Re: [CR]Pencil Stays / Why?

(Example: Production Builders:LeJeune)

From: "Hugh Thornton" <hughwthornton@hotmail.com>
To: Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Cc: Philcycles@aol.com
Subject: Re: [CR]Pencil Stays / Why?
Date: Wed, 10 Jul 2002 14:34:30 -0400


Pencil stays will be more flexible in bending, but seat stays act mostly in compression, not bending, so there will not be any discernible difference in ride comfort (compare the amount a seat stay compresses relative to how much a tire compresses when you go over a bump).

Seat stays only significantly contribute to controlling frame flex by restraining the rear dropouts vertically for which again they only act in compression and tension.

So-called flex at the bottom bracket is more likely related to lack of lateral stiffness in the wheels than in the frame, which is far stiffer laterally than the wheels. This is very much the case when climbing out of the saddle.

Hugh Thornton in damp NW UK
>From: ยจ <Sterling@tns.net>
>To: <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
>CC: <Philcycles@aol.com>
>Subject: Re: [CR]Pencil Stays / Why?
>Date: Tue, 9 Jul 2002 12:56:14 -0700
>
>Phil , I would argue that the thinner stays are more flexable than the
>fatter stays and therefore the ride will be a little softer. Certainly if
>anything you may notice more flex at the Bottom Bracket.
> Sterling Peters
> 68 degrees ; marine layer
> Downtown San Diego
>----- Original Message -----
>From: <Philcycles@aol.com>
>To: <sgpnet@earthlink.net>; <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
>Sent: Tuesday, July 09, 2002 12:28 PM
>Subject: Re: [CR]Pencil Stays / Why?
>
>
> >
> > In a message dated 7/9/2 3:41:59 PM, sgpnet@earthlink.net writes:
> >
> > >Just took a ride on my 1950 Hetchins (non-curly) with 4 speed Sturmey
> > >
> > >and admired the long and lanky thin pencil stays.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >Since I know less than nothing about frame building, I'd like to know
> > >
> > >more about this kind of style stay..
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >why thin?
> > >
> > >purely aesthetics?
> > >
> > >ride quality difference?
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >anything else?
> > >
> > Nuymber 2. The seat stays are very lightly loaded.
> > Phil Brown
> > In sweltering NoHo, Ca