If my memory serves me correct, and sometime it doesnt, I read somewhere where the curvy stays were a way of identifying a Hetchins during the 6-day period when the manufacturers name wasnt allowed on the bike. In the early sixties when I first saw one of these Hetchins and asked about the stays the owner said it softened the ride. Last year I saw a Litespeed with curvy stays, not near as radical as a Hetchins, and the owner of that bike said the same thing about softening the ride. Who to believe? Personally, I think they look pretty cool!