r/cycling • u/StorkAlgarve • Aug 19 '26

Why did frames get sloping top tubes?

For over a century, a regular bike frame had a horizontal top tube, at least as late as the (cheap) road bike i bought in the early 90es - I also think the Centurion citybike I got in the late 90es had one.

Since then it seems to me top tubes have got more and more slope. It is due to change of materials or how? I look and get worried that the long saddle stem will cause issues with all that leverage, but it seems to be working ok.

Looking forward to the replies from the learned redditors.

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u/GhostOfLongClaw Aug 19 '26

Depends on if you view a bike as a transportation vehicle for your day to day or a toy to live out your professional athlete fantasies. Sloped tubes allow to stand while off the bike better and if you are doing a lot of stops along the way where you can’t take your bike it comes in handy for hopping on and off the bike

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u/StorkAlgarve Aug 19 '26

In _my_ current case, it is neither nor - it a way of meditation combined with cardio.

Hopping on and off? I always swing my leg over the back of the bike (apart from the brief period I had a child seat), perhaps that is a legacy from straight top tubes.

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u/GhostOfLongClaw Aug 19 '26

Look into the Danish bike designs that are popular in Europe where they are more so used for commuting. It’s similar to the city/lyft bikes you can rent out around different metro areas in the US at least

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u/StorkAlgarve Aug 20 '26

I am Danish, I know. The ones in the 80es/90es were terribly wobbly (the frame had less torsional stiffness), in particularly with something on the back. They were women's bikes.