Re: [CR]Curved Seat Tube Jack Taylor Question

(Example: Component Manufacturers:Ideale)

From: <NortonMarg@aol.com>
Subject: Re: [CR]Curved Seat Tube Jack Taylor Question
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Date: Thu, 7 Nov 2002 16:45:43 EST

In a message dated 11/7/02 12:21:45 PM Pacific Standard Time, jprice@2-10.com writes:

<< 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? >> I used to have a certain fascination with ultra short chainstays until I had a bike with them. It was a French MecaCycle Turbo made in St. Etienne. The lower part of the seat tube was a pair of fork blades and the tire came between them. It was very convenient to wipe the tire while riding. The down side: my size 44 foot hit the rear derailleur with almost every pedal revolution, and climbing was a nightmare of keeping the front end down. I had to put a much longer stem to keep SOME weight on the front wheel.

Bicycle handling is a mix of weight distribution and position (among other things). Unless you sit very far forward, chainstays that short overweight the rear wheel and underweight the front. The up side: you can build a very light bike and have acceptable whip. It will have snap and acceleration. It's unusual and gets a lot of attention. If you like it, it's by definition a good bike.
Stevan Thomas
Alameda, CA