Don't Hate me.....

[Benotti69]

oof, that doesn't sound good. Trade out Calfee for Kirk Lee on the list. What's with all the custom guys ending with an "ee"? I think it's some carbon conspiracy.

i think you meant 'carbon conspiraceeeeeeeee'

 

[k_gibbo]

Why is Third Reich livery so popular and available from every bike mfg on the planet? Every time I go for a ride the majority of carbon RR bikes are always some combination of red/white/black.

Colnago EPQ if you're a bigger rider, C59 for lighter riders, Campagnolo Super Record naturally.

I think you have read my mind, with a change of the wheels (enve)... I am wondering about the difference between traditional and sloping frames. Can someone please tell me what are the reasons to pick one style frame over the other?

 

[Bustedknuckle]

I was once about to pull the trigger on a Calfee Tetra Pro. What stopped me was a long standing issue with little chainrings rubbing the chainstays. Calfee's solution was to use a spacer on the BB or grind down the chainstay. The thing about it that bothered me was that it was a known problem that had not been fixed for years. These days I get the impression that Craig Calfee is more interested in his program for bamboo bikes for the third world than taking care of his carbon fram business.

I did find this image of a Calfee Dragonfly on their site. I really like the bare carbon lugs with painted tubes. It reminds me that I liked the BMC Impec when I first saw it. I thought the lugs would be titanium or another metal. I was disappointed to find out that they were plastic. To make it even more chintzy, they are not even one solid piece of plastic; they are two clamshell-like pieces. Unlike BMC, Calfee did their lugs right.

He actually 'fixed' this when he went to english BBs instead of Italian. How he did it was to offset the entire BB shell to the RH side because you are right, he refuses to ovalize the RH chainstay.

I agree he more concerned with his circus bikes, like bamboo recumbents and tandems. He has completely forgotten what initially made him successful, nice lugged carbon.

 

[ElChingon]

I think you have read my mind, with a change of the wheels (enve)... I am wondering about the difference between traditional and sloping frames. Can someone please tell me what are the reasons to pick one style frame over the other?

First off it depends on your frame size, some are not in Sloping. Check out Colnago.com for the details.

Second, I thought you wanted Aero? Not that I don't like the Colnago, it would of been my personal choice.

 

[marathon marke]

First off it depends on your frame size, some are not in Sloping. Check out Colnago.com for the details.

Why would frame size determine whether or not the TT slopes?
I didn't see anything on the Colnago site that addressed this.
Thanks.

 

[k_gibbo]

I ride a 54 cm Trek right now, I was told a 54cm traditional frame, or a 50cm sloping would be the size for me.... The main thing I am wondering is what would be the difference in performance between the two styles of frames...

 

[Damiano Machiavelli]

I ride a 54 cm Trek right now, I was told a 54cm traditional frame, or a 50cm sloping would be the size for me.... The main thing I am wondering is what would be the difference in performance between the two styles of frames...

Performance difference: None.

It is best to try out a sloping tube frame rather than relying on a measurement that is a few cms smaller than a traditional frame. Head tube lengths have gotten crazy lately.

 

[k_gibbo]

[/IMG]

I like the Black on Black....

 

[ElChingon]

Why would frame size determine whether or not the TT slopes?
I didn't see anything on the Colnago site that addressed this.
Thanks.

Just checked the site, looks like Colnago is now offering all the sizes or range in Sloping, didn't before, same for traditional so I guess you can get either one! I know the C50 didn't offer all sizes in Sloping before unless custom (I think).

 

[marathon marke]

First off it depends on your frame size, some are not in Sloping. QUOTE]

Still I ask: "Why does frame size determine whether or not the TT is sloping?"

 

[rickshaw]

!!!!

Interesting concept she races with the same club as me so I know where she is when I am racing... She likes to train with me when she is not at work.... I am pretty sure I am just very fortunate!

Very x100 fortunate. Maybe the angles DO exist?

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

Still I ask: "Why does frame size determine whether or not the TT is sloping?"

Has nothing to do with frame size it's mostly aesthetics because performance advantage is zero to none. Sloping top tubes on road bikes was directly adopted from MTB, the rationale originally was lower center of gravity, stiffer, better handling. The result of compact geometry wasn't in the performance realm, it is debatable, but the mfg's soon found out that they didn't have to carry every single size with compact geometry as with traditional frames, also a secondary result was a way to cut production costs. Thankfully Colnago offers the full range of compact and traditional. Ride both and you more than likely won't notice a difference. I prefer traditional geometry with true horizontal TT's because sizing is more exact.

For the OP take a look at the geometry chart for a C59, and match up what most closely resembles your current bike so long as it fits you.

 

[DirtyWorks]

... the mfg's soon found out that they didn't have to carry every single size with compact geometry as with traditional frames, also a secondary result was a way to cut production costs.

Helloooo Giant. The manufacturers still doing road frames in 2cm increments will be relegated to boutique brands because the savings are huge at Giant. Managing 3 models instead of twice that generates lots of extra money in razor-thin margin proportions. They didn't invent it, but it was and is a sensible business decision.

I like the sloping top tube because my whacky body proportions make standover a minor issue.

