Bike frame weather conditions visualisation
09-27-15, 06:34 AM
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Bike frame weather conditions visualisation
Does anyone know of, or have a link for, a visualisation of a frame going through stresses and strains, or the weather conditions that a frame lives through both during riding and over time please?
Such could be particularly useful in working out what kind of frame to buy depending on a number of factors and variables. It might also aid with working out where noises are coming from when all other factors have been considered and exhausted. Having had two frames fail on me (at the joint where the top tube and the seat tube meet) I have come to realise the importance of checking for cracks on a periodic basis. But I really want to learn more about frames and feel that such a visualisation could be a very valuable tool for all in identifying other problem areas and weak-spots in a frame so that such can be managed and shielded against.
If one were to ask the average cyclist "when did you last check the condition of your bike frame?" I wouldn't be surprised if many had never done this. And even if some did, would they even know what to look for? A simple scratch here or there, or a hairline crack in the frame itself? Indeed, it seems something that could be easily overlooked. And with steel frames that some times last decades, it is not surprising that such is so. But frames don't always last forever, as I have discovered, having come to discover the heartache of having to lay two good frames to rest
I suppose ultimately, I am apprehensive now as a result of my misfortune with bike frames. I can only be thankful that the cracks were spotted in time. If anything, the experience has opened my mind to the scope of frame dynamics giving rise to the need for awareness of frame factors when buying new bikes, etc. I don't have time to read all of the books (or have any desire to become a mechanic) and just need a quick reference guide and a visualisation could certainly be an interesting clip to watch and see what happens to that part of a bike which forms the foundation and shape on which all the other most-talked-about bike components sit, and on which, most importantly, the cyclist also sits on every corner, every hill and every single bike ride they ever do on it. It is that aspect most overlooked even while it continues to translate the contours of every road to the cyclist where without a frame, there would be no bike ride and there would be no experience. The bike frame quite possibly is the most forgotten best friend of the cyclist as without it there would be just a pile of bike bits!
Here's to whoever invented the bike frame:
Such could be particularly useful in working out what kind of frame to buy depending on a number of factors and variables. It might also aid with working out where noises are coming from when all other factors have been considered and exhausted. Having had two frames fail on me (at the joint where the top tube and the seat tube meet) I have come to realise the importance of checking for cracks on a periodic basis. But I really want to learn more about frames and feel that such a visualisation could be a very valuable tool for all in identifying other problem areas and weak-spots in a frame so that such can be managed and shielded against.
If one were to ask the average cyclist "when did you last check the condition of your bike frame?" I wouldn't be surprised if many had never done this. And even if some did, would they even know what to look for? A simple scratch here or there, or a hairline crack in the frame itself? Indeed, it seems something that could be easily overlooked. And with steel frames that some times last decades, it is not surprising that such is so. But frames don't always last forever, as I have discovered, having come to discover the heartache of having to lay two good frames to rest
I suppose ultimately, I am apprehensive now as a result of my misfortune with bike frames. I can only be thankful that the cracks were spotted in time. If anything, the experience has opened my mind to the scope of frame dynamics giving rise to the need for awareness of frame factors when buying new bikes, etc. I don't have time to read all of the books (or have any desire to become a mechanic) and just need a quick reference guide and a visualisation could certainly be an interesting clