Traditional Geometry
 

I'm a fan of traditional geometry. I prefer a horizontal top tube. With all the "swoops and slopes" out there today do you ever see a return of the classic shape frame? Discuss. I'm very curious what you guys think.

I don't. At least not with the prevalence of CF frames. You can always get a new steel frame with the classic look. I don't expect that will stop.

I hope not. While a traditional geometry frame may be esthetically pleasing, it doesn't work nearly as well as modern compacts for those who are inseam-challenged, like me. My choices in the good old days were to ride a frame I could actually stand over, but feel crunched while riding; ride a frame that felt OK when riding, but basically had to dismount when stopping; or buy custom.

You ask what I think? I think this is a troll.

Uh, you'd be grossly incorrect. I own a traditional steel Bianchi and more current, a 2006 GURU Carbon traditional geometry. I tried several sloping frames and found them all far less comfortable as well as aesthetically lacking in comparison. My question is valid. If the overwhelming consensus was a future filled with a bunch of sloping top tubes, compact geometry, and crazy curves... then I am looking to buy up some traditional frames and keep them for the future. Among that list is a Colnago C-50 and a Merlin Extralight. So, no... not a troll. A serious rider with a valid concern who values the opinions of "most" on this forum. Thanks for playing.

Compact or traditional doesn't bother me. But that thick curved look of the TT on Specialized CF frames looks kind of PeeWee Herman'ish!:D

http://video.cannondale.com/images/0...8RA95D_clr.jpg
I like the minutely sloping TT of my CAAD9.

What I really don't like are the heavily curved tubes on the Trek Madone and the Orbea Orca. The Tarmac doesn't look so bad to me.

i have a De Rosa SLX from the late 80s which i am in the painstaking process of building up. these things are so beautiful, but the bottom bracket area is a veritable nightmare. IMO, this shape looks just so much more elegant than some of the new CF shapes one can find about the place.
but i seriously doubt any frames of that shape are going to be found in a modern pro peloton. in a world where people are more interested in eye catching features rather than basic functionality, a traditional frame is just...boring.

MadCity beat me to the Cannondale.

My Six13 has a very slightly sloping top tube, like the CAAD 9 in the above picture. But it's very slight. The "traditional" look of it was one of the appealing things to me...yet it has a definite modern edge as well.

I bought a 2007 53cm Jamis Eclipse Steel/Carbon frame set and transferred everything over from a Pedal Force RS frame. 73 head, 74 seat with a 54cm horizontal top tube. It's all Jensen USA's fault. If I had not received that blasted catalog in the mail with the Eclipse listed as closeout, I would never have contacted Jamis to see if any frame sets were remaining. Blast my luck if they did have a few left.

The Pedal Force will get built up again eventually. It's currently in a dormant state sitting in the corner of my bedroom.

Thats about the only thing I liked the old Trek Madone for. I was sad to see it go.

i don't mind sloping toptubes, but i still think round tubes and lugs look way better than all the aero fatness going on.

I started riding in 1976. Having grown up with "Old School" geometry, that's what I prefer. My 2 main road bikes are both Waterfords, bought used and built up by me. You're going to get very different answers in this forum than the Classic & Vintage. I suggest trying that one. There's actually a couple threads of old frames equipped with modern groups, best of both worlds.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=505995

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=361558

The Classic of all threads concerning old frames with modern groups:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=361558