Hard to say. Many variables. It's possible to adapt a wide range of frames to a particular riders taste and get good performance, but said rider will always have a favorite. Fore-aft weight distribution seems to be a key factor in both yours and Andrew's concerns. That can be tuned with alternate components but at some point, the adaption creates new problems like excessive toe overlap or being too far behind the bb.

 

Thanks. I promise, the last question, should I avoid toe-overlap at all costs on a CX bike, or learn to ride around it?

 

I am going to buy two bathroom scales and scale myself on the Stigmata and S3.

e: Forgot I've already spent $1000 on scales to do this to my race cars, so I'll use those.

 

Being tall, it's never an issue on my bikes so I'll defer to the experience of more normal sized riders.

 

toe overlap is so stupid.

edit- you should all buy this cross bike because Adam Craig says so:

 

Huge LBS says they exchange ~50% of the Al Giant TCX frames because they are not straight, big time.

 

adam craig doesn't seem to mind

 

A couple of random sights I saw in NYC this morning.






Took my own advice, and used today to do some cleaning & lubrication. Just set it back outside:

 

sounds like your sitting way forward on the bike. weight distribution is likely off. 0 offset post, jammed forward on a 73 degree seat tube? sounds fishy to me.


Marketing. short wheelbase is good for quick maneuverability at the cost of stability. also look at how the rear center of these amazebikes are all the same, for all of the sizes and not scaled up for the guys riding the large bikes. making the same rear center for all sizes in composites is about profitability as a company and not for making the best bike for someone of each size, a compromise.

if you took the same front triangle with a 400mm rear center and a 430mm rear center it becomes more of a "touring geometry" want to know why that is? comfy and tracks better. with composites you can make a 430mm rear end the same stiffness as a 400mm rear end, so that point isn't valid these days.

 

My natural position on the SMP Composit was sitting fairly far back on the saddle. The Forma that replaced it is in a more "normal" position. Pre-fit, I was 20mm behind KOPS, post-fit with the new seat I'm ~5mm behind KOPS. Not forward on the bike at all, just a combination of my femur length and the bike's geometry (slack seat tube). In any case, it has nothing to do with my stability issues, since the bike only feels twitchy when I am sprinting in the drops, butt off the seat.

 

sorry I missed the sprinting in the drops reference today.

when your doing this movement, would you say your shoulders are well past the centerline of the front axle? I would wager that its still a weight control issue.

 

You should absolutely not fudge up otherwise proper geometry to avoid toe overlap. I have some overlap on all my bikes. It is only an issue when I'm trackstanding, which I don't do very often during cyclocross races.

 

How do people with toe-overlap make it through uphill switchbacks?

 

Wheelie through corner

I never experience it being the size I am, but test riding small bikes at my shop always does nake me wonder how they deal with such overlap.

 

Agree. I don't get CX bikes fit and toe overlap. Seems ridiculous.

I'm all for longer frame with a shorter stem. MTB's have been headed this direction for years and they can still turn around switchbacks.

 

650c front wheel? It'll match your legs.

 

Maybe I end-up riding a 51-52 with 170mm cranks, 140mm stem. I'm 5'10.5, btw, lol.

 

Easy way to deal with overlap, go faster.

 

Anyone need 44cm bars, 110 or 100mm stem? I am getting rid of this ****, potentially giving to a charity bike thing for a private school.

 

Damn, I just ordered cannondale bars off ebay.