Short Top Tube CF Road Bikes?
#26
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I am considering a new CF road bike. Ideally I like custom geometry due to stupid long legs and short torso. Most fitters and online calculators suggest approximately 63-64 cm seat tube and 56 cm top tube. I know that a custom CF frame is going to be super expensive (like $7-8k just for the frame), so I am willing to consider a stock frame with “endurance” geometry but I would want one that runs short top tubes.
Any suggestions on models that might approach this?
Any suggestions on models that might approach this?
I really think you should figure out the stack and reach measurements for your Habanero frame. Its a relatively easy process to figure out both, like 5min of some accurate measurements and simple math.
A 62cm Domane has a stack height of 656mm and reach of only 386mm. And while it comes with a 110mm stem, thats an easy swap to use a shorter stem. Also, the head tube length is longer than your Habanero head tube by 35mm.
Thats a guess since your Habanero frame geometry doesnt list stack or reach. Those two measurements really are 90% of whats needed to figure out fit between a couple of drop bar bikes.
#27
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Holy crap!
Yeah, you got a problem. You're running - what, 4 cm of spacers AND a riser stem, on top of a 209mm head tube. And your stem looks like about 100mm. So, even with your short TT, you're running a short stem, so even if you got a bike with a tall enough head tube - like, say, the Endurace in XL - it would have about 2.5 cm or more longer reach (guesstimating here!), so you'd need to run all the spacers you have now, AND because you'd need a stem about an inch shorter, it would also not put the bars as high, unless you got a REALLY high-rise stem.
.
Yeah, you got a problem. You're running - what, 4 cm of spacers AND a riser stem, on top of a 209mm head tube. And your stem looks like about 100mm. So, even with your short TT, you're running a short stem, so even if you got a bike with a tall enough head tube - like, say, the Endurace in XL - it would have about 2.5 cm or more longer reach (guesstimating here!), so you'd need to run all the spacers you have now, AND because you'd need a stem about an inch shorter, it would also not put the bars as high, unless you got a REALLY high-rise stem.
.
...I very well could be oblivious on this.
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so, just for fun i plugged a range around the frame stack and reach from your diagram (363mm reach, 627mm stack) into the geometrygeeks search engine, and the only carbon road frame it comes up with is the domane (380 reach, 611 stack). lots of steel touring/bikepacking bikes. there are a few other interesting results - two models ago drop bar diverge is really close (379 reach, 613 stack), as are some of the carbon sirrus (366mm reach, 619mm stack!) of course neither of those fit the bill. another data point towards the custom approach, or maybe a domane with a long stem and a riser bar...
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Have you looked at a Specialized Roubaix? Assuming that Canyon Endurace was a M or 56 cm size, then a 56 cm Roubaix is 34 mm higher stack. A Specialize Diverge in a 56 cm will get you a 39 mm higher stack but you'll be stretched out 14 mm more, but can compensate with a shorter stem.
#30
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Have you looked at a Specialized Roubaix? Assuming that Canyon Endurace was a M or 56 cm size, then a 56 cm Roubaix is 34 mm higher stack. A Specialize Diverge in a 56 cm will get you a 39 mm higher stack but you'll be stretched out 14 mm more, but can compensate with a shorter stem.
I appreciate all the suggestions and may consider a Domane vs. wait/consider custom CF down the road as my rim brake/cable shifting bike becomes "obsolete."
Last edited by datlas; 03-30-23 at 10:28 AM.
#31
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100mm stem is short? When did that happen? I know it isnt long, but it sure seems to be the most middle of the road common length for stems on larger bikes. They sometimes have 110mm too, but I just havent ever looked at or used a 100mm stem and thought I was using a short stem.
...I very well could be oblivious on this.
...I very well could be oblivious on this.
EDIT: Also he's already running a riser stem, and if he has to go to a stem that's only 3/4 the length, he'll end up with the bars lower OR have to get a more extreme angled stem.
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#32
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Thanks again to everyone who commented. No decisions but plenty to think about.
One more picture, this is the 2013 58cm Roubaix gift bike. As you can see, the seatpost is ridiculously high (just about max), and I used a short up-sloping stem as well. The end result is close to my Habanero fit, but probably a professional bike fitter’s nightmare!
And lastly, my 1986 Custom Alpine, now doing duty on the trainer.
One more picture, this is the 2013 58cm Roubaix gift bike. As you can see, the seatpost is ridiculously high (just about max), and I used a short up-sloping stem as well. The end result is close to my Habanero fit, but probably a professional bike fitter’s nightmare!
And lastly, my 1986 Custom Alpine, now doing duty on the trainer.
Last edited by datlas; 04-01-23 at 12:13 PM.
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Find a geometry chart for your current bike and compare it to a bunch of other bikes that you'd consider. It's easy to tell how they compare (tube lengths, angles, etc) and then you can tell if, within normal fit parts, it will work for you.
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so, just for fun i plugged a range around the frame stack and reach from your diagram (363mm reach, 627mm stack) into the geometrygeeks search engine, and the only carbon road frame it comes up with is the domane (380 reach, 611 stack). lots of steel touring/bikepacking bikes. there are a few other interesting results - two models ago drop bar diverge is really close (379 reach, 613 stack), as are some of the carbon sirrus (366mm reach, 619mm stack!) of course neither of those fit the bill. another data point towards the custom approach, or maybe a domane with a long stem and a riser bar...