Re: [CR]"Q" and other mythology

(Example: Framebuilders:Alex Singer)

Date: Tue, 04 Nov 2008 08:09:28 +0100
From: "M-gineering" <info@m-gineering.nl>
Cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: Re: [CR]"Q" and other mythology
References: <be9.3f469d11.36410949@aol.com>
In-Reply-To:


LouDeeter@aol.com wrote:
> In The Flying Scotsman movie, a feature film based on the story of Graeme
> Obree, there is a scene where Graeme "discovers" that he gets his most efficient
> pedaling while his legs are closer together than he can get with a normal
> bicycle. He then proceeds to build the bike with a very narrow bottom bracket
> using the bearing from a washing machine if I recall the scene correctly. I
> hadn't given a lot of thought to Q factor and the efficiency factor until then.
> I attribute it more to preference of the cyclist, but then, I'm never going
> to be confused with a fast rider. Lou Deeter, Orlando FL USA
>

All he might have discovered is that a narrow profile was more aerodynamic. It could even be that the aerodynamic gains offset a decrease in efficiency, no way of telling without extensive testing ;)

-- mvg

Marten Gerritsen
Kiel Windeweer
Netherlands