Re: Calfee Compact Frame Options: Bikefanclub.com

A couple things:

bfd, you should note that Calfee does indeed offer 1 1/8 head tubes - it's noted on their web pages, and my new Calfee has 1 1/8. It may not be their standard choice but you can get it.

Calfee may not think 1 1/8 is necessary, engineering wise, and I'd agree (just like Marzocchi is saying no to 1.5 on the mtb and still producing some of the finest and strongest forks, etc.), BUT, they need to at minimum offer 1 1/8, and potentially consider standardizing on it going forward simply because it's where the industry has gone, and it will afford their riders more stem and fork options.

As for compact frames, I suspect there are multiple reasons/varying reasons among companies. I'd suspect Specialized is doing it simply because it's hot right now, and maybe they can do some cooler looking designs with it, etc. Giant might have done it for cost reasons, seems completely plausible, and it probably didn't hurt in the weight department, something they're excelling at these days (being lightweight that is).

I find it pretty hard to believe that Beloki's compact frame caused his crash. It looks more to me like a tire or equipment (other than frame, i.e. maybe brake pad + rim choice), but who knows, it's possible.

I'd be interested to know what the real reasons behind folks like De Rosa, and some others who are doing compact frames say. I've heard they're stiffer, but typically they do yield less sizes, and sometimes in larger sizes they simply don't make them (i.e. the largest compact De Rosa King isn't big enough for me).

And finally, while it is absolutely not the kind of sloping/compact frame you see on things like a Giant, at least some Calfees do have a sloping top tube (but again, you wouldn't even notice it if you didn't know or look pretty close. Look at the pictures on their web site. Obviously though these aren't "compact" frames. I don't know if Calfee lugs are limited though, because with custom geometry I don't see how you'd do that and use stock lugs in all cases. If you change say the head tube angle (as was done on mine), it will throw off the downtube, which would then throw off the BB height, and various other domino effects.

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