Road Frames with the steepest angles and shortest wheelbases

[dd74]

What are some of the steepest-angled road frames also with the shortest wheelbases any of you guys out there have ridden?

[marle]

74.25 degree ht angle on a 61.5 frame fwiw

[RPS]

What are some of the steepest-angled road frames also with the shortest wheelbases any of you guys out there have ridden?
I’m sure you realize that shortest wheelbase will correlate somewhat to bike size (i.e. – generally speaking smaller bikes have shorter wheelbases).

Likewise, smaller frames “generally” have steeper seat tube angles but shallower head tube angles.

In that context I’m not sure how to answer your question so that the reply is meaningful. For my size (54) it was probably a late 80s Centurion with about a 75 degree head tube angle and short chainstays. It took a while to discover it, but the downtube was slightly bent in an accident that left the HTA steeper and wheelbase shorter than spec. High speed descends were nerve racking.

[dd74]

I’m sure you realize that shortest wheelbase will correlate somewhat to bike size (i.e. – generally speaking smaller bikes have shorter wheelbases).

Likewise, smaller frames “generally” have steeper seat tube angles but shallower head tube angles.
Yes, I realize that. I'm interested though in just an across-the-board steepness, not dependent on the frame size. :cool:

[RPS]

Yes, I realize that. I'm interested though in just an across-the-board steepness, not dependent on the frame size. :cool:
I'll assume you're interested in steepness of HTA and not STA.

For HTA 74 is the steepest I've ridden on normal bike.

[avalonracing]

Pre-Trek Kleins, Fausto Coppis, and Gios bikes all had a 74ºSTA in my size (57-58cm)

This is about as steep as I have seen in a larger non-custom road bike.

[Blue Jays]

Remember those wild old Rigi frames from the early-1980's with the bifurcated seat tube?
Those were some seriously short and steep bicycles, almost unable to be ridden.

[paulandmonster]

i rode one crazy steep heres the specs


Wheelbase.....................37 1/2 inches
Top tube .......................22 1/2 inches
Chainstays ....................14 1/2 inches'
Head tube angle.............77 1/2 degrees
Seat tube angle .............78 1/4 inches
Bottom bracket height ...10 1/4 inches
Fork rake....................... 1 1/2 inches
Trail .............................. 1 3/8 inches

[RPS]

i rode one crazy steep heres the specs
A great argument for use of smaller wheels? :rolleyes:

[learlove]

my old 1990 cannondale 3.0 (53cm) had 73 st and 73 ht angles but a really tight 96.82cm wheelbase. the next size up (54cm) had 74seat and 74.25 head angles and a 97.71 wheelbase.

http://sanaandterry.com/cannondale/year/1990/1990.pdf

[11.4]

Ridiculously short and steep was the style in the 70s, especially among some American framebuilders. Road bikes couldn't fit most tires without deflating them first to fit them into the then-horizontal dropouts. Head angles of 76 degrees plus were common, as were seat angles in the same range. Bottom brackets tended over 11 inches in height. These were extreme, uncomfortable, poorly handling bikes in almost all regards. I remember when Richard Sachs was an oddball among custom framebuilders because he would only build what is regarded as normal geometry today. Times have changed.

[calgary]

I've acquired a Cervelo R3 with an EC90 fork in a size 48 and although the seat tube angle isn't particularly steep the wheelbase is only 37 inches. There is very little wheel to frame clearance and the toe overlap is huge. I find it a bit twitchy on windy descents.

To compare, I ride a vintage (80s?) Merckx pista with the same top tube length, steeper seat tube and it has a wheelbase of 37.5".

See: http://www.racycles.com/road/complete-road-bikes/cervelo/cervelo-r3-white-package.aspx

[Ti Designs]

I remember when Richard Sachs was an oddball among custom framebuilders because he would only build what is regarded as normal geometry today.

No, he really was an oddball...

[mister]

still is an odd ball, that's good though :beer: