Show Off Your Bikes (Bicycles that is)

[tpl]

Surely the crotch clearance to the saddle is the same?

[dorin]

If I understand TPL's question correctly, he's asking why the seat-stays connect lower on the seat-tube on the newer frames.

The answer is that newer larger-diameter tubing on both frames and seatposts are strong enough to deal with the added forces from having more of seatpost extension.  If you can extend the seatpost further then you can also make the frame smaller which has the advantages of lower weight, more crotch clearance, and increased pedaling stiffness. Wolverine's Astro also happens to be a dual-suspension design, like Railton's Y-bikes but newer and better.

[normancw]

Surely the crotch clearance to the saddle is the same?

Crotch clearance to the top tube is nice when you have to put your feet down - which happens a lot on tough trails.  For road bikes, the sloping top tube gives shorter people some standover clearance.  On larger frames, like hoss' touring bike, it allows for a taller head tube (and increased distance between upper and lower headset bearing) while still providing standover clearance, to resist the torsional forces placed on the frame by the fork.

I'll go first this is my baby, a full custom Touring Bike built by Hugh Black at True North. I chose every tube and part on it.

[huota]

I don't have a picture of my current commuter, so here's one of my ex-bike - Specialized Enduro SL. It was a great bike, which I rode on the North Shore when I still lived in Vancouver. I have since moved out of the country and no more have mountains to ride, so I have sold it. Great bike.

[tpl]

Surely the crotch clearance to the saddle is the same?

Crotch clearance to the top tube is nice when you have to put your feet down - which happens a lot on tough trails.  For road bikes, the sloping top tube gives shorter people some standover clearance.  On larger frames, like hoss' touring bike, it allows for a taller head tube (and increased distance between upper and lower headset bearing) while still providing standover clearance, to resist the torsional forces placed on the frame by the fork.

Thank you gentlemen  I get it now. My frames way back then were not ever intended for off road and I am tall enough that a 21" or 23" frame ( how they measure frames now I don't know) fitted me just fine.    As it happens the frame that my trike conversion waas fitted to could well have benefited from a frame like Normancw's Kona Cinda provide that the trike seat stays could have been made tp fit to the seat tube above the bike seat stays by a good strong welded( brazed) fitting.

[Wolverine]

I don't have a picture of my current commuter, so here's one of my ex-bike - Specialized Enduro SL. It was a great bike, which I rode on the North Shore when I still lived in Vancouver. I have since moved out of the country and no more have mountains to ride, so I have sold it. Great bike.

Beautiful bike, too bad you couldn't use it anymore...

Don't have even trails around now??

When the time comes I will replace my frame with an All Mountain one.

[huota]

I don't have a picture of my current commuter, so here's one of my ex-bike - Specialized Enduro SL. It was a great bike, which I rode on the North Shore when I still lived in Vancouver. I have since moved out of the country and no more have mountains to ride, so I have sold it. Great bike.

Beautiful bike, too bad you couldn't use it anymore...

Don't have even trails around now??

When the time comes I will replace my frame with an All Mountain one.

Yeah, it's too bad, I really really liked the bike...

There are trails but it's practically flat here around here, which made me lose interest. It's kinda hard when you're spoiled by the Shore.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy an all-mountain bike if I ever moved back to BC. Go for it!

[hoss]

Crotch clearance to the top tube is nice when you have to put your feet down - which happens a lot on tough trails.  For road bikes, the sloping top tube gives shorter people some standover clearance.  On larger frames, like hoss' touring bike, it allows for a taller head tube (and increased distance between upper and lower headset bearing) while still providing standover clearance, to resist the torsional forces placed on the frame by the fork.

By using a compact frame the builder of my frame was able to create a bike which fit me I'm 6'5" tall with only a 30 inch inseam (think gorilla). My bike does not really look like a classic touring bike, but it sure does fit and ride nice.

Great rides people keep them coming!

[Wolverine]

Crotch clearance to the top tube is nice when you have to put your feet down - which happens a lot on tough trails.  For road bikes, the sloping top tube gives shorter people some standover clearance.  On larger frames, like hoss' touring bike, it allows for a taller head tube (and increased distance between upper and lower headset bearing) while still providing standover clearance, to resist the torsional forces placed on the frame by the fork.

By using a compact frame the builder of my frame was able to create a bike which fit me I'm 6'5" tall with only a 30 inch inseam (think gorilla). My bike does not really look like a classic touring bike, but it sure does fit and ride nice.

Great rides people keep them coming!

6'5" and 30 inseam??? WOOT, gorilla indeed, eheheheehh. I'm 6'1" and have 33.86".

[normancw]

By using a compact frame the builder of my frame was able to create a bike which fit me I'm 6'5" tall with only a 30 inch inseam (think gorilla). My bike does not really look like a classic touring bike, but it sure does fit and ride nice.

Great rides people keep them coming!

6'5" and 30 inseam??? WOOT, gorilla indeed, eheheheehh. I'm 6'1" and have 33.86".

OMG, I have a 30.75" inseam and I'm only 5'7" - actually, I'm only 5'6.5", but I like to round up 

You're built like Michael Phelps - do you swim?

has a long torso and short legs (his inseam is only 32 inches). Phelps height/leg ratio serves to his advantage because the lower body is what causes resistance or “drag” when swimming.

http://www.chevroncars.com/learn/famous-people/michael-phelps-olympic-champion

[hoss]

You're built like Michael Phelps - do you swim?

  It is a "unique" body shape. Not a competitive swimmer, but about a million years ago I was a fairly successful varsity Freestyle wrestler.

[sparky]

Here's my noble steed. (Hope this works. I haven't posted a pic before.)

Code:

[HeliDriver]

I spent the afternoon working in the garage, and had to move the bikes outside to give me some room to work.

I think it's time to cull the herd. 

[dr_spock]

SirCivic, have you considered starting a bicycle rental service? 

Sparky, is that an adjustable handlebar stem on your Specialized?  Or does it have shock absorbing feature?

[dorin]

I spent the afternoon working in the garage, and had to move the bikes outside to give me some room to work.

I think it's time to cull the herd. 

  Nice herd.  It's still pretty small.  Mine's more than twice the size. 

[safristi]

..feed the poor skinny buggers....or i'll call  MEALS ON WHEELS on ya..... ....

[hoss]

I spent the afternoon working in the garage, and had to move the bikes outside to give me some room to work.

I think it's time to cull the herd.

No, No!  Everyone knows the perfect number of bikes to own is X + 1, (with X being the number bikes you presently have).

I really won't sell that Black Specialized "Y" frame, the 8 foot guy who rides it might get mad!

[HeliDriver]

I really won't sell that Black Specialized "Y" frame, the 8 foot guy who rides it might get mad!

 

I'm 2" shorter than you are! 36" inseam, though, hence the skyscraper seatpost (it's a Thomson, BTW).

[sparky]

Sparky, is that an adjustable handlebar stem on your Specialized?  Or does it have shock absorbing feature?

Yes, doc, the bars adjust. I like a nice upright sightseeing-type riding position. (I am not about to set any speed or distance records.) For shock absorbing, there's the usual -- suspension forks and seat post, and the tall tires.
I was commenting earlier on how unspecialized this Specialized is. For me, that's a good thing, since my usual ride involves both pavement and easy trails. It's better on the roads and streets than a mountain bike, and better on the trails than a road bike.

[safristi]

..so if frames get smaller....'cos the mettalics! are better......are we all gonna look like Circus bears on a bike......no fackin' way............give me a frame where "GIANT " bikes roam...and keep the toys fer the wee Tour de PRANCE boys......