Re: [CR]Curved Seat Tube Jack Taylor Question

(Example: Framebuilders:Norman Taylor)

In-Reply-To: <99D6BD2ABD5A584380BAA83B87F3228B118F2D@plhq-exchange.powerlight.com>
References: <99D6BD2ABD5A584380BAA83B87F3228B118F2D@plhq-exchange.powerlight.com>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
From: "joel metz, ifbma/sfbma" <magpie@messengers.org>
Subject: Re: [CR]Curved Seat Tube Jack Taylor Question
Date: Fri, 8 Nov 2002 14:18:54 -0800

jt catalogues from the 50s and 60s describe the curved tube as "a short wheelbase machine of special design, most suitable for hill climbs and short distance time trials" - the catalogue stock model came with a 46t chainwheel and 17/18t cogs (79"/71")

-joel
>I bought my JT curve tube from Dennis Stone at Stone's Cyclery in
>Alameda, CA about 10 years ago. At the time, Dennis told me that
>the curve tubes were built as hill climbing bikes. While I can't
>confirm the validity of this, I will say that it is a nice bike to
>ride in the hills. The stiff rear triangle always makes me feel
>like a faster climber, and the relaxed steering geometry makes for
>stable handling on the high speed descents. Mine is a six speed, so
>it has a good climbing gear, but spins out pretty quickly on the
>downhills.
>
>Jonathan Botkin
>El Cerrito, CA
>
>
>
>Message: 12
>Date: Thu, 07 Nov 2002 13:27:07 -0500
>From: "Daniel Artley" <dartley@co.ba.md.us>
>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
>
>_______________________________________________

--
joel metz : magpie@messengers.org : http://www.blackbirdsf.org/
bike messengers worldwide : ifbma : http://www.messengers.org/
po box 191443 san francisco ca 94119-1443 usa
==
i know what innocence looks like - and it wasn't there,
after she got that bicycle...