Re: [CR]NOW:Blind Bike Test WAS:Making Frames for Fun and Profit

(Example: Humor:John Pergolizzi)

From: "Brian Baylis" <rocklube@adnc.com>
To: chuckschmidt@earthlink.net
Cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: Re: [CR]NOW:Blind Bike Test WAS:Making Frames for Fun and Profit
References: <20021121.125033.-293583.19.richardsachs@juno.com> <3DDD1F78.CA18A62D@earthlink.net>
Date: Thu, 21 Nov 2002 11:49:11 -0800

Chuck,

The test you guys are referring to is intended to tell wheather bikes with different tubing have different ride qualities. That's not what I'm seeking to find the answer to. I'm curious to know if two bikes are built with identical tubing, dimentions, and fittings (and assuming the components are exactly the same) will it ride the same. Eliminate paint, and craftsmanship of the lugs etc. from the test also. I just want to know if someone builds the bike with extreme care as opposed to less so, but quite acceptably, will there be any difference that one can detect in the ride. I understand in theory there will be no difference; but I would like to know that for sure. Perhaps there is more to it than the theory can account for. Since no else seems interested to actually know the facts of the matter I will conduct the experiment myself when I have an opportunity. A blind identical test will be performed using several riders on two unknown frames. I will enlist the aid of Damon Raynard(sp?) for the test once I get there. He seems to be very thourough and impartial when he does his tests and has already gathered tons of information on frames and frame materials.

Brian Baylis La Mesa, CA I'd rather know than speculate.


> Brian and Richie, you guys must be getting old to have forgotton about
> the blind test done by Bicycle Guide and the thread posted on this list
> back in June:
>
> Subject: [CR]Re:Tubing Type,Blind Tests,Ride Quality,etc.
>
> Nick Zatezalo wrote:
>
> The previously mentioned Bicycle Guide Test was done in the Feb,96 issue.
>
> It featured 7 bicycles made of different Columbus steel tube sets &
> produced by Mondonico.
> They were test ridden by one rider[Alan Cote] over the same test route &
> then ranked by his preference.Later he was furnished with the in-
> formation about which tubing was used on each frame.
>
> The article includes a side bar by Grant Petersen,and comment by Mr
> Consistancy aka Richard Sachs "When someone is buying a bike from
> me,they're buying my design choices and my construction skills.I
> actually
> think material is the least consequential choice."
>
> Even though Mr.Cote had a preference his final comment was "What do
> these
> seven Mondonicos say about bike performance and testing? Perhaps more
> than
> anything,they illustrate that the personality of a bike is determined
> much
> more by fit,frame geometry,and components than by what kind of tubing
> lies
> under the paint."

>

> Chuck Schmidt

> SoPas, SoCal

>

> .