I think the intent with the design is to get you closer to your partner in a team pursuit and reduce your frontal area.
Marc St. Martin Livermore, California USA (Temporarily in Washington, D.C.)
-----Original Message-----
>From: Harvey Sachs <hmsachs@verizon.net>
>Sent: Dec 17, 2008 2:33 PM
>To: rodk3d@comcast.net, Classic Rendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>, Harry Travis <travis.harry@gmail.com>
>Subject: re: [CR]Unusual frame design on eBay - Caselli track bike
>
>The frame design depicted increases the ability of the front end to
>track independently of the rear end, since it makes it easier for the
>axis of the steering apparatus to diverge from parallel with the seat
>tube. At the same time, it adds to the ability of the fork to absorb
>shock, by making it easier to twist around the "X" and momentarily
>shorten the wheelbase. I regard both attributes as "counterintuitive
>features," which might be marketer-speak for "really weird ways to make
>a track bike work less well." But, I could be wrong.
>
>harvey sachs
>mcLean va.
>
>Harry Travis asked:
>What understanding (or misunderstanding) of the forces on a bike would
>lead someone to build this frame? What problem does it solve? What
>weaknesses does it create? (I notice that with a smaller front wheel,
>more space has been furnished to the rider for her feet, and the
>headtube can be made longer.)
>
> >>
> >> Never seen a frame like this:
> >>
> >>
> >>
>http://ebay.com/<blah>