In a message dated 5/22/02 4:10:48 AM Pacific Daylight Time, rauler47@hotmail.com writes:
<< Now change the materials or wall thickness and you have changed the bikes absorption capabilities. >>
Albert Eisentraut was one of the first proponents (in the USA in the late 60s
to early 70s) of mixing tubing gauges within a frame, to match the frame to
the rider's strength, weight and pedaling style. For a large comfortable
frame, he would often use heavier tubes on the bottom, i.e., forks, down
tube, chainstays (and maybe the seat tube for a real animal) and lighter
tubes for the top tube and seat stays. I have built frames that were
otherwise identical to each other, but with one using this tubing lay out vs
the other one being all SP (heavy gauge) tubing and the difference is
significant. I've also found that deeply V'd aero rims transmit a lot more
road shock, (as do clinchers in general) when compared to a sew up rim of the
conventional pattern.
Stevan Thomas
Alameda, CA