A question of lugged frame aesthetics - sloping vs level top tube?

[GParkes]

I am the proud owner of the assymetrical lugged frame Dave Kirk posted pics of (build pics soon to come). That has a -1.5 degree slope, subtle look, and not intended for any reason but different than my mates. My fillet brazed bike is -6, and that is to race on. For the record, Dave's comments to me were essentially that any stiffness a frame has would come from chain stays, DT, ST diameters, wall thickness, not length of ST.

[oldpotatoe]

Compact is(or should be IMHO) reserved for those riders who need a certain standover coupled with a certain head tube length...on some frames it just isn't possible, without a sloping toptube, to 'get there'.

On all others, I think horizontal is the way to go. Stiffness, weight savings, blah, is the thing of bike marketeers. 'One size fits more people' also, as Giant foisted when they first did a sloping top tube bike, and the resulting S-XL, 4 sizes, sizing. Same for some monocouque frame makers as more than 4 molds cost a lot of $$.

So, for me, make mine level with mamma earth, thanks.

[saab2000]

My Zanconato has a slight slope and it looks great. Generally I'm a fan of level top tubes but you absolutely don't notice it when you're riding and I think the slight slope on the Zank is a bit of a trademark. It's very subtle.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by saab2000

My Zanconato has a slight slope and it looks great. Generally I'm a fan of level top tubes but you absolutely don't notice it when you're riding and I think the slight slope on the Zank is a bit of a trademark. It's very subtle.

Nice bike, nice frame but is the seatpost above the limit line? I know those are 250mm in length but...

[JAllen]

I'm more of a fan of a level top tube. The classic elegance is just so appealing. I have seen the occasional sloped (trends to be subtle) that does strike my fancy.

[bluesea]

Horizontal. I don't think I'll ever have a bike that suits me aesthetically as my Atlanta.


IMG_0663 by pigmode, on Flickr

[saab2000]

Originally Posted by oldpotatoe

Nice bike, nice frame but is the seatpost above the limit line? I know those are 250mm in length but...

It's about 1 cm from the limit. Close...

[eippo1]

Funny thing is that I prefer the looks of a level top tube, but prefer sloped top tubes for the fit I want.

[JasonF]

I love the gentle TT slope on my Spectrum. Gives it a racy and purposeful look.

IMG_2999 by jsfrede, on Flickr

[Tony T]

Originally Posted by oldpotatoe

Compact is(or should be IMHO) reserved for those riders who need a certain standover coupled with a certain head tube length...on some frames it just isn't possible, without a sloping toptube, to 'get there'.

Are you referring to "Short People"

[Tony]

I miss having a level TT on long descents. It was nice being able to grab the TT
with my knees to take some of the pressure off my hands. Not able to with a aggressive sloping TT

[tv_vt]

My proportions/frame size are similar to the 60-ish cm white bike in the first post. With my handlebar height starting to come up to almost the same height as my seat, I like having a slight slope (2-3%) to the top tube to get a bit more seatpost showing. Not crazy about 7-9% sloped TTs, though.

Also, for a travel bike with S&S couplers, having the rear half of the bike be smaller is helpful in packing, especially in larger sizes.

[jdp211]

It really depends on the frame, for me. With a lugged frame, I absolutely prefer a level TT, but Tig'd or brazed look alright with a light slope.

[vav]

tough call. I'd say level but i'd be a hard choice.

[fuzzalow]

Level toptube.

In this case of an Eriksen custom I knew Kent spec'ed his toptube slope angle at 2 degrees so I did not insist on zero degrees. I was looking for the modern iteration of roadrace bike Ti so this was a radical as I was going to get!