Why sloping frame

A bike frame with a sloping top tube encourages and compliments this choice by providing a sufficiently long effective top tube length in a smaller, nimbler package that could fit many riders with the help of a longer seat post and stem.

A longer head tube on a bicycle with a traditional top tube results in a longer seat tube too because the top tube is horizontal has to attach higher on the seat tube. In consequence, the head tube found on a bigger bicycle can be used on a smaller frame too.

Another benefit of sloping top tubes is that they allow designers to make frames with shorter seat tubes without going down in frame size. This feature is particularly beneficial when engineering mountain bikes and bicycles designed for shorter individuals.

Since frames with sloping top tubes have a shorter seat tube, the rider has to use a long seat post to find a proper fit. Meanwhile, bicycle frames with a horizontal top tube have very little seat post showing because most of it is in the seat tube. The result is a harsher, firmer ride. A suspension seat post requires room and length to operate.

Frames with sloping top tubes reduce the chances of having this problem. However, if the frame is too big for a rider, this issue may manifest regardless of the top tube design. Another bonus of longer seat posts is that the riders can install more accessories on them thanks to the extra real estate. For example, the exposed seat post on my bicycle allows me to comfortably fit a quick-release bracket for my Carradice bag and a large cycling light.

For that reason, TT time trial bikes use a horizontal top tube. However, classic frames with horizontal top tubes often have long seat stays inserting high on the seat tube and therefore adding drag. To avoid this problem TT bikes have modified low seat stays hidden behind the rider. Sloping top tubes result in a smaller front triangle severely limiting the size of the frame bags that you can use.

Also, sloping top tubes make it difficult to fit a regular water bottle on the seat tube. The compact frame allows me more standover room and easier mounting and dismounting of a loaded bike.

I have no trouble mounting a frame pump under the top tube. I do have tight clearance for water bottles, but that's because the frame is so small in general. I'm very pleased with the bike - it fits me like a glove and is extremely comfortable to ride. My upper body is relatively long compared to my legs, but with a custom frame I have no problem. Would you buy a suit or pair of shoes that only came in S, M, L?

To compensate for the slope, an extra long seatpost is required, offsetting any weight savings. Effective Top Tube length is perhaps the most important fit parameter for a frame. Having only three different TT sizes to choose from compromises fit. Riders with short legs may benefit from the sloping top tube in that they can get adequate standover clearance. I can think of several advantages of compact frames: 1 Production expenses are reduced: fewer frame sizes saves a lot in the cost of jigs, fixtures, and tubing.

The industry has been doing this quite a bit in the last few years. If you carry your bike on your shoulder. If you have a bike rack with a horizontal holder for the top tube. No images, text, graphics or design may be reproduced without permission. All rights reserved. Login with Social ID:. Evan Marks not verified. Art not verified. Robin not verified. Thus, the continual evolution of the English language Carol not verified. John Z not verified. Timothy McCarthy not verified.

Tom Laskey not verified. Compact is More sometimes. John not verified. If a rider with a shorter inseam finds the handlebars to be comfortable when set at the same level as her saddle, the taller rider may find the bars to be too low relative to her higher saddle height. No problem, you say — simply raise the bars. Since it is rarely the case that a rider considers her bars to be too high, this is a palatable solution.

My guess is tall head tubes are in vogue because when sloping top tubes became the standard, we lost comfort at the front end and realized we had to get it back. Stems do come in a variety of lengths and angles, but the option of raising the stem is often the deal breaker.

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