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

Helloooo Giant. The manufacturers still doing road frames in 2cm increments will be relegated to boutique brands because the savings are huge at Giant. Managing 3 models instead of twice that generates lots of extra money in razor-thin margin proportions. They didn't invent it, but it was and is a sensible business decision.

I like the sloping top tube because my whacky body proportions make standover a minor issue.

Totally agree from a big biz perspective, though the boutique brands are always going to be there for people that are more custom fit oriented and individualistic.

I ride both compact and traditional, have no real preference from a ride perspective, just try to avoid mfg's that only offer 3 sizes for a bike, fit is most important obviously, can be achieved with whatever, but I think covering a large geometry spectrum for a bike mfg translates to a better fit. I ride mostly gravel roads on a compact carbon frame and I'm enjoying it. Century road riding traditional geometry steel. For pure CX I think traditional triangles regardless of material are essential for portaging. Colnago got this right with that shoulder bridge.

 

[Michielveedeebee]

[/IMG]

I like the Black on Black....

Bikegasm

 

[Pete Subs]

The wife just told me she thinks I should have a mid life crisis and get my "dream bike". Once you suppress your jealousy I would love to hear some different ideas or advice. I am currently riding a Trek 5000 w/ultegra.

I race on the weekends so I want something fast! My first thoughts are a Colnago C59, but I am also thinking of going more aero, maybe a Cervelo S3. Also, any thoughts between the big 3 groupsets??

k_gibbo

I bought a Battaglin C13 SUPER RECORD in Italy which comes with Bora Ultra and is handbuild. What is your budget?

Let me know what you think: http://www.battaglin-usa.com/road/c13_evo_super_record.php

 

[k_gibbo]

Has nothing to do with frame size it's mostly aesthetics because performance advantage is zero to none. Sloping top tubes on road bikes was directly adopted from MTB, the rationale originally was lower center of gravity, stiffer, better handling. The result of compact geometry wasn't in the performance realm, it is debatable, but the mfg's soon found out that they didn't have to carry every single size with compact geometry as with traditional frames, also a secondary result was a way to cut production costs. Thankfully Colnago offers the full range of compact and traditional. Ride both and you more than likely won't notice a difference. I prefer traditional geometry with true horizontal TT's because sizing is more exact.

For the OP take a look at the geometry chart for a C59, and match up what most closely resembles your current bike so long as it fits you.


Thanks, this answers my main question regarding frame type. If the main difference is looks, I will defiantly go with traditional.

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

Thanks, this answers my main question regarding frame type. If the main difference is looks, I will defiantly go with traditional.

Colnagos look much better with traditional geometry. Good choice!

 

[Notso Swift]

Everything looks better traditional,
Traditional does also have a heavier weight for a bare frame, so the marketing department doesn't like that, but you get more flex from the compact after the mast. meaning longer and heavier seat posts anyway! Hence going to intergrated seat posts the solution to the question no one asked

As a big persone the compact actually rules out many many bikes for me, I need at least a 60cm TT, plus a 14 cm stem, and the XXL from most guys are in the 58-59 range and it is not just as simple as getting a 16cm stem!

 

[marathon marke]

Has nothing to do with frame size it's mostly aesthetics because performance advantage is zero to none. Sloping top tubes on road bikes was directly adopted from MTB, the rationale originally was lower center of gravity, stiffer, better handling. The result of compact geometry wasn't in the performance realm, it is debatable, but the mfg's soon found out that they didn't have to carry every single size with compact geometry as with traditional frames, also a secondary result was a way to cut production costs. Thankfully Colnago offers the full range of compact and traditional. Ride both and you more than likely won't notice a difference.

Thanks, RDV4. That's what I've believed all along. I thought I was missing something here.

 

[42x16ss]

[/IMG]

I like the Black on Black....

WOW! I need to go and change my pants. That looks AWESOME, and I own a black on black Super Six!

 

[42x16ss]

Everything looks better traditional,
Traditional does also have a heavier weight for a bare frame, so the marketing department doesn't like that, but you get more flex from the compact after the mast. meaning longer and heavier seat posts anyway! Hence going to intergrated seat posts the solution to the question no one asked

As a big persone the compact actually rules out many many bikes for me, I need at least a 60cm TT, plus a 14 cm stem, and the XXL from most guys are in the 58-59 range and it is not just as simple as getting a 16cm stem!

Bingo. I've tried a compact frame (Giant TCR) and didn't like the extra flex from the longer seatpost at all. It can make for a more comfortable ride but unless I was racing big distances every week I wouldn't want it. Stick with the traditional TT IMO.

 

[Pete Subs]

The wife just told me she thinks I should have a mid life crisis and get my "dream bike". Once you suppress your jealousy I would love to hear some different ideas or advice. I am currently riding a Trek 5000 w/ultegra.

I race on the weekends so I want something fast! My first thoughts are a Colnago C59, but I am also thinking of going more aero, maybe a Cervelo S3. Also, any thoughts between the big 3 groupsets??

It didnt work the first time and I had to post a link to their website. Here is a picture I found about my current bike. Its seems like many of you post about Colnago's, what about this Italian?

 

[The Gnome]

you sure she isn't having an affair? sounds very suspicious to me...

 

[ElChingon]

you sure she isn't having an affair? sounds very suspicious to me...

Not a bad trade, an affair for a all out bike buy. I call it even.