find, the size of the bike is gonne give you that seatpost up the butt feeling more than anything. Have you ever thought of trying a 29er. Might suit what you want to do better. Really any company offers the traditional geometries but now call them commuters/urban or comfort.

Its always been a little bit off to come to a mountain bike forum and ask for whats basically a commuter. Sorry for the abrupt responses but a mountain bike is a mountain bike and a road/dirt path bike does not require the sizing, geometry or durability that mountain bikes do.

Its even kind of sexy looking.

A cyclocross bike sounds up your alley....

The mountain bikes are to my liking. I have over 13,000 miles riding the bikes in these conditions over the last couple years. That translates to a lot of seat time considering the average speed is usually in the 12-13 mph range on these rough roads.

The roads i ride are called county roads around here. They call them different things in different parts of the country, but what i can tell you is they are primitive. Some are sand based, some are earth, (mud when wet), all of them are very rough and jarring. The last few days i have been battling sand drifts. The county has applied sand to a lot of the roads, and it is more treacherous than likely many mountain bike trails.

It is a full time job to keep the bike upright as the front wheel likes to wander. I do like the bike you posted Mael, just not for me. My riding is anything but urban! I just posted because i think my bike looks stupid with so much post exposed. My road bike is traditional and doesn't suffer from this.

The "old" xc bike has become the new "urban" bike. Unless you go semi custom you will find it difficult to find a xc bike that suits the geometry you are looking for.

Is this geometry anywhere close to what you're looking for?

Sounds like you should look into a custom.

What happened to Ritchey mountain bikes ? When did they stop making traditional frames ? ALL of his bikes are Break-Away and he doesn't even make a mountain bike .

Its funny you mention this. My old riding buddy, who gave the sport up years ago, laughed at me when i showed him pics of the new bikes i was considering.

The slope of the top tube made him think they were all womens bikes.

Funny how things change in 10 years.

From the look of your bike in the pic, not all that extreme?? Depending on frame geo/size, minimum 6 to 8 inches of post is really about right -- as above, the point is to have the t/t at least 3 inches or so below your crotch when straddling the bike. That said, also as above there are some mfgs. who still do more 'trad' looking frames, though often expensive; also, many European makers, especially German, stick to the older profile for xc bikes, e.g. BMC or Focus.

Might also want to look at Bianchi's MTB's.

how about a cyclocross bike? you get a wider wheelbase, but with kind of a road bike feel. chew on it

The same thing that happened to Joe Breeze, Keith Bontrager, Chris Chance, Joe Murray, Otis Guy, etc., etc. The big bike companies either bought them out, or contributed to the over-hyping of "must have" new components. The sad thing is that Gary Klein is next on this list. Even though Trek owns the brand, it is slowly disappearing. A couple of years ago, Klein offered dozens of different models of bikes: this year they are down to four. Sign of the times I guess.

Cool photo of J.Tomac when he was a Fetus .