All right. Since y'all are bound and determined to try and prove me wrong, please define "the ride"
of a bike, and the relevant criteria involved. Please use small words, since I am from VA...
I'll postulate that "the ride" of a bicycle is a result of the interaction between the rider, the
frame, the wheels/tires, and the road. The ride of a given bike cannot be measured without taking
into account the rest of the system.
I will further postulate that the ride of the frame is independent of what wheels/tires, fork, etc.
that are mounted on the frame. You can either add to or subtract from relative comfort of the system
by changing components, but it has nothing to do with the way a frame reacts to inputs.
So, please explain in small words, how changing geometry is going to affect the ride of a frame,
since all frames' have approximately the same stiffness vertically. Seatstays, being in compression
and all...
Ditto with fit, since all fit does is affect relative comfort, not how the frame reacts to inputs.
Or is "the ride" so subjective from one person to another that it can't be measured? Marketing
aside, there HAS to be something that isn't being taken into account. When I can transfer the same
components from one frame to another and be able to tell that one frame rides differently (with the
same components!) than the other, and without any preconceived notions, y'all aren't doing the right
tests or something. No, I'm not smoking crack, my two steel road frames (with the same parts!) ride
differently.
I'm not trying to say anyone's wrong. I'm just trying to prove that if you're testing for the wrong
thing, you get the wrong answers. I haven't a clue what the "right" test is, but it sure ain't what
I've read so far.
Mike
"archer" <ns_archer1960@ns_hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I know Aluminum frames have had a reputation (deserved or not) of being stiff, and I'm wondering
> if that's still true, with the different alloys they use now. My current bike is a 20+ year old
> steel-framed Schwinn LeTour (a.k.a LeTank).
>
> I'm looking at a Specialized Sequoiah Expert or equivalent, and there seems to be a lot to choose
> from in that range. Pretty much all the bikes in that price range seem to have aluminum frames
> with carbon forks, and I'm curious how the ride might compare between the two (leaving the
> suspended seat on this particular model out of the equation). The LeTour has 27 x 1.25, 85psi
> tires, and the Sequoiah has 700 x 26c tires, but I don't know the pressure.
>
> Opinions, please?
>
> --
> David Kerber An optimist says "Good morning, Lord." While a pessimist says "Good Lord, it's
> morning".
>
> Remove the ns_ from the address before e-mailing.