Mark Stonich wrote:
> I'd like to hear from 175-190 pounders who ride frames made with
> Reynolds 531 SL tubing. Do they, as Jan says "plane" or are they
> noodles? Does the chain rub the derailleur whenever the road gets steep?
>
> I'm planning to build myself a new 21" frame, which I'll equip with
> mostly on topic parts. The frame it will replace is an '81 Trek 710
> with 531 standard butted tubes, forks and stays. I don't cause any
> noticeable amount of flex on this. I weigh 185 but I'm not a strong
> rider and could weigh 165 without losing any muscle. (Anybody know
> where I can buy some will power?) I run low gears, so rarely have to
> stand when climbing. The bike will not be used for touring.
>
> I have a couple of old sets of standard 531, but I just found out a
> friend is sitting on several sets of 531 SL.
>
> BTW I've built a couple of recumbents where the frame stores some power
> at peak pedal force and returns it later in the stroke. Both climb
> quite well (at least for recumbents). So I'm convinced that matching
> frame flex to the rider can provide the "Planing" Jan refers to.
nowhere near 175lbs but 6"1 or so. Gave up on SL and similar as it just wasn't stiff enough in torsion, which causes selfsteering if you throw the bike in a fast corner.
Instead of 'planing' it might make more sense to refer to impedance matching
-- mvg
Marten Gerritsen
Kiel Windeweer
Netherlands