Ann Phillips wrote:
I think I may be at fault for Doug Van Cleve's Vitus, since that I'm pretty sure that was the Campagnolo Donor Bicycle that I eventually parted out.
Before I took the bike apart I rode it some and it felt ok, but slightly "noodly" out of the saddle, up a hill, much different than my experience with modern tigged aluminum and oversize tubing. I'm no lightweight and I was in the big ring so I was kinda pushing the bike. Interestingly enough I found the ride much more forgiving than a modern aluminum bike. I'm not sure if that is due to the smaller tubing or the bonded construction, but I suspect this is why people really like 'em.
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Ann & others - I have not actually done the experiment in a jig, but a mental experiment on the question is easy. Remember that the Vitus is lugged. Now, take (hypothetical) hacksaw to the frame, so you get out one lug and one long tube. Attach the lug securely to the world's largest vise, so it doesn't move. Now, put "tell-tale" marks (little score or ink marks) at the transition between the lug and tube, and on the far end of the tube. Put some twist (torsion) or bending force on the tube. I'd respectfully predict that there is a lot more twist or bend of the tube than the lug-tube joint. To me, that is the problem with these frames: they don't respect their materials. Aluminum is much lighter than steel, but somewhat weaker. The way to get the frames to "feel" similar is to use much larger diameter aluminum tubes than the steel ones. Unless you like your noodles cooked beyond al dente.
harvey sachs
mcLean va