Raven Reach

[J97]

Hi everyone.

Got a used Raven 530S recently from SJS. Lovely bike in all respects. Only slight imperfection is reach. My hands are shorter than average. I notice that SJS are still selling the 500S frame. However the virtual top tube length is only 1CM shorter. That said the frame is recommended for those who are shorter. I’m probably around 160 cm. I’m wondering if those who are knowledgeable about such things can tell me whether a 500S frame would make any meaningful difference to the reach or whether the virtual top tube number tell is like it is i.e. negligible. It is a pretty relaxed posture. Thanks.

[mickeg]

I can't answer your question, but reach issues can often be solved with a different stem.  Handlebars also have varying reach.

I no longer try to judge bike size based on seat tube length (or effective seat tube length) alone.  I mostly focus on reach, and a secondary issue is making sure I have adequate stand over height.  That said, now in the era of sloping top tubes, stand over height is rarely an issue any more.

Starting a bit over a decade ago when I ordered my Nomad Mk II frame and fork, I based that almost exclusively on effective top tube length and stem length when I was assessing which frame to buy, I already had a couple bikes that fit me well so I could take measurements off of those to compare to what I wanted to buy.

And after I buy or build up a bike, I often do some fine tuning with different stems.

[PH]

Congrats on the new bike. It might be worth phoning and asking the masters.
I don't know the answer, but if you have all the geometry you could upload it into a CAD program to draw one size on top of the other, I've used this one:
https://www.bikecad.ca/

TT length has to be considered alongside seat tube angle, if a steeper seat tube requires the saddle to be further back it effectively lengthens the virtual top tube. Head and seat tube angles also need to be considered, if not parallel. it can be a bit of a minefield!

Is the added reach too much to adjust with a different stem?  Or handlebar sweep? I might have just been lucky, but I've been able to find comfort on a range of sizes, as long as I can get the saddle in closely the same  position over the BB, I'm quite tolerant of bar position.