> Don Wilson wrote:
>
> Frame builders have connected seat stays to the side
> of the seat
> cluster, to the underside of the binder bolt mount
> in the seat cluster,
> to the back of the binder bolt where the seat
> cluster is, and Hetchins
> among others have routed the seat stays several
> inches down the seat
> tube and extending to connect with the top tube
> several inches ahead of
> the seat cluster.
> What is the dynamic effect of moving the seat stay
> connection point up
> or down the seat tube (other things being equal)?
>
> How far down a seat tube could the seat stay contact
> point be lowered
> and still result in an excellent riding bicycle?
>
My understanding of the rationale for lower-mounted fastback seatstays is thus:
1) From a mechanical engineering standpoint, the join between stay and seattube is held in place by compression, not shear, and is therefore theoretically stronger
2) Weight savings are achieved from the shorter length stays (= less metal in the frame)
3) Greater theoretical stiffness of the rear triangle due to the shorter stays
Emanuel Lowi Montreal, Quebec
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