Traditional designers used the so-called "parallel" geometries across the range of sizes. It just so happens that a parallel geometry works at some point in the size range - usually near the middle of the size range (for example, our 55cm 2200 geometry is a 74 degree parallel design). But as sizes move away from the middle, problems creep in - particularly for smaller riders.

On Waterford road racing frames, seat angles increase from 72.5° to as much as 76° on our smallest frame sizes. As body sizes shrink, so shrink thigh lengths. Making the seatmast steeper as sizes shrink means that small riders can maintain the same knee to pedal relationships as larger riders.

Also, by increasing the seat angle we reduce the possibility for toe-clip overlap in the smaller sizes. For certain riders toe-clip overlap can be a major annoyance.

Of course, our standard geometries apply to typical riders with typical body proportions. Riders with special needs can avail themselves of Waterford's custom geometry services.