Project Compact
Better bikes for smaller humans.
Smaller frame sizes have traditionally inherited many geometry quirks from their larger counterparts as a result of simple scaling down. For many shorter riders, this creates fit challenges they thought they had to live with. Thanks to our Project Compact, those days are no more.
We teamed up with bike fitter and physio MarksWalter and, together with input from a dream team of international test riders, found a suite of clever changes to solve these issues. The geometries we've created in Project Compact offer the best possible base to find your perfect position on the bike. Using steeper seat angles, taller headtubes and zero offset seat posts makes it possible for smaller riders to sit less stretched on the bike, all without over-shortening the reach or negatively influencing handling characteristics through using very short stems. What's more, this compact position is even better from an aerodynamic point of view.
Biomechanically, a more compact position on the bike enables the rider to rotate the pelvis upright, facilitating more efficient recruitment of the hips and leg muscles. Taller riders have enjoyed this naturally as their bikes are "proportionally" shorter and now riders of all sizes can benefit.
Not just a new geo, it's a way of life
Steeper seat angles make the rider sit further inside the reach, so more weight is on the front wheel and the center of gravity is shifted to the center of the bike. With this more relaxed posture it's easier to ride in the hoods and the drops.
Very short head tubes force a lot of riders to use spacers under their stems. Our longer head tubes don't. If there's a need to get lower in the front you can still pick a negative stem. The longer head tube also gives the bike a much more balanced look. Plus the steeper steering angle gives stability in corners and fast downhills.
A lower bottom bracket and shorter chainstays improve the handling and make the smaller bike even more agile. As smaller riders are recommended to ride shorter cranks anyway, the lower bottom bracket does not affect pedalling through corners.
Available right now across our entire range.