How much top tube slope is too much?
04-07-19, 01:06 PM
#51
Banned
04-20-19, 06:23 PM
#52
Senior Member
Thread Starter
You top tube slope is fine and I really like the look. Great bike.
I prefer a sloping top tube and 5 degrees is just about perfect in my book. I have a custom frame that I had built and that was done with 5.4 degrees of slope.
But the real test is the ride. If that bike fits you perfectly - and it seems it does - and you enjoy the heck out of riding it, then it's right. Form follows function in my book - you've apparently nailed the function aspect; so there's your answer.
j
j.
I prefer a sloping top tube and 5 degrees is just about perfect in my book. I have a custom frame that I had built and that was done with 5.4 degrees of slope.
But the real test is the ride. If that bike fits you perfectly - and it seems it does - and you enjoy the heck out of riding it, then it's right. Form follows function in my book - you've apparently nailed the function aspect; so there's your answer.
j
j.
04-20-19, 06:23 PM
#53
Senior Member
Thread Starter
when i'm riding my bike and i look down at the top tube, i cannot tell how much slope it has. And i'm usually looking down at it because i don't want to see how much further that 16% grade i've got to cover.
If you are really worried about it, get a 90's time trial bike and ride that.
If you are really worried about it, get a 90's time trial bike and ride that.
04-22-19, 02:43 PM
#54
Senior Member
I think an inch or so is ok. More than that it starts looking as a women specific model or some kind of gravel grinder/mtb. The less the better imo.
04-22-19, 05:11 PM
#55
Advanced Slacker
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 5,936
Bikes: Soma Fog Cutter, Surly Wednesday, Canfielld Tilt
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2638 Post(s)
Liked 2,367 Times
in
1,334 Posts
04-22-19, 05:50 PM
#56
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,527
Mentioned: 217 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 17508 Post(s)
Liked 4,133 Times
in
3,072 Posts
I'm not a big fan of sloping top tubes. They're in style, and even most of the parallel top tube holdouts such as Colnago have caved to pressure.
In general:
But, a lot of things have changed in cycling in the last 20 years or so.Anyway, get the head tube too tall, and I struggle with getting the bars in the right place.
And, I really don't see the need for 1' to 2' of seatpost sticking out.
In general:
Sloping Top tube ==> Really tall seatpost & Really tall headtube.
But, I'm not sure if either is really desirable.But, a lot of things have changed in cycling in the last 20 years or so.
- Threadless stem, integrated headset, etc. This in effect gives a lower stack height for the stem (although there is a lot of adjustment). This effectively allows lowering the bars.
- Much better brake hoods. And, more acceptable to ride on the hoods. Compact bars? This effectively raises the hand position on the bars.
- Oversized Tubing, and Oversized Seatposts (stronger), and perhaps better quality machining of the seat tubes.
And, I really don't see the need for 1' to 2' of seatpost sticking out.
04-23-19, 08:16 AM
#57
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: West Orange County, CA
Posts: 1,112
Bikes: '84 Peugeot PH10LE
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 397 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 55 Times
in
39 Posts
I'm a total c&v guy so in my opinion, ANY slope in the top tube is too much.
Jon
Jon
04-24-19, 07:03 AM
#58
Senior Member
I'm not a big fan of sloping top tubes. They're in style, and even most of the parallel top tube holdouts such as Colnago have caved to pressure.
In general:
But, I'm not sure if either is really desirable.
But, a lot of things have changed in cycling in the last 20 years or so.
Anyway, get the head tube too tall, and I struggle with getting the bars in the right place.
And, I really don't see the need for 1' to 2' of seatpost sticking out.
In general:
Sloping Top tube ==> Really tall seatpost & Really tall headtube.
But, I'm not sure if either is really desirable.
But, a lot of things have changed in cycling in the last 20 years or so.
- Threadless stem, integrated headset, etc. This in effect gives a lower stack height for the stem (although there is a lot of adjustment). This effectively allows lowering the bars.
- Much better brake hoods. And, more acceptable to ride on the hoods. Compact bars? This effectively raises the hand position on the bars.
- Oversized Tubing, and Oversized Seatposts (stronger), and perhaps better quality machining of the seat tubes.
Anyway, get the head tube too tall, and I struggle with getting the bars in the right place.
And, I really don't see the need for 1' to 2' of seatpost sticking out.
Also with the current trend in more upright position for gravel (and, I’m sure, due to an aging population), this then becomes what a “classic” bike frame is now.
Besides that, I think a gently sloping top tube looks pretty cool.
J.
04-24-19, 08:19 AM
#59
Advanced Slacker
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 5,936
Bikes: Soma Fog Cutter, Surly Wednesday, Canfielld Tilt
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2638 Post(s)
Liked 2,367 Times
in
1,334 Posts
I like a lot of seatpost showing. Leaves room for a saddle bag and an extra water bottle position when needed.
Likes For teejaywhy:
04-27-19, 01:03 PM
#61
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Lebanon (Liberty Hill), CT
Posts: 8,295
Bikes: CAAD 12, MASI Gran Criterium S, Colnago World Cup CX & Guru steel
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1653 Post(s)
Liked 1,162 Times
in
677 Posts
I'm good with my Guru Sidero (steel) but much more than that turns me off. I've changed the stem and it's basically flat now.
04-27-19, 03:49 PM
#62
Advanced Slacker
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 5,936
Bikes: Soma Fog Cutter, Surly Wednesday, Canfielld Tilt
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2638 Post(s)
Liked 2,367 Times
in
1,334 Posts
Salsa Fargo has it about right.
04-28-19, 03:31 PM
#63
Senior Member
Thread Starter
04-28-19, 03:33 PM
#64
Senior Member
Thread Starter
04-28-19, 03:35 PM
#65
Senior Member
Thread Starter
04-28-19, 03:38 PM
#66
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Anyway, guys, I took another picture just now, very carefully, sitting on the floor and making sure to be level with the bike. Here's the pic:
So I think I am comfortable with the slope after all. It's not too much, and just enough to look modern.
Ignore the ripped up bar tape. I made the mistake of putting clear tape on the bar tape while packing it.
So I think I am comfortable with the slope after all. It's not too much, and just enough to look modern.
Ignore the ripped up bar tape. I made the mistake of putting clear tape on the bar tape while packing it.
