Table of Contents
- 1 Why do bikes have sloping top tubes?
- 2 How does head tube angle affect handling?
- 3 How do you measure a bike sloping tube?
- 4 Why do female bikes have a slanted bar?
- 5 Can I put 150mm forks on a 120mm bike?
- 6 How do you measure the angle of a top tube?
- 7 What is the head tube angle of a mountain bike?
- 8 How do you measure the center of a bike tube?
Why do bikes have sloping top tubes?
The reason given by the manufacturers was that by sloping the top tube, and therefore taking standover clearance off the table as a fit element, it was now possible to fit more riders on fewer sized frames. (It did not go unnoticed by the skeptics that it also greatly reduces the inventory burden of the manufacturer.)
How does head tube angle affect handling?
In simple terms, head tube angle dictates how much effort is required to turn the front wheel. As head angle increases, the front wheel becomes easier to turn. While there is more to the steering of a bike than simply the head tube angle, in general terms, it sets the tone for the handling of the bike.
How does fork length affect head angle?
As the fork gets longer, it raises handlebars up and slackens the head tube angle. As a rough estimate, each 20mm of travel added will correlate to a one-degree difference in the head tube angle.
How much of a difference does head tube angle make?
In general the steeper the angle the more agile the steering. If you like steeper you might say “quicker, more response”, if you didn’t like steeper you might say “twitchier”. A 1/2 degree difference is probably not going to make that much difference by itself.
How do you measure a bike sloping tube?
Standover-height The distance between the ground and the top tube. If you have a sloping frame, measure at the middle of the top tube. Measure the stand-over height from the middle of the ‘sloping’ top tube.
Why do female bikes have a slanted bar?
Thus, bike makers began making bike models just for women that slanted the top crossbar down so that the women could mount and dismount the bikes without lifting their legs very high. This tradition has continued to this day, even though most women don’t go around riding bikes in dresses or skirts anymore.
Does head tube angle affect reach?
Definition: The horizontal distance from the bottom bracket to the centre of the top of the head tube. That’s because the head angle is not vertical – so, the longer the head tube, the further back the top of it becomes, and so the shorter the reach measurement.
Does 1 degree head angle make a difference?
The longer forks altered the head angle by just about 1 degree. Not sure that I noticed that much of a difference, but it now feels sort of half way between its original incarnation and my Patriot. So, general consensus is that yes, I will notice a difference in a 1 degree shift.
Can I put 150mm forks on a 120mm bike?
It is possible, nothing will prevent you from doing so. But as alluded to above by others, the character and handling of your bike will be dramatically affected.
How do you measure the angle of a top tube?
It’s an angle measured from horizontal to the line from the center of the bottom bracket up to the intersection of the actual seat tube angle and the top of the head tube.
How is top tube length measured?
Seat tube length is measured from either the centre of the bottom bracket to where the top tube and seat tube meet (Centre-Centre or C-C) or to the top of the seat tube (Centre-Top or C-T).
What determines the fit of a bike frame?
For the fit of a frame, it is the combination of the measures for the front half of the bike that dictate its fit. This includes the effective top tube length, the length of the head tube, the length of the seat tube, and the angle of the seat tube.
What is the head tube angle of a mountain bike?
Head tube angle – often shortened to ‘head angle’ – is measured from the horizontal to a line running down the centre of the fork steerer tube. Mountain bikes with front suspension usually have head tube angles in the 62-73° range while road bike head tube angles tend to be above 70°, commonly between 72° and 74°.
How do you measure the center of a bike tube?
Actual (Center-Center): Measured along the length of the top tube from the center of the seat tube to the center of the head tube. This method of measurement has fallen out of favor in recent years and has largely been replaced by the Effective top tube measurement.
What is the correct seat tube angle for an upright bike?
The more upright models (taller head tube) will offer a slacker seat tube angle to match your less rotated pelvis. CX 73 degrees. A very general bicycle fitting rule (to optimise pedalling efficiency) is to have your knee reach the pedal axle (see diagram).