[CR]Why are dropouts joined by tongue in groove, not lugged?

(Example: Framebuilders:Rene Herse)

Date: Sat, 6 May 2006 07:06:18 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Don Wilson" <dcwilson3@yahoo.com>
To: Classic Rendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: [CR]Why are dropouts joined by tongue in groove, not lugged?

I've always wondered why drop outs were attached tongue in groove rather than by a lug (i.e., a stay inserted into a cylindrical end on a dropout). A lug would seem a stronger joint and, could likely be engineered and machined to be quite light. Fabrication seems technologically feasible. Assembly seems no more difficult, perhaps even easier. A lugged bike might look more unified (and beautiful) in appearance with matching lugs at the frame ends and frame joints, rather than tongue in groove at the frame ends and lugs at the frame joints? Perhaps the KOF frame builders could weigh in here and explain why tongue in groove is preferred. I assume it must be superior for some reason, or it would not be done, but I'd like to understand why?

Don Wilson Los Olivos, CA

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