Reach is certainly a good measurement for how it will feel when standing up (descending). Same as ETT is good for how it will feel when seated (climbing). It's not everything, certainly front center also has a big impact on descending feel...
I thought the same that 490 is pretty long for that height range. Going from 405 to 425 to 455 over the past decade-ish, with stem length shortening by about half each time, don't see myself loving 490 since I'd only be able to bring the stem down by about 10mm, and that would have me pretty stretched out when standing. It does make the window of being centered a bit larger, but can also make it hard to weight the front when needed, which is nice when you're not on the steepest stuff.
Those reaches definitely fit their terrain goals, but also definitely might be a bit too much for many people not on the identical terrain.
Dec. 13, 2022, 5:18 p.m. - Justin White
Reach is certainly a good measurement for how it will feel when standing up (descending). Same as ETT is good for how it will feel when seated (climbing). It's not everything, certainly front center also has a big impact on descending feel... I thought the same that 490 is pretty long for that height range. Going from 405 to 425 to 455 over the past decade-ish, with stem length shortening by about half each time, don't see myself loving 490 since I'd only be able to bring the stem down by about 10mm, and that would have me pretty stretched out when standing. It does make the window of being centered a bit larger, but can also make it hard to weight the front when needed, which is nice when you're not on the steepest stuff. Those reaches definitely fit their terrain goals, but also definitely might be a bit too much for many people not on the identical terrain.