In a message dated 5/31/02 7:31:02 AM Pacific Daylight Time, monkeylad@mac.com writes:
<< So far by reading the posts most of the people that actually build and work on bikes for a living seem to side with me to one degree or another. This bicycle is full of variables to a good ride and to single one out as the key to a good ride is falling for the hype of quality. I said it before I'll say it again, "The fenders on the bike will affect ride more than if this bike was built from 531." >>
I don't think there's a single hand builder out there who would choose HiTen
over any grade of better tubing. I personally would choose to not build a
frame if all I had available was HiTen. Materials matter, design matters,
joinery matters. About the only thing that doesn't matter is cosmetics (re
ride quality). I agree with your exception to the word "never". The fenders?
They'll add air resistance but ride quality? Given a choice, I'd take a 531
bike with fenders over a HiTen bike with fenders any day. The really big
question here is what constitutes acceptable ride quality? Some riders are
more discerning/demanding about what they want. Stronger/taller/heavier
riders generally need better/stonger frames.
Stevan Thomas
Alameda, CA