[CR]Soft frames and the difficulty of measuring the riding experience

(Example: Production Builders)

From: Tom Sanders <tsan7759142@comcast.net>
To: "Classicrendezvous@Bikelist.Org" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Date: Fri, 5 Aug 2005 12:26:48 -0400
Thread-Index: AcWZ2nowcLP++1L4TsOnydOwujB5bA==
Subject: [CR]Soft frames and the difficulty of measuring the riding experience

I've hesitated to jump in here, and been trying to gather my thoughts. I am absolutely sure Chuck was right about taking a frame and putting new bearings and proper adjustment, etc. into its set up and it feels like a new bike. Much like auto racers often refer to a "tired" engine. Just needs some refurbishment usually and some wisdom in correcting its problems. The discussion has woven in and out of the difficulties of scientific measurement at the tiniest levels that are likely to affect even similar models from individual frame to frame. Now come even more problems. Both bike raiders and audiophiles often swear by tiny aesthetic differences that probably do defy measurement...even if real. Some are real, some are the person kidding themselves, not foolishly, but I think more filtered through their expectations and wishful thinking. These are about as individual as the rider or listener and really defy measurement. Then there are further variables such as bearing adjustments, tires and tire pressure, the riding surface and winds and others that, though real, may be taken to be the result of the frame when really they may arise elsewhere. This would seem to be an attitude I am presenting that would negate much objective measurement by portraying it as futile, but not so. I think we measure the easy stuff and let it influence our buying decisions and riding satisfaction. However this only a small part of it all. In the end it all seems to come down to riding enough to know what you like...not too much else matters. Even this is complicated by the fact that the more you ride...perhaps the better or stronger rider you become... the more your tastes and appreciation may change. I have noticed that it is a very rare rider, no matter how experienced, who is not searching for some aspect of improved enjoyment in his cycling experience. I think the reason so few of us seem to ever arrive at just what we want is that it is a moving target and not at all static. I have probably failed to communicate my feelings here adequately and this was just why I hesitated to jump in. This is very difficult to get right in
words.
Tom Sanders
Lansing, Mi