Compact Geometry and Long Distance

How does compact geometry affect comfort over long distances? if at all.

It allows you to have a higher headtube relative to the standover height.
Thus, it is easier to have higher bars.

But the seatpost has to be longer making the bars relatively lower. Stick with
a traditional geometry for comfort- Compact geometry is just a way for bike
companies to produce three sizes and get as many suckers on them as they can.
A bike 1 cm large or small is easy to deal with but compact frames mwke fitting
much more difficult

"Steve" wrote in message news:O9fXa.72576

"B" wrote in message

How does compact geometry affect comfort over long distances? if at
all.

It allows you to have a higher headtube relative to the standover
height.
Thus, it is easier to have higher bars.
B

B, I think that there is a distinction between frames designed as compact
frames that frames that have higher head tubes. Both have sloping top
tubes, but a compact is designed to be smaller ("compact") than a standard
level top tube frame for a given rider size, while the bikes like sloping
top tube Rivendells are not "compact" relative to a level top tube frame.
They are bigger if anything, with similar seat post extension to level top
tube frames, but higher head tubes. Sloping top tubes do no necessarily
equal "compact".


True in theory, but as built, most compacts simply shorten the seat tube.
The top tube length is the important measurement and assuming the TT is
correct for a particular body, you will get plenty of (somewhat useless)
standover height with a very long seat post and no more additional height
on
the headtube and handlebar then on a standard diamond frame.

There might be others, but Rivendell and Heron are the only manufacturers
(I'm not doing much research, mind you) that I'm aware of, that
deliberately
make a longer head tube that has the top tube rising to the head tube, as
opposed to a typical compact that has the TT dropping to a shorter seat
tube. The Riv's and Herons do this so as to get the handlebar up the same
height of the seat without resorting to a long quill stem (so goes the
theory). This is a much different theory then found on compact designs
where you still have to resort to a couple of inches of stack height
spacers
on the steerer tube (assuming it came un-cut) to get the handlebar up near
the saddle height.

SB

I wouldn't the Rivendells "compact" frames. They are bigger, not smaller
than standard level top tube frames.

Compact geometry is just a way for bike companies to produce three sizes
and get as many suckers on them as they can.


Y'all ever heard of Specialized? Checked out their sizing lately? Compact
frames in 1cm increments!

Mike

Y'all ever heard of Specialized? Checked out their sizing lately? Compact
frames in 1cm increments!


Thats's new most are S,M,L, . I still wouldnt want to get beat up on a harsh
aluminum framefor 50+ miles though

[This followup was posted to rec.bicycles.tech and a copy was sent to the
cited author.]

In article ,
says...

Y'all ever heard of Specialized? Checked out their sizing lately? Compact
frames in 1cm increments!


Thats's new most are S,M,L, . I still wouldnt want to get beat up on a harsh
aluminum framefor 50+ miles though

I have a compact frame tourer which I find very comfortable over long
distances. It has normal height head tube (ie a real compact frame) so
the seat post is a bit longer which I think softens some of the bumps a
bit. The frame is CroMo. Chainstays are longer than a road bike. Angles
are not extreme and it is stable at 85 Km/hr with panniers. Nothing
fancy or expensive but I'm happy enough.

Bruce Graham

jason- How does compact geometry affect comfort over long distances? if at
all.
BRBR

If the bike fits ya, none at all...in fact it really does nothing, when
compared to a non-sloping top tube frameset...if both fit ya..It was the stuff
of the finance department...saves some frame makers $$$

Peter Chisholm
Vecchio's Bicicletteria
1833 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535
http://www.vecchios.com
"Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

On Sun, 3 Aug 2003 13:04:35 -0400, Jason T wrote:

How does compact geometry affect comfort over long distances? if at all.

It may be a little tougher to fit properly, or at least,
your LBS may not have as much experience fitting compact
frames; and nothing is worse over long distances than a
bad fit.

I can't imagine any other noticable effects. You're likely
to end up with a long seatpost and/or stem, so they could
conceivably have more flex to them than shorter ones; this
could be more or less comfortable for you.

My compact has a rather short wheelbase, and that probably
rides differently than if the wheels were farther apart.

Advantage to the compact: I've never hurt my balls on the
top tube...

--
Rick Onanian

On 03 Aug 2003 17:22:39 GMT, Pete Hausner wrote:
How does compact geometry affect comfort over long distances? if at all.

It doesn't...except perhaps, in decreasing available water bottle
space/access in smaller sizes.

Good point. My medium Giant TCR2 fits two 28oz standard-shape
water bottles in standard cages, but the one on the seat tube
is a bit tough to get in and out, so I swap them when the one
on the downtube is empty.

PH
--
Rick Onanian

Jason T wrote:
How does compact geometry affect comfort over long distances? if at all.





I have and try to ride now after a very long hiatus... a Masi Record TT.
The geometry is very compact. The ride is much better than I remembered
it to be. It is extremely responsive to the point of dangerous. The bike
has an extra long seat tube. I ride a 55-56 road frame configured
normally. This bike is a 62cm frame and I have mavic horn bars on it and
for a HB stem I use a Specialized 120mm MB style stem that has about a
125 degree (guessing) compared to a road stem that has about a 75 to 80
degree (guessing) angle. It keeps my fat gut from hurting and makes the
bike rideable to me... It may not be "aesthetically correct" but I like it.

The more my chest is over the handlebars tends shorten the time I like
to be on the bike. So, depending on the length of the TT or ride depends
on the type of HB stem I use on the bike... The bike is 4-5 lbs lighter
than my road bike (both are 12 years old atleast).


IMHO,
NS