Folding Bikes - Bike Friday NWT Select...

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5011/5482608136_ac49bfa63e_b.jpg

More folding bike porn from my recent visit to Bike Friday HQ. This NWT is showing off one of their new build concepts they'll be selling through their dealers (http://thelazyrando.wordpress.com/2011/02/27/bike-friday-new-world-tourist-select/). IMO smart move as these bikes will really jump out from the crowd at a LBS now with the small wheels and contrasting colours.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5255/5482617652_5ea0194f39_z.jpg

Why are the seatstay tangs for that rear rack made of flat steel? Using plate steel is a reasonable enough compromise for cheaper full-size bike racks when they're only a few inches long, and usually have a 90 degree twist giving some extra lateral stiffness. Here, those tangs are as long as the main rack tubes, have no twists, and just look flexy as all giddup. This is a $$$$ bike, so why not just use tubular steel throughout?

Why are the seatstay tangs for that rear rack made of flat steel? Using plate steel is a reasonable enough compromise for cheaper full-size bike racks when they're only a few inches long, and usually have a 90 degree twist giving some extra lateral stiffness. Here, those tangs are as long as the main rack tubes, have no twists, and just look flexy as all giddup. This is a $$$$ bike, so why not just use tubular steel throughout?

The short answer is because they work just fine as is. The seatstays braces on any rack only serve to resist the front to back rotation of the rack. You don't need much strength to do that. Adding beefier seatstay braces would result in no improvement to how the rack functions.

I gotta agree with Thasiet. Those braces look like a kludge. I'm digging that Robin's Egg blue. The red contrast? Hmmm. Maybe an acquired taste.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3455/3394976489_a4dd2201f9_z.jpg

My NWT has hauled all manner of stuff with the same struts with no hint of flex. You can always paint them to match the rack if you prefer.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/vikapproved/sets/72157623989828787/

My NWT has hauled all manner of stuff with the same struts with no hint of flex. You can always paint them to match the rack if you prefer.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/vikapproved/sets/72157623989828787/

No doubt they work fine, I was just commenting on the appearance. They stand out much less on the white NWT you posted. That's a great-looking bike. Nice photo set you linked also.

Sweet looking bike! What kind of cranks are those?

Sweet looking bike! What kind of cranks are those?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3556/3394981269_925209c841_z.jpg

On the black and white NWT?...Shimano 105.

Any sideways triangulation on those racks? or are the stays both parallel?

With shop access, for, my Bruce Gordon rear racks on my touring bikebuild,
I used 1/2" steel square tubing, and put bottle braze-ons for the 4 topside bolts.

1/8" steel tab for the bolts to the seat stays were short.

much better than stainless strips commonly used.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3556/3394981269_925209c841_z.jpg

On the black and white NWT?...Shimano 105.

Those look great with the Sugino ring.

I thought that the silver ones on the blue NWT might be some classy hollow spindle cranks...may just be the angle.

Nice! My US$0.02:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3069/2943219173_8307f0d620.jpg

http://www.performancebike.com/images/performance/products/1500/50-6738-RED-ANGLE.jpg

braces on any rack only serve to resist the front to back rotation of the rack. You don't need much strength to do that. Adding beefier seatstay braces would result in no improvement to how the rack functions.

They [seat stay struts] can add lateral stability also - which is why I agree it's unloigcal to use the stays oriented as are. That rack is not laterally very resistant, I have one and it's no tubus (but costs more than a tubus). When getting something that high and far off the seat stays with no [lateral] triangulation in the rear section of the rack, you need more tricks to help. A cross braced seat stay mount using a tube'd structure would help.

Those look great with the Sugino ring.

I thought that the silver ones on the blue NWT might be some classy hollow spindle cranks...may just be the angle.

I like square taper BBs and cranks whenever possible, but the BF Selects will have the modern external BB/crank setup.