How seat tube angle determines bike character
This bike comparison shows how seat tube angle can influence your bike’s purpose in life.
Part of the continuing seat-tube-angle saga.
Hi Lee I write you from Spain (sorry my English).
Currently I have a Ventana el Terremoto, but I have thought about changing to a Morewood Mbuzi. The problem is that morewood is a very short weelbase do not know if I can damage a lot. I use that are maxiavalanches and enduro racing series here in Europe. You think change is good or it will be a frame very similar?
Thanks for everything.
Pau
Hey Pau,
Dude, your English is better than most Americans’. But let’s switch the word “damage” to “rip.”
OK,
In size medium, the Morewood’s wheelbase is 1.2 inches shorter than the Ventana’s.
Overall, these bike have very similar geometry. But they have very different seat tube angles.
The Ventana has a very XC-ish seat tube angle of 73 degrees. This steep angle is considered ideal for climbing.
The Morewood has a more DH-ish seat tube of 70 degrees. This slacker seat angle is considered better for descending. It:
– Moves the top tube back, which shortens the wheelbase. Longer wheelbases tend to be more stable; shorter ones tend to be more agile.
– Moves the saddle back, which feels great on those Super-D/Enduro downhill pedaling sections.
– Brings the handlebars closer to you when you’re in your attack position. This makes the bike feel more nimble in technical sections.
– Better centers your weight between your wheels when you’re in your attack position.
From where I’m sitting, these bikes seem to be designed with different intentions. The Ventana is a big XC bike that can be downhilled. The Morewood is a mini DH bike that can be pedalled.
Both bikes can be hammered uphill and ripped downhill. They serve different styles of riders.
Which style are you?
For reference: Ventana, Morewood
Also read:
How a slacker seat angle shortens your wheelbase
How seat angle affects handlebar location
Why is a slack seat angle so rippable?
Damage it up,
— Lee
Know more. Have more fun!
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Here we go again 😉
Lee, twins keeping you up at night? Looks to me like the Morewood wheelbase is actually 43.1″ (1094 mm), rather than 43.8″. But, the TTs are the same (23.0″ vs. 585 mm) — so the bars aren’t any closer despite the difference in seat angle. The ‘front center’ part of the wheelbase (Maverick’s term(?) for BB to front axle) is shorter by over an inch on the Morewood (27.3 vs 26.2) and that keeps the TT the same while the HA is about the same, but the SA is 3 deg slacker, again for the Morewood.
Actually, as the Morewood seat is raised above the head tube, it’s getting farther from the bars than the the Ventana due to the slacker ST.
>> Lee, twins keeping you up at night? Looks to me like the Morewood wheelbase is actually 43.1? (1094 mm), rather than 43.8?
Ha! Right you are!
I made the correction above.
Sleep … that would be good …
Sleep when you’re dead!
Lee, was checking in and was read this. Have you ever ridden a Cannondale Chase 1 DJ? Both small and med frames have a 77 degree seat tube angle and 69 degree head tube angle. What would be the purpose of such an extreme ST angle unless perhaps it does not matter if you don’t use the seat as a peddle platform. BTW love my Chase!!!
Enjoy those kids- they grow up too fast.
Mike
Good thing nerds are now cool:
https://www.leelikesbikes.com/seat-tube-angles-on-dj-bikes.html