----- Original Message ----- From: "Michael Kone" <bikevint@tiac.net> To: <GandJFahey@aol.com> Cc: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> Sent: Saturday, June 01, 2002 9:07 AM Subject: Re: Debunking time again (Re: [CR]1962 Raleigh Gran Sport)
> Actually exactly the same energy is returned as is put into the spring -
if
> the spring is made of steel, aluminum, or titanium. Carbon fibre has the
> distinction as being the one material that can supposedly actually absorb
> energy from what I understand.
>
Not if I remember my engineering dynamics and materials courses correctly.
Flexing a steel (or aluminum) structure will dissipate some of the applied
enery in the form of heat. Ever break a thin piece of steel in two by
repeatedly bending it? You'll notice it gets noticeably warm near the break
line. The same thing happens to a bike frame, but to a much lesser extent,
so you won't notice the frame has warmed after a ride - also there is much
more time and surface area to dissipate the heat released.
Regards,
Jerry Moos
Houston, TX