Catalog says...

CAK my catalog on the 2003 bikes says the Stiffee FR has the following

Head Angle: 70.0 deg
Seat Angle: 71.0 deg
TT length: 23.00"
ChainStay Length: 16.6"
HeadTube length 4.75"

I hope that helps. As for the other question you should be able to build it reasonably light, the frame is Easton RAD alloy, so it should be pretty light. Climbing on my Handjob is pretty easy, it has the same geo, and flying DH is even easier

 

CAK my catalog on the 2003 bikes says the Stiffee FR has the following

Head Angle: 70.0 deg
Seat Angle: 71.0 deg
TT length: 23.00"
ChainStay Length: 16.6"
HeadTube length 4.75"

I hope that helps. As for the other question you should be able to build it reasonably light, the frame is Easton RAD alloy, so it should be pretty light. Climbing on my Handjob is pretty easy, it has the same geo, and flying DH is even easier

Do you feel pretty stretched out on your Handjob? If I remember you said it was a 17.5. If it is a 17.5 how tall are you and what are your spec's as far as stem length etc. What effect will the the slack geometry have on the cockpit space.

Thanks

 

Stretched?

Not really stretched, I prefer more of an upright seating position, as I spend hours on my bike at a time (enduro race). I use an Easton EC70 post which has 1" of setback, and a 100mm stem, not really stretched... I'm 5' 10 and yes I'm on the 17.5".

5' 6", I'd probably go a straight seatpost as opposed to one with very lay back, my seat seams to hang in mid air over the rear wheel, because of the slack seat tube. 100mm stem would probably be ok for you, it wont efect the handling too much, but still make it easy to get weight over the front while climbing...

I hope this helps some, I'll try post a pic of my bike in an hour or so to give an exsample.

-Cul

 

I like the Handjob also...

Darn, so many choices. The handjob looks like a nice frame too, although I'm not to keen on steel, and no replaceable hanger. I wonder what the weight difference is between a 17.5 Handjob vs. a 17.5 Stiffee?

I don't mind being streched out, what I dont like about my C-dale is how twitchy it is, especially with the 41.1 inch wheelbase. I wish Cove would list some specs on their site. I'd like to know the wheelbase of the 17.5

JensonUSA list the Stiffee as having a 69 degree HT and a 70 degree ST. They have the Handjob as 70 and 71 respectivly.

I wonder if the Stiffee and Handjob actually share geometry, just the material and frame design are different.

 

This may help some more. The mesured wheel-base on my Handjob is 43.35" Axel to Axel; significantly longer than that of your Canondale. I cant find any weights on the Stiffee, exept for the 2002 model, which I believe was steel, it weighed in at 2177 for the 19". Not much use.

Here is a pic of my Handjob, it may/may not give an idea on size, plenty of standover hight and BB clearance... The photo is on a slight angle though, not directly at the side.

 

Sorry for the X-post but I dont think the Cove section gets to much traffic, so here is the question.

I'm thinking of replacing my Cannondale '03 CAAD4 frame with something a little more stable on the decents. The Cannondale is a size small, with a 71 degree head tube and a 73.5 degree seat tube, it is too small for me. I'm 5'6" with a 30.75 inseam and was looking at the 17.5 Cove. The Stiffee looks like it has pretty slack geometry which you would think give me more confidence on the dh's. How compact would the Stiffee be as compared to my C-dale. I'd like a longer wheelbase just not sure how the Cove geometry stacks up against my current bike. I feel like I'm riding over the front tire on my C-dale.

How would the Stiffee perform for rides that involve 12 mile climbs, then 12 miles of technical single track back down. I would set it up using the parts off my Cannondale in the picture below. Could it be built reasonably light, say 26lbs?

Thanks

I have a 17.5 stiffee and could not get the geometry from Cove, I got it from the Jenson web site. Mine has a 22.8 top tube not 23 which is probably better for your height. A straight post and 80-90mm stem sound about right for you, I'm 5'10" and use a 100mm stem. Fork choice is going to effect the angles. I was unable to find out what travel fork was used to get those numbers but I would suggest 4" for cross country and ideally a TALUS so you can dial down for those climbs and still get 5" for DH. As the name suggests the stiffee is plenty stiff. BTW, and I feel kind of cheesy doing this, but my frame is for sale. 17.5, black, Easton RAD tubes, Race Face HS. E mail me if interested.

 

Sorry for the X-post but I dont think the Cove section gets to much traffic, so here is the question.

I'm thinking of replacing my Cannondale '03 CAAD4 frame with something a little more stable on the decents. The Cannondale is a size small, with a 71 degree head tube and a 73.5 degree seat tube, it is too small for me. I'm 5'6" with a 30.75 inseam and was looking at the 17.5 Cove. The Stiffee looks like it has pretty slack geometry which you would think give me more confidence on the dh's. How compact would the Stiffee be as compared to my C-dale. I'd like a longer wheelbase just not sure how the Cove geometry stacks up against my current bike. I feel like I'm riding over the front tire on my C-dale.

How would the Stiffee perform for rides that involve 12 mile climbs, then 12 miles of technical single track back down. I would set it up using the parts off my Cannondale in the picture below. Could it be built reasonably light, say 26lbs?

Thanks

I have a 17.5 stiffee and could not get the geometry from Cove, I got it from the Jenson web site. Mine has a 22.8 top tube not 23 which is probably better for your height. A straight post and 80-90mm stem sound about right for you, I'm 5'10" and use a 100mm stem. Fork choice is going to effect the angles. I was unable to find out what travel fork was used to get those numbers but I would suggest 4" for cross country and ideally a TALUS so you can dial down for those climbs and still get 5" for DH. As the name suggests the stiffee is plenty stiff. BTW, and I feel kind of cheesy doing this, but my frame is for sale. 17.5, black, Easton RAD tubes, Race Face HS. E mail me if interested.

Is that TT 22.8 from center of headtube to center of seat tube or an effective TT measurement? How did you like the geometry?

Do you know what the wheelbase is on that thing measured from center of axle to center of axle?

Since this would be an aggressive XC bike without any hucks or serious free riding I would think my Fox 100 RLC would be sufficient.

I basically want a frame that will alow me to do some serious climbs yet be confident on rough technical downhills which involve baby heads, ruts and roots. The frame itself might be a little overbuilt for that kind of riding but I think the geometry is what I'm looking for. My C-dale frame is 3.5 lbs but I would easily sacrifice the extra pound for stability and confidence.

Why are you selling the Stiffee?

 

Is that TT 22.8 from center of headtube to center of seat tube or an effective TT measurement? How did you like the geometry?

It's effective TT. It is stable but handles well in the woods with a 100mm fork.

Do you know what the wheelbase is on that thing measured from center of axle to center of axle?

No, and I'm away from home until July so I'm unable to check.

Since this would be an aggressive XC bike without any hucks or serious free riding I would think my Fox 100 RLC would be sufficient.

That's what I used it for.

I basically want a frame that will alow me to do some serious climbs yet be confident on rough technical downhills which involve baby heads, ruts and roots. The frame itself might be a little overbuilt for that kind of riding but I think the geometry is what I'm looking for. My C-dale frame is 3.5 lbs but I would easily sacrifice the extra pound for stability and confidence.

I climbed at Killington with it and it was a good climber. I lived in Halifax NS for a year and it is all rocks and roots there. With big tires it was great for this type of terrain.

Why are you selling the Stiffee?

I bought it when I bent my Explosif and was unable to get it straightened out where I was living. I bought the stiffee as a replacement and usaully used a 100mm Marzocchi on it but tried a couple of 5" forks (TALUS, Psylo) which were great for going down but took away from climbing and maneuverability. In Halifax a shop was able to straighten the Explosif so the Stiffee has been sitting around for a year. I have too many frames and it is just gathering dust.

 

The Stiffee has always been aluminum, and I don't think the frames have changed all that much over the years. One change I know of was that the older frames used the old Hayes 22mm brake mount, the newer frames use International Standard.

 

The new Cove site isn't very good as it doesn't list things like the geometry of their frames like the old site did.

I have a 03 & 04 catalog at home, so can check and post tomorrow if you like.

There is a page on one of the UK dealer sites with info, but I'm not sure of the year, maybe 03?

 

Sorry for the X-post but I dont think the Cove section gets to much traffic, so here is the question.

I'm thinking of replacing my Cannondale '03 CAAD4 frame with something a little more stable on the decents. The Cannondale is a size small, with a 71 degree head tube and a 73.5 degree seat tube, it is too small for me. I'm 5'6" with a 30.75 inseam and was looking at the 17.5 Cove. The Stiffee looks like it has pretty slack geometry which you would think give me more confidence on the dh's. How compact would the Stiffee be as compared to my C-dale. I'd like a longer wheelbase just not sure how the Cove geometry stacks up against my current bike. I feel like I'm riding over the front tire on my C-dale.

at 5'6, a 17.5 is BIG for you. 15.5 is more likely your size. you could try a 120 stem in the cdale and check if it's still tight...
don't make the mistake of buying too big of a bike. you'll sell it soon.. my 00.2 c. call it BS if you want..

 

My C-Dale is a 16"

I feel way over the front of my Cannondale and in order to get proper knee over axle geometry I have to have the seat all the way back with a set back post. A 120mm stem makes it worse and anything shorter feels like the bars are at my waste.

I called Cove and they suggested the 17.5.

If you look here:
http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/03/geo-34.html

The TT dimensions on the small are actually pretty long, I think the 17.5 Cove with it's 23" TT will be just right.

I forgot to mention I have long legs (30.75 inseam) and long arms for my height.

-Chris

 

I have the 03 & 04 Cove catalogs here at work today, so can scan the geometry pages and post them if you want to see them.

Looking at them last night I noticed that the 03 & 04 frames are different in the HA & SA.

 

That would be great...

I wouldn't mind seeing the spec's if you have 'em.

Thanks

 

I wouldn't mind seeing the spec's if you have 'em.
Thanks

2004 Cove Geometry

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2003 Cove Geometry

 

Thanks

That'll work,

 

Paging CulBaire

If it's possible can you give me the standover heights of your Handjob measuring the top tube at the seat post, center of top tube and at the headtube. I'd also like to know the travel on your fork.

Thanks Alot!