Stupid questions:
1.) Noticed something in the photos of the Della Santa frameset which brought to mind something which I never understood. Is there a reason for using horizontal dropouts on a modern road bike frame built for use of a rear derailleur?
Call me lazy, but I really hate fidgeting with the rear wheels on my old bikes - especially those (now most) which have mudguards fitted.
I have my own theories about the need for long dropouts - something which was never required (or wanted) on classic Touring bikes, even during the 1940s.
So, next question:
2.) What was the TRUE reason for use of long (or even shorter) horizontal dropouts throughout the On Topic period?
Feeling rather naive, but it seems that design of most ANY derailleurs produced during the past 25 years or more have finally made horizontal dropouts... as obsolete as buttons on trouser flys.
BOB HANSON, ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO, USA