Bicycle top tube length The latter is calculated as the sum of the reach and a shorter distance, contingent on the seat angle. This is a less useful measurement than other seat tube measurements Center-TT Top or Center-Center because it does not precisely indicate the point where the top tube intersects the seat tube. According to his TT, I’d need a 21. If the effective top tube is extremely short or long for your needs, it’s better to get a new frame/bike. 5 seat tube angle. That’s it. A bike’s top tube length is the horizontal distance between the head tube (where the handle bar strut sits) and the seat tube. It's measured 'effectively' horizontally from head tube axis to seat tube axis. Manufacturers focus on compact frames with shorter top tubes. Head tube length is measured from the bottom of the head tube to the top. Aug 30, 2024 · Top Tube. What Size BMX Frame Do Pros Ride? Garrett Reynolds is 5’7″ and rides a 20. Older bikes frequently had horizontal top tubes, but now sloping tubes are much more common. This measurement has become significant as more and more bikes are designed with sloping top tubes. Dec 8, 2023 · 1. The length of a bike is determined by its “top tube length”. Consequently, the effective top tube offers more useful data when analyzing a bike fit. This measurement is referred to as the effective top tube length and allows a consistent measurement, even when a bike has a sloping top tube. Top tube was horizontal, going from almost the top of the seat tube, to the top of the head tube. . Top Tube Length. This is the length from the head tube to the 2 days ago · Bike Size Considerations #1. May 2, 2021 · Top Tube Length: TTL. The value of the effective top tube matters the most when we analyze how the bike will feel when the rider is pedaling in a seated position. Use the table below to determine what size BMX bike or top-tube length fits you best. That’s why instead of telling you the predefined size (S, M, L, 52, 54, 56, etc. I've got an Merckx and De Bernardi road bikes, both size 57 center-center seat tubes. Measured from the bottom bracket to the top of the seat tube. A longer head tube offers a more upright riding position while a shorter one offers more tucked position. Typically, manufacturers offer two distinct lengths for the top tube: the absolute length and the effective length. The Merckx has a 57 top tube with 72. Though traditionally the actual length of the top tube of the frame was measured, ETT is a more The effective top tube length is the horizontal distance from the top tube/head tube junction to the seat tube. It measures a horizontal line, parallel to the ground, from the center of the head tube to the intersection with the seat tube or seat post. ) we’ll use the three bike measurements that matter the most when choosing a bike size: Effective top tube length: The horizontal distance from the head tube to the seat tube. The effective top tube (ETT) length is the simplest way to determine a bike’s size. Effective Toptube Length Horizontal top tube frame (some road bikes): Measure from the center of the head tube at the head tube / top tube junction to the center of the seat tube at the seat tube / top tube junction. 75″ top tube frame. 9″! The length of the seat tube from the center of the bottom bracket to the top of the seat tube. The top tube length is the distance between the seat tube and the head tube of the bike. The De Bernardi has a 56 top tube with 74 STA. Feb 11, 2022 · When we request bikes in for review, the first figure we look at is the top tube length or, more often, the effective top tube length. A shorter stem will decrease the top tube length, bringing the handlebars closer to the rider, while a longer stem will increase the top tube length, providing a more stretched-out position. Effective Top Tube (ETT) is a traditional way to measure a bike's length. #2. A longer top tube will result in a longer reach and a higher standover height, while a shorter top tube will result in a shorter reach and a lower standover height. Here's a real life example. Seat tube length isn’t too important for most people with the exception of those who need additional standover Top Tube. For a variation on this measurement, see the Taiwanese version. A longer head tube on a bicycle with a traditional top tube results in a longer seat tube too because the top tube is horizontal has to attach higher on the seat tube. Sometimes called: Effective Top Tube Length. The top tube is commonly measured horizontally from the top tube/head tube junction to the seat tube. A size medium aero road bike may have a head tube length of about 145mm. This measurement determines the bike’s frame size and how low the saddle can be adjusted. In a given model, the height of the top tube would vary, but the length of the top tube and every other part of the frame would be same, whether the bike was a 19" or a 25". As someone who just went through the brain drain to replace a worn out 2012 XC race mountain bike with a new XC mountain bike, let me tell you. Aug 19, 2015 · Up to ’80s of the twentieth century, bike frame producers made quite similar geometry frames. Today’s racers prefer bikes that are both lightweight and strong. Stack and Reach are more reliable measures for determining frame geometry fit. Similar to reach, the top tube length can assist you in gauging the overall length of a bike. If you spend a lot of time pedaling in the saddle, it’s important that your top tube is appropriate for your torso and arm length. Apr 14, 2024 · Discover the crucial steps and considerations for accurately measuring your bicycle's top tube length, enhancing your riding comfort and performance. Seat Tube Length. Conversely, a sloping top tube allows designers to preserve the length of the top tube without increasing the seat tube, or at least not substantially because the top tube A. For more on this, see here. Top tube length measures an imaginary line from the center point of the top/head tube junction to the center of the intersection with the seat tube. That said, just because the ETT is the same between the two bikes, it doesn’t mean the bikes will have the same reach. A longer top tube means you’ll be more stretched out. Here is where most of the conventional wisdom and measurements in selecting a correct frame size for a cyclist come from. Which size is right for you? Discover full measurements and specs for our bike fleet here. Top Tube Length Find the perfect bike for your adventure. As a rule of thumb you can find the correct top tube length for a road bike by adding your torso and arm measurements together, dividing the result by 2 Aug 27, 2024 · How To Measure BMX Top Tube Length. Some bikes use this measurement as their size in centimeters. Jan 15, 2015 · Effective Top Tube Versus Reach. this gets even more complicated and difficult to comprehend when you add suspension (with sag), and different wheel/tire sizes to the mix, and in the MTB world, geometries change drastically year to year and bike to bike. Stem Length: Changing the length of the stem can have a significant impact on the overall reach and comfort of a bike. Top tube is a good indicator of overall size of the bike. The Latest Trends In Road Bike Sizing For Racing. A longer top tube length can provide a more stretched-out riding position, while a shorter top tube length can provide a more upright riding position. This includes the frame size (seat tube length) and wheel diameter, ensuring proper reach, leg extension, and overall handling characteristics. of at least 1” to 2” between the riders crotch and the top-tube of the bike. This encourages a more aerodynamic riding position. This number is useful for identifying how long a bike will feel while in a seated position. Jan 29, 2025 · Bike size is a combination of measurements that determine the fit and suitability of a bicycle for a rider. Feb 2, 2008 · Good points about the relationship between effective top tube length and seat tube angle. An equivalent road race bike will be 2mm-5mm longer while a sportive bike will be between Jan 22, 2025 · Top Tube Length: Adjusted for comfort and power on long rides. A person who buys a 25" bike is likely to have a longer upper body than someone who buys a 19", so the larger rider will likely feel cramped by having the same length top The effective top tube is independent of the top tube’s shape and can be affected by the position of the saddle. Sloping top tube frame (compact road bikes and mountain bikes): Measure from the […] Jan 28, 2020 · As we’ve covered, top tube length is relevant for road, gravel, or cyclocross bikes, but it isn’t as crucial when looking at mountain bike geometry. What is Top Tube Length? The length of the top tube is commonly measured three ways: 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. Aug 11, 2022 · Effective (ETT) or Virtual Top Tube length (VTT), sometimes referred to simply as Top Tube length, is the horizontal distance between the centre of the top of the head tube and the intersecting point along a projection of the seat tube (or seatpost). Effective top tube length is one of three options for defining the length of the front triangle. If the discrepancy is small in either direction, a different stem and saddle position will help to a certain extent. If you have a bike you’re unsure what top tube length it has, measure it from the center of the head tube to the center of the seat tube. A guide to finding the right road bike size for your needs. Top tube length: The top tube length, or the distance between the head tube and the seat tube, affects the reach and the standover height of a bike. Sizing trends also indicate a shift towards The top tube length, seat tube length, and standover height are some of the key dimensions to consider. A longer seat tube raises the saddle height, while a shorter seat tube allows for a lower saddle position. Top Tube Length aka: Effective Top Tube, Horizontal Top Tube, Virtual Top Tube. qjbyvyxyfvdviqekulcrivahmapwvdhdzcfawyeouudxuoaxdhupravqqrvpizeiyirlde