Your first point would make more sense if the seat tube length was smaller between sizes. You can't simply "choose your reach" if the seat tube length is going to be too long for you.
And sure, the numbers don't need to line up perfectly. My second point is that their numbering system SHOULD stay the same between their lineup though. If you enjoy your medium optic, you'll probably be happy on a medium Sight. Are those bikes identical number wise? No. But being an S5 in one bike and an S2 in another creates needless confusion among the same lineup. To say a "large" usually has nothing to do with another "large" within the same brands lineup is moronic: they're both larges designed by the same company. Sure, you'll have variance from intent, YOY differences when one model is older than another, but it's still a general guide to who this bike is intended for.
If you could truly just pick your desired geometry, we'd see a lot less variance in seat tube length and stand over heights. It's not bad, they've done a good job keeping it in relative check, but it's not perfect either.
And sure, it's great for an enthusiast like yourself, but its going to be a mild pain for people selling these. Asking the average Specialized customer (even those who ride a lot, are pretty good riders, and are willing to drop some serious coin on carbon Stumpjumper) to pick their preferred reach isn't going to go well. They aren't going to put the work in. They'll grab the two sizes that the sales person hands to them and pick which feels better. They'll never know the reach number. Telling them they're riding an S3 and an S4 just makes their life a tiny bit harder then having them try an M and an M/L.
Oct. 7, 2020, 11:17 a.m. - Lu Kz
Your first point would make more sense if the seat tube length was smaller between sizes. You can't simply "choose your reach" if the seat tube length is going to be too long for you. And sure, the numbers don't need to line up perfectly. My second point is that their numbering system SHOULD stay the same between their lineup though. If you enjoy your medium optic, you'll probably be happy on a medium Sight. Are those bikes identical number wise? No. But being an S5 in one bike and an S2 in another creates needless confusion among the same lineup. To say a "large" usually has nothing to do with another "large" within the same brands lineup is moronic: they're both larges designed by the same company. Sure, you'll have variance from intent, YOY differences when one model is older than another, but it's still a general guide to who this bike is intended for. If you could truly just pick your desired geometry, we'd see a lot less variance in seat tube length and stand over heights. It's not bad, they've done a good job keeping it in relative check, but it's not perfect either. And sure, it's great for an enthusiast like yourself, but its going to be a mild pain for people selling these. Asking the average Specialized customer (even those who ride a lot, are pretty good riders, and are willing to drop some serious coin on carbon Stumpjumper) to pick their preferred reach isn't going to go well. They aren't going to put the work in. They'll grab the two sizes that the sales person hands to them and pick which feels better. They'll never know the reach number. Telling them they're riding an S3 and an S4 just makes their life a tiny bit harder then having them try an M and an M/L.