Can't say if this is the actual answer or not but I've heard that curved tubes allow riders in team time-trials to tuck in closer to each-other. Seems a bit of a stretch to me though.
John "straight as an arrow" Price Denver CO
-----Original Message----- From: Daniel Artley [mailto:dartley@co.ba.md.us] Sent: Thursday, November 07, 2002 11:27 AM To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: [CR]Curved Seat Tube Jack Taylor Question
While we've been on the subject, I'm a proud owner of a recently acquired curved tube Jack Taylor path racer / time trial frame. When showing my baby off, I've had a couple of friends ask: Why is the tube curved? Obviously to get the wheel tighter to the BB. But I really don't have The Answer.
Does it make it a better climber? (wouldn't hurt with riding fixed) Is it something to do with aerodynamics? (I know tandems use the curved seat tube in back to tuck the stoker up against the Captain for an aerodynamic advantage) A shorter wheelbase on a tandem might make the frame stiffer producing less sinuosity. But how about the single? Its frame is so light weight that there is a bit of whippiness even with the tighter rear triangle. Does it make the bike handle quicker? With plenty of fork rake this bike is quite stable, a real no hands machine. It doesn't seem to handle differently from most bikes. What was the real purpose behind this design?
Curious,
Dan Artley
Parkton, Maryland