Svmono hack. How to change font size in Springer Verlag Class?

Question

I am writing my Ph.D. thesis with svmono class of Springer-Verlag, but the default size is 10pt and seems to me too difficult to read. I would like to change to 11pt or 12pt. This two option are blocked, so for first i have commented the two line

%\DeclareOption{11pt}{\OptionNotUsed}

%\DeclareOption{12pt}{\OptionNotUsed}  

but seems that this is not sufficient. What i have to do? Here is the class definition

Answer 1

You can change the two line after the one you mentioned:

\def\@rticle@options{10pt,twoside}
% fleqn
\DeclareOption{fleqn}{\def\@rticle@options{10pt,twoside,fleqn}%

Replace the "10pt". But don't change the original class but save the file under a new name.

Edit: svmono not only loads article.cls but also change some font sizes later on. Search the line

% fonts, sizes, and the like

and correct the definitions which follows. You can use the values used in size12.clo as template/inspiration.

Btw: This is a very special class. Why are you using it instead of a class e.g. from the KOMA bundle or memoir?