There can be little doubt that this frame is for a low-profile ( all things being relative) time-trial machine as it has the gear lever bosses mounted on top of the down tube and, presumably, internal cables. The tube itself may not be the most elegant tube in the box but it probably looks better than a long sloping one would have done...and it's far easier for the frame buolder to braze into place. Anyway the horizontal top-tube gives more room to accommodate and overweight time-trialler's sagging stomach. (Sorry...I'm thinking of some UK Sunday morning riders...).
However if you think that this frame's design is a trifle inelegant..just take a look at the HINAULT 753, that I have posted at:- http://www.flickr.com/
I reckon the builder was told to do his best with the selection of tubes lying around on the workshop bench...or to build a version of Moser's Hour Record-Breaking machine, without infringing design patents. I know the bike has a 26" front wheel, but that still is not a good enough excuse for butchering otherwise useful tubes..
Anybody out there care to have a go at bending those Reynolds 753 tubes into those curves !!
Norris Lockley..Settle Uk
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