For many it’s a problem they thought they had to live with. Finding the right position on the bike as a shorter person can be a real challenge with success being uncertain.
We teamed up with MarksWalter and set sail to find the solution to this problem. And we found it. Project Compact geometries offer the best base to find your perfect position on the bike.
Using steeper seat angles and zero offset seat post makes it possible for smaller riders to sit less stretched on the bike without shortening the reach or the need to ride a very short stem as this negatively affects the handling characteristics.
This position is also better from an aerodynamic point of view.
Biomechanically a more compact position on the bike enables the rider to upright the pelvis and use their hips and leg muscles more efficient. A problem taller riders don’t have as bikes are proportionally shorter for them anyway.
Starting a project like this you need a good team of experienced riders who you can rely on and who can give detailed feedback on what a bike feels like. Being well connected MarksWalter brought in a Dream Team of international riders who rode and raced the Project Compact prototypes for thousands of kilometers in all kinds of conditions and terrains. Here are four of them.
“Finally a stock geometry I can get down with! No more fantasizing about how I wish I could combine the stock geometry of most brands XS and S frames. I always wanted the top tube length of XS frames but the head tubes of the S frames. The Project Compact from Bastian Marks & Standert really does meet those needs without having to go custom."
Adam Masters, USA
Photo by Benedict Campbell
"Watching the progress from the initial idea, to riding this bike has completely changed my view on bike geometry. When you ride the bike you just simply know and feel the difference. For me what’s been the best change is that I find myself being on top of my bottom bracket to produce power instead of floating somewhere behind and the shorter top tube gives me greater steering capabilities.”
Ayse van Laethem, Belgium
Photo by Lukas von Monkiewitsch
"Sitting more in front of your bike allows you to use the bigger musclegroups in the backside of your legs and the back - and it makes you more aerodynamic. So why not ride a Project Compact geometry with 1,78m body height?
When I heard about the idea I knew that I needed to ride one of these bikes. The theoretical knowledge about the position was confirmed in the first moment."
Pete Rumpf, Germany
Photo by Lukas von Monkiewitsch
"I've been riding a more forward position fit on the bike for the past 2 years, but to have a frame geometry designed specifically around that positioning has changed my perspective on road bike design forever. Every time I jump on the Kreissäge it brings a smile to my face, the bike is beautifully balanced with unparalleled stability and lightning fast handling that inspires confidence on high speed descents."
Mason Hender, Australia
Photo by Ben Lehner
Photo by Mason Hender
Photo by Pascal Emmler
Photo by Ben Lehner
Photo by Pascal Emmler
Photo by Ben Lehner
Photo by Benedict Campbell for Rouleur Desire
Project Compact is not a new model. Project Compact are the optimized three smallest sizes of our bikes. Available as Triebwerk, Kreissäge and Pfadfinder for now. Erdgeschoss and Umlaufbahn coming soon.
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.
Check out our geometries and all other details of Project Compact sizes:
Project Compact sizes left to right: 48, 50, 52
Our first model with Project Compact geometries was the Kreissäge - for several reasons but mostly for it’s race purpose and therefore the essential need for optimized performance. After the success of the model, and the proof of concept not only in our tests but also in the real world, we rolled this geometry across some of our other models.
Now Project Compact is available for the Kreissäge, Triebwerk and Pfadfinder. We complete our range with adding Project Compact geometries to the Erdgeschoss and Umlaufbahn soon.
Photo by Benedict Campbell for Rouleur Desire
"Replaced a mid-range big brand carbon frame with a Kreissäge and find it hard to explain what a huge difference there is.
For a start it’s significantly lighter. I have a 52 project compact and the geometry is perfect, I haven’t had a bike that is so confidence inspiring in turns. And what an excellent paint job, it really turns heads. Had great help from Maxe with all my questions and couldn’t be more satisfied."
Size 52PC
"First of all: I am 170 cm tall and size 50PC fits perfectly. I have never felt so comfortable on a bike before. It is agile, but still keeps its track and, probably also thanks to the tires, it bounces well over bad road surfaces. During the ride, I was beaming with joy with the sun and smashing "Oh happy day" into the Franconian vineyards. Never again will I give you away! Last but not least I would like to mention the service with Maxe and Tom, who helped me to upgrade to the XR rotors. Always friendly and accommodating. Aye, thanks Standert, actually I've found my dream bike, but who knows...in any case you are highly recommended and I'll be back!"
Size 50PC
"This is a very affordable crit racing machine that works just as well or if not better than a lot of carbon bikes. My previous bike was a focus izalco max 2016 that was one of my best bikes that i've raced on and this is even better. My requirements for a new bike was that it needed to be cheap, stiff, have race geometry and have thru axle disc brakes and the Kreissäge has blown away all those requirements. I live in a very hilly area and i'm surprised as how this bike when i push on the pedals it just goes and just wants to get up those climbs as quick as possible. When i go to sprint out of the saddle it's quick and responsive and with it's tight geometry and thru axle wheels i feel very comfortable at speed laying it down in the corners and turns. Mainly that stiffness, coupled with the thru axle disc wheels. I feel very much in control and this is just an amazing race machine."
Size 48PC
Photo by Ben Lehner