Cycling magazine reviews loads of bikes and gives details of the geometry.
Why though don't they include Stack and Reach?
I find that most useful when assessing a frames geometry.
Stack and Reach
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Re: Stack and Reach
It would be good to know the maximum stem height available from the factory.
I think some retail suppliers cut the stem down.
Full marks to Spa for offering a full height stem!
I think some retail suppliers cut the stem down.
Full marks to Spa for offering a full height stem!
Re: Stack and Reach
LittleGreyCat means the steerer tube.
The stem is the bit that clamps to the handlebar.
The stem is the bit that clamps to the handlebar.
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Re: Stack and Reach
I'd hazard a guess that many people buying entry-level bikes have no idea about any of that and are simply after inseam and therefore frame size.
It's only once you get up to really quite a knowledgeable/enthusiast position where people have even the slightest clue about it as well as the experience to know that they need/want a higher stack or a longer reach.
It's certainly possible to provide too much info in a review - and if you're reviewing a £500 hybrid, the intended buyer is likely to have near zero knowledge of, or interest in, bike geometry, they just want a review that says "this is a nice comfy bike with a good upright position".
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Re: Stack and Reach
Stack and Reach is especially valid comparing the bike fit on drop bar bikes, yet it's often overlooked.
Many will refer to the manufactures size recommendation (normally referencing rider height and inseam) and not take into consideration that the actual size can differ between models even though they may be both listed at a glance the same. The below example both being listed as 'Large', yet as you can see the Van Nicholas Zephyr. has a shorter reach and higher bar height compared to the Van Nicholas Astraeus
Van Nicholas Astraeus in Large, Stack 555, reach 393 (click to make bigger)
Van Nicholas Zephyr in Large, Stack 598, reach 370 (click to make bigger)
Click on the 'GIF' image below and you can visually see it morph from on to the other
(click to make bigger and show one morph to the other)
Many will refer to the manufactures size recommendation (normally referencing rider height and inseam) and not take into consideration that the actual size can differ between models even though they may be both listed at a glance the same. The below example both being listed as 'Large', yet as you can see the Van Nicholas Zephyr. has a shorter reach and higher bar height compared to the Van Nicholas Astraeus
Van Nicholas Astraeus in Large, Stack 555, reach 393 (click to make bigger)
Van Nicholas Zephyr in Large, Stack 598, reach 370 (click to make bigger)
Click on the 'GIF' image below and you can visually see it morph from on to the other
(click to make bigger and show one morph to the other)
Last edited by Paul Smith SRCC on 10 Oct 2024, 3:43pm, edited 22 times in total.
Paul Smith. 38 Years in the Cycle Trade, I managed the CTC Shop from 2001-4. My personal cycling blog, Bike Fitter at C & N Cycles
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Re: Stack and Reach
100%Paul Smith SRCC wrote: ↑10 Oct 2024, 2:43pm Stack and Reach is especially a valid comparison in drop bar bikes yet it's often overlooked
Paul_Morph_BikeCad_Test.gif
Highly useful in MTB as well where the geometry can vary hugely between a bike geared towards DH and a bike aimed more at "all day trail" use.
I did like your little GIF you posted the other day Paul showing the difference - one bike merging/changing into another - I think you'd generated it on the Pro version of your bike fit software.
Re: Stack and Reach
My pet peeve at the moment .......
They quote a "seat tube angle" ....but it turns out its the angle of the seat tube above the fashionable bend towards the bottom of the tube....So you buy a bike with a stated 73 degree seat tube angle, but a straight line down the centre of the seat tube passes 10mm in front of the BB axle; so the saddle is 10mm in front of where I expected it to be......equivalent to a 74 degree seat tube angle , for somebody my height.
Bike fitting D.I.Y. .....http://wheel-easy.org.uk/wp-content/upl ... -2017a.pdf
Tracks in the Dales etc...http://www.flickr.com/photos/52358536@N06/collections/
Remember, anything you do (or don't do) to your bike can have safety implications
Tracks in the Dales etc...http://www.flickr.com/photos/52358536@N06/collections/
Remember, anything you do (or don't do) to your bike can have safety implications
- Paul Smith SRCC
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Re: Stack and Reach
I was editing my post above to try and do the same here rareposter. The morph gif was made comparing two BikeCAD drawings, yes mine was made with the Pro Version but you can make it with their free standalone free version as well, the latter understandably has less data available but the visual would be the same. The GIF I showed on the forum was published and shared here via 'Flickr'rareposter wrote: ↑10 Oct 2024, 2:47pm I did like your little GIF you posted the other day Paul showing the difference - one bike merging/changing into another - I think you'd generated it on the Pro version of your bike fit software.
I can't access Flickr the moment as I have signed in on another pc and it's making me wait an hour! The two pictures and GIF I used on my thread above was shared via Google photos, so you have to click on the GIF to see the morphing visual, I dare say there is a way of showing it like that 'Flickr gif' on this post but not sure how....
Paul Smith. 38 Years in the Cycle Trade, I managed the CTC Shop from 2001-4. My personal cycling blog, Bike Fitter at C & N Cycles
Member of the Pedal Club
Member of the Pedal Club