What do people mean

[jowwy]

When they say that a bike has a

a) Relaxed

b) Aggresive

geometry - confused.com

 

[HLaB]

A bike with a relaxed geometry usually has a longer head tube and allows the rider to sit up more relaxed whereas an aggressive frame has tighter geometry allowing the rider to get into a more aggressive, aerodynamic position.

 

[Moodyman]

In lay man's terms...

Relaxed = more sit up = more comfortable = slower

Aggressive = more arse up = less comfortable = faster

 

[numbnuts]

In lay man's terms...

Relaxed = more sit up = more comfortable = slower

My touring bike is like that - relaxed - I just do the "slower" part

 

[the snail]

It's also about stability, a tourer will have longer wheelbase and slower steering, so it will be more stable and more comfortable over bumps, as opposed to a racebike where quick steering is more important.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I'm with the snail. Relaxed geometry means a stable, slower steering, aggresive means twitchy faster steering.

 

[aberal]

It relates to the frame geometry - typically a racing frame will have a shorter wheelbase and fork rake with traditionally a seat tube angle of 74 degrees. A tourer will have a longer wheelbase and fork rake and traditionally a seat tube angle of 73 degrees. Nowadays with compact frames with sloping top tubes these angles don't always apply, but the same principles remain. Steep seat tube angle = aggressive, shallow seat tube angle = relaxed.

 

[jowwy]

so would adding a stem riser help my bike become more relaxed????

 

[aberal]

No. It would help you become more upright on your bike.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

so would adding a stem riser help my bike become more relaxed????

Changing the stem length can make quite a difference to the steering, as does swapping the forks to ones with different crown to axle length.

(well it does on an mtb so no reason why it wouldn't apply to a road bike.)