Two bikes. One drawing. Every millimetre of difference.

03 Glossary

The key measures – briefly explained

Stack

Vertical distance from the bottom bracket to the top of the head tube. More stack = more upright position.

Ride feel: More stack: higher, more relaxed handlebar position (endurance, gravel). Less stack: lower, sportier position.

Reach

Horizontal distance from the bottom bracket to the top of the head tube. More reach = more stretched-out position.

Ride feel: More reach: more stretched and sporty, more room when standing. Less reach: more compact and relaxed. Reach is the best single number for fit.

Head angle

Angle of the steering axis to the ground. Slacker = calmer steering, steeper = more direct steering.

Ride feel: Slacker: calmer, more stable steering at speed and on gravel. Steeper: more direct and quicker, but twitchier steering.

Seat angle

Effective angle of the seat axis. Steeper = saddle further forward over the bottom bracket.

Ride feel: Steeper: sitting further over the pedals, efficient and sporty, good for climbing. Slacker: a little more comfortable. The effective angle is what matters most.

Chainstay

Direct distance from bottom bracket centre to rear axle centre (not horizontal). Shorter = more playful, longer = more stability and climbing ability.

Ride feel: Shorter: more agile and lively. Longer: calmer, more tyre clearance and an easier balanced weight distribution.

Wheelbase

Horizontal distance between rear and front axle.

Ride feel: Longer: calmer, less affected by braking and bumps, but less nimble. Shorter: more agile and direct in tight corners.

BB drop

How far the bottom bracket sits below the line between the wheel axles.

Ride feel: Lower bottom bracket (more drop): lower centre of gravity, more stable and easier to lean into corners. Higher bottom bracket: more ground clearance, but less stable.

Trail

Distance between the point where the steering axis meets the ground and the front tyre's contact point. More trail = more stable.

Ride feel: More trail: the bike tracks straight, even hands-free, and steers more slowly. Less trail: more manoeuvrable but less straight-line stability.

We measure the chainstay directly from bottom bracket to rear axle centre; the horizontal length is shown separately as rear centre. All values in millimetres and degrees. The ride-feel notes are rules of thumb after BikeRadar, Canyon, Cycling Weekly, Sheldon Brown; the actual ride feel depends on how all measures work together.