Some 15 or 20 years ago I changed from a semi-custom Nobilette frame to a Gios Torino frame. The Gios was noticeably stiffer. When I did jumps (on either flats or hills) the Gios responded with more immediacy and directness than the Nobilette. With the Nobilette it seemed I could feel the frame flexing or winding up, and on the Gios the increase in effort seemed to go directly to rear wheels contact patch. My performance in races and group rides with local racing clubs was as good or better with the Gios. In my experience a stiffer frame does not necessarily imply reduced performance. I suspect that differences in riders physiques and pedaling styles affect what "a bike fine-tuned to their pedaling stroke" is.
On Jan 13, 6:56 am, Jan Heine <hein...@earthlink.net> wrote: > As a reader pointed out, I should have said "somewhat stiffer *down* tube" > instead of "top tube" below. > > > > > > > > On Sunday, January 13, 2013 6:33:31 AM UTC-8, Jan Heine wrote: > > > a formula that worked well: A relatively flexible top tube (usually 1/8" > > smaller in diameter than the down tube), a somewhat stiffer top tube, and > > very stiff (i.e., heavy and relatively short) chainstays. > > > Jan Heine > > Editor > > Bicycle Quarterly > >www.bikequarterly.com -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
