brians647

Does anybody know of a manufacturer that makes a bike in a size 56-58cm frame with a seat tube angle in the 72 or 72.5 degree range? At that size, I'm finding that the slackest that most manufacturers go with is a 73 degree seat tube, with some going as high as 73.5 or 74. The only time that I find a 72 or 72.5 degree seat tube is on a 60cm and up frame, and that would be waayy too big for me in the top tube area.

I'm asking this as my LBS measured me in the shop and found that not only do I have a short torso, but I have a very long femur. One of the fixes recommende to finding a better fitting frame for me is one with a slack seat tube (a short top tube would be nice too). I really don't want to go custom for various reasons.

Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

vpiuva

You'll probably be able to find a touring frame with slack angles, but then you'll have a longer chainstay & wheelbase, too. Not sure if that's what you want.

biker7

I am the same...long femurs and short torso. In the old days frames with 72deg, sta's abounded but not many around these days due to setback seatposts. I therefore always look for a frame with a 72.5 deg. sta. Look 555 for '06...not '07 has such a frame in a 57 c-t-c which is what I ride. Look however I believe...changed this for '07...would have to double check. If you want a CF frame, for the dollar they are hard to beat for ride, finish and stiffness.
HTH,
George

brians647

Good advice, thanks for the suggestion.

As for what Vpiuva said, I know I'm slow, but I don't think I need to go the touring bike route just yet (emphasizing YET). But the Look is a pretty cool frame, maybe I can find a leftover '06.

Thanks again!

biker7

I have stated this before, its a jump ball between any of the top brand CF frames out there. Big companies become big because of demand for good products. So in summary, my view is buy the frame with the most value, i.e. performance per dollar. Fit is key and most buy on aesthetics anyway...lol.
You can pick up a new '06 Look 555 on e-bay for $1200. I have a hard time spending $2K for a frame as a recreational cyclist. If I had the talent to race competitively and a sponsor wanted to give me a Look 595, that would be fine.
If I felt I could buy more frame for the money in another brand, I would have but couldn't find a better new frame for less then this amount.
Cheers,
George
P.S. will add based upon the comment above about slack angles...I rode a large Bianchi with classic Bianchi geometry which I felt was a bike with outstanding handling. It isn't even close with the Look frame. It will handle circles around the Bianchi. The Bianchi by comparison is BMW 7 series and the Look a 911. What would take me a full curve at 25mph on the Bianchi, I can track around the inside of the same curve on the Look which I have. If you compare the geometry the Look has a bit more upright head tube and shorter chain stay and wheel base but it is the entirety of the bike that makes it handle this way. I didn't think it was possible to have a bicycle track so precisely and yet turn so immediately.