Just remember that the Taylor and the Paramounts were still quite a bit different from a Rigi! The rest of the geometry was pretty "normal" with 72-74 degree angles and normal front centers etc. Rigis were radical in those areas too. Super steep, short offset, etc. Not a split seat tube, but for a hoot, I built a frame intentionally with rather Rigi-like angles (76-77 degrees!) and super stiff as-short-as-I-could-make-them Columbus PS bulged out track chain stays. It belongs to Jimmy Murray, the owner of Revi Cyclewear. Anyway, the ride is exhilarating, quick and goes in a straight line . But a small amount of steering input yields instant and dramatic response. Not bad as long as you stay alert. The negatives are that the rear end kinds of bounces and bucks on bumpy pavement especially noticeable when climbing. A more compliant tubing or longer chain stays doesn't behave that way....... In my view another case where the supposed God of "Stiffness" is a false one...
Dale Brown
Greensboro, North Carolina