63cm top tube????

[SoCalSteve]

How long of a torso would you have to have and how short of legs? (http://www.ebay.com/itm/221146744728?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649)

The bike looks amazing, but whack geometry, yes?

[Jawn P]

Long and low. Tall guy that's all torso.

[echelon_john]

Low is right! 185mm HT is tiny on a bike that size.

[vav]

frame would fit Michael Phelps ;)

[SoCalSteve]

So, it is pretty whack, yes?

[rphetteplace]

I'm about the same height and run a 62.5tt iirc. My head tube is about 23cm. So hypothetically he's probably about the same proportions as I am just in way better shape and can handle the drop that looks by the seatpost to be at least a foot. He could also have gorilla arms and have a 7' wingspan.

[SoCalSteve]

I mean...I'm 6' 5" and run a 60 cm top tube with a 13 cm stem...and a 20 cm head tube...

Would I run a 10 cm stem? Doesn't seem like it would handle well, does it?

[maunahaole]

Probably whack for you. Which is whack enough not to bite.

Maybe not whack for someone else, though.

[tuscanyswe]

Seat tube is only 72 degrees tho. So if you normally run a 73 thats another centimeter closer to your normal fit. I guess an 11 cm stem wich really isent that strange.

The headtube is kinda short for that tt tho.

[SoCalSteve]

Seat tube is only 72 degrees tho. So if you normally run a 73 thats another centimeter closer to your normal fit. I guess an 11 cm stem wich really isent that strange.

The headtube is kinda short for that tt tho.

And the steerer tube has been cut way down too...

[SoCalSteve]

Probably whack for you. Which is whack enough not to bite.

Maybe not whack for someone else, though.

I guess I'm thinking waaaaay back to a thread that was started by the Jerk talking about how "your stem is too short".

This would certainly be a case of that, yes?

[carpediemracing]

The guy is 6'5". I'm 5'7" and if I ran compact style bars I'd use a 59.5 cm top tube. With regular reach bars I have a 56.5 cm top tube. I sized the top tube so I use a (-17 deg) 12 cm stem. I'm not 6'5" so I have a minimum 9.5 cm head tube. If I could I'd take 2 cm out of that but I can't so I didn't.

Don't let the numbers wig you out. In fact, Chris Boardman rode a 53 cm bike with a 63 top tube and a 17 stem when he broke the Eddy Merckx style hour record:
http://www.bikeradar.com/fitness/article/aerodynamics-made-easy-30981/

[rice rocket]

Seat tube is only 72 degrees tho. So if you normally run a 73 thats another centimeter closer to your normal fit. I guess an 11 cm stem wich really isent that strange.

This man understands geometry.

[SoCalSteve]

This man understands geometry.

Problem is, I run a 72* already....

[Chance]

The guy is 6'5". I'm 5'7" and if I ran compact style bars I'd use a 59.5 cm top tube. With regular reach bars I have a 56.5 cm top tube. I sized the top tube so I use a (-17 deg) 12 cm stem. I'm not 6'5" so I have a minimum 9.5 cm head tube. If I could I'd take 2 cm out of that but I can't so I didn't.

You could always start a new trend by using a 30-degree stem turned down.;)

Seriously though, an option for a guy built like you trying to get much lower may be smaller wheels like 650C. That could provide much more than 2 cm lower bars although if you race (based on your name) it may not work at all.

[Chance]

How long of a torso would you have to have and how short of legs? (http://www.ebay.com/itm/221146744728?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649)

The bike looks amazing, but whack geometry, yes?

The large picture of the assembled bike looks pretty good to me. Rough scale off screen confirms top tube is longer than seat tube if measured center to center, but the bike looks proportional (read normal) to me.

If the saddle was lowered for a rider with shorter legs but long torso it would look right. Personally wouldn't call it a whack geometry at all. Small bikes are built with top tubes 5 cm longer than seat tube on a regular basis. They also normally use a shorter-than-normal stem.

Loading the front wheel enough due to long front center may become an issue if new rider is shorter or with shorter torso. Other than that looks like a nice bike for someone out there.

[John H.]

This bike is the opposite of faster backwards.
Anyway, I have known guys who ride similar dimensions. One rides a 58x64, the other ride a 50x56- both with pretty long stems.

[carpediemracing]

You could always start a new trend by using a 30-degree stem turned down.;)

Seriously though, an option for a guy built like you trying to get much lower may be smaller wheels like 650C. That could provide much more than 2 cm lower bars although if you race (based on your name) it may not work at all.

I contemplated both, the stem recently and 650c a while - 15? years - ago.

I do have an adjustable stem and in late 2004 I had the thing pointed as far down as it could (Ritchey 12 cm adjustable on a size M Giant TCR). I've started to accumulate 13 cm 65 deg stems in anticipation of getting a new 58.5 cm top tube frame - slightly less extreme front center than a 59.5, maybe 1 cm higher BB to get the right bar drop with an FSA Compact bar (which I really like).

A picture just before I ordered my first custom frame before the 2010 season. In this shot I'm on a 76 seat tube, 57 top tube, 14 cm stem, with my normal reach bars. My bike ended up having a 75.5 seat tube instead of a 76, 56.5 vs 57, and I use a 12 cm stem (didn't have one at the fit picture visit - I only verified the fit at the shop, I did the "fit" myself).

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TbmplkIYLx8/Sw3GtxSq9QI/AAAAAAAACRw/hLu8cFOwnRw/s320/010.JPG

[ultraman6970]

That bike is an almost squared 63... just measure center to top and you have an almost squared frame. whats weird is to see something that long even in carbon fiber. Wonder how flimsy the bike is at the front. For touring might work but for racing that thing has to wave a little bit. Nice bike tho, don't like the majority of IF bikes but this one looks sweet, racing geometry maybe?

[AgilisMerlin]

I did the "fit" myself).

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TbmplkIYLx8/Sw3GtxSq9QI/AAAAAAAACRw/hLu8cFOwnRw/s320/010.JPG


always tinkering' - :banana:

[rphetteplace]

I imho don't think the bike would work for you Steve. I saw it too and was tempted but that drop is way too much for me. Ryan

[Chance]

The amount of saddle-to-bar drop won't necessarily be so much for the next owner. If the saddle needed to be 4 or 5 cm lower and a higher-rise stem is used the amount of drop may be fairly typical. Hard to say without specifics.

Also, based on second look front center doesn't appear that long, particularly for such a large bike.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8048/8135211184_90be78b8d5_c.jpg

[alioup]

This IF (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Independent-Fabrication-Crown-Jewel-/230877615556?pt=Road_Bikes&hash=item35c160d5c4) has the opposite geo and would fit me perfectly.

[keevon]

I mean...I'm 6' 5" and run a 60 cm top tube with a 13 cm stem...and a 20 cm head tube...

Would I run a 10 cm stem? Doesn't seem like it would handle well, does it?

Steve - I'm the same height and ride bikes with the same measurements. A couple years back I bought a used, custom steel frame that was floating around this forum or V-Salon: 63cm TT, short HT. I really wanted it to work, but in the end it was just too long and low.

Stick with bikes that fit. Pass on the Corvid.

[TimD]

frame would fit Michael Phelps ;)

Or maybe Axel Merckx :)

Nothing wrong with an 11cm stem, BTW.

[Chance]

I mean...I'm 6' 5" and run a 60 cm top tube with a 13 cm stem...and a 20 cm head tube...

Would I run a 10 cm stem? Doesn't seem like it would handle well, does it?

Seems your math is close enough for government work. Given your present bike is also 72 degree STA, then going from 60 to 63 cm TT will necessitate “approximately” switching from 13 to 10 cm stem (more or less depending on relative angles).

Also your present head tube is 20 cm versus this bike’s 18.5 cm. Without knowing what stem and spacer combination you ride there is no way of knowing what would be required to replicate your fit on this bike. For example, if you are riding a 13 cm -17 degree stem without many spacers then finding an extra 1.5 cm of height is easy. On the other hand if you are riding a +30 degree stem on top of a lot spacers then it won’t be easy to make it work.

Will admit not being a disciple of Jerk’s theory on bike stem lengths (made this obvious in a thread wanting to put it to an extreme test). His theory didn’t apply to me at all when it was put to the test years ago after buying a custom steel frame with a top tube that was also 3 cm longer. Had purchased the bike from a racer cheap (it was given to him by team) in order to strip the Campy components, but before disassembling took the time to install an 8 cm stem in place of my regular 11 cm. After a few long rides it felt so good that it changed my mind. Kept it for a long time and rode it often.

If anything looks whack about this bike is that the hoods seem way forward of the front axle. Not sure why that makes a bike handle better.

[SoCalSteve]

Thanks to everyone for the input!!!

I decided not to bid, even though the bike is amazingly beautiful, geo wise it wouldn't have worked for me.

Steve

[stackie]

It's on it's way to a new home.... Mine.

Need some build kit stuff. I'm thinking Shimano. Should I go Tiagra or Sora?

Jon

[stackie]

Ha ha, I'm converting to Campy. Shimano has gotten too ugly.

Anybody got opinions on stem/seat post? I've been a quill stem holdout, so I need educating on the cool new thread less stuff. I'm thinking ENVE seat post. Wondering about Ritchey c260 carbon wrapped stem though. Thoughts.

Help me pimp my ride.

Jon

[tuscanyswe]

Thats a very nice bike you got, congrats!

Regardless of what you pick for stem / post keep it the same brand / serie if you can, always look better.