Is the long Roubaix top tube so much of an issue ?
Raffles
Posts: 1,137
Ive my eyes open for a 2nd bike, a big mile eater which is very comfortable. Tall head tube is a must for me as I really hate the low down and stretched out position which comes with using short head tubes. The bikes that are on my list to have a look at are the Cannondale Synapse, Specialized Roubaix and Jamis Ventura. Both the Dale and Jamis seems to be made with big miles in comfort in mind, slightly shorter top tubes and plenty tall head tubes being in their specification. Im 5 ft 9 and I ride size 54 in a bike, what mystifies me is why Spesh have a 548mm long top tube when CDale have 540mm and Jamis 538mm on their size 54`s. With the CDale it would be a 100mm stem, the Jamis a 110mm stem and the Spesh probably the dreaded 90mm stem for me. I just cannot fathom the need for such a long top tube on the Spesh, those bikes have a reputation for utter comfort but having to use a fidgety 90mm stem would be a dealbreaker for me. Those who own Roubaix`s, has the overly long top tubes in relation to the frame size caused any issues for you ? In terms of the spesh, if I looked at the size 52 then the head tube length would be the dealbreaker , now if the made the size 52 frame with a size 54 head tube.........sorted !
2012 Cannondale CAAD 8 105
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Are you seriously asking why different manufacturers have different geometry on their bikes?
You can't expect every size 54 bike to have exactly the same dimensions... maybe you should contact specialized directly and they'll shave 8mm off the top tube on the 2014 models for you.
What mystifies me is why Cannondale have 540mm and Jamis 538mm on their size 54 when Specialized have a 548mm long top tube.
People are different shapes. Just because the Specialized is relatively long (but still short compared to 'normal' geometry frames) for you doesn't mean it is too long for someone else. Just as well really that bike geometries do vary in the same way that peoples geometries vary.....
Incidentally, there is nothing fidgety about 90mm stems. I use them - no alternative. They are fine. You might find one ever so slightly twitchier than a 100 mm stem for about 500 yards but after that it would be fine. It isn't anything worth losing sleep over.
Well, the head tube angle would change things but not the seat tube as you'd have to compensate for that by moving the saddle forward or aft to maintain the correct position over the BB.
Yes but the manufacturers ETT is based upon seat tube, not saddle position.
True enough - it depends on whether Raffles is concerned about geometry tables or actual fit! And of course it also means that the apparent close match between the Cannondale and Jamis might not be how it is. Without the angles, for all we know the Specialised and Cannondale could be the closest match.
Your choice of bar ie reach - would easily compenate for that and a 100 or 90mm stem on the same bike and you think one will be more twitchy that the other? what if their fork rakes/offsets were different then?
Test ride the bikes and see what you prefer? choice prob based on colour, grp set and price
May cost a little more than some on the web with discounts but well well worth it IME for the piece of mind and CS.
Specialized Roubaix SL3 Expert 2012, Cannondale CAAD5,
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Specialized Roubaix SL3 Expert 2012, Cannondale CAAD5,
Marin Mount Vision (1997), Edinburgh Country tourer, 3 cats!
Same here. No issues with the the length of the top tube on a 54 Roubaix at 5 foot 8 and a half. Recently had a bike fit on it which confirmed my reach was good, although they actually moved my saddle back a touch and put the stem down a spacer (obviously more flexible than I thought!). I'd recommend the Roubaix, a fast comfortable ride. Oh, I'm a 110mm stem also...