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You all would benefit from a lower top tube you just dont know it.

7154 Views 90 Replies 18 Participants Last post by duriel, 3 mo ago

Low rider

this way too small mtb with a high riser stem results in much more unobstructed leg movement. I’m getting a custom road/gravel frame made (in titanium) that’s similar with a highly sloping top tube and short headtube.

why do road bikes even have a high top tube and mountain bikes show they can be strong enough with a low tube?

Is there any disadvantage to having a short head tube and using a high riser stem?

It seems the long head tube in combo with a more level stem and higher top tube are purely done for aesthetics. ..actually I find the toptube can have a rare usefulness when occasionally I’ll pinch it between the legs for stability, but it’s rare and not worth it.

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81 - 91 of 91 Posts

velodog

· #81 · 3 mo ago

History 101

A sloping Top Tube has nothing to do with a cyclists legs. It is nothing more than manufacturers sizing bicycles like Tee shirts. Instead of offering frames in one, or two, centimeter size differences from the mid to low 40's to 62cm or larger, they can now make them in XS, S, M, L & XL. All ya gotta do is stick in a longer seat post and stem to make it fit.

And then some knucklehead rolls up and it's "Oh boy, the Top Tube doesn't interfere with my massive thighs while I power thru my ferocious sprint!".

Yeah, you got it all figured out.

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tlg

· #82 · 3 mo ago

André Greipel said he retired because he was sick and tired of having sore knees from banging the top tube.

j/k

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cxwrench

· #83 · 3 mo ago

Given the near limitless amount of things that pro racers complain about if hitting their legs on the frame was a problem we'd know all about it. I was a pro team mechanic for the better part of 15 years and not a single rider I worked with or knew ever mentioned it. If it does happen I'm betting the majority don't even realize it much less care about it. Not neuron why you're obsessing over this, it's getting a little weird.

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Low rider

Discussion Starter · #84 · 3 mo ago (Edited)

cxwrench said:
.... If it does happen I'm betting the majority don't even realize it ...

agreed. only counter argument ive heard so far is no one notices, which isnt an argument so much as a realization.

is it worth obsessing over? yes. sprint results are effected. the video above is a prime example. Also beats talking about chainlube for the 20th time and I see no related threads. This is fresh meat. .

unrelated to the topic but

cxwrench said:
for the better part of 15 years

wouldnt that be 8 years or more?

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bvber

· #85 · 3 mo ago

Low rider said:
At 7:06 and going beyond for a couple seconds is an obvious example of legs hitting against the top tube in a sprint by the guy in the white shorts over and over again!

And he won! You may want to try the same. Same as in the Vastus Medialis development like his and you too may win some races.

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duriel

· #86 · 3 mo ago

Low.... You don't like TTubes, so just take your bike and cut the dam thing off. It's not needed and it's stiffer if there is none right. Just do it!!!!!!! Why are you here, get out to the garage and cut it off!!!! Stop trying to change everyone, be yourself and prove to the world what smucks we are, are you scared?

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tlg

· #87 · 3 mo ago

I invested $10 million dollars in developing a radial new design sprint machine. It will revolutionize the pro peloton!
All the top sprinters are lining up to buy one.
We completely removed the top tube from interfering with the knee stroke. It was affecting too many people.
Anyone who's taken an engineering strength and statics class can easily tell how strong and stiff this frame is.
And of course... it only comes in green... to match your sprinters jersey!

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craiger_ny

· #88 · 3 mo ago

Low rider said:
im undeterred in my belief.

We know. Boy do we know.

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Lombard

· #89 · 3 mo ago

tlg said:
I invested $10 million dollars in developing a radial new design sprint machine. It will revolutionize the pro peloton!
All the top sprinters are lining up to buy one.
We completely removed the top tube from interfering with the knee stroke. It was affecting too many people.
Anyone who's taken an engineering strength and statics class can easily tell how strong and stiff this frame is.
And of course... it only comes in green... to match your sprinters jersey!

Just think. Now the pros can wear skirts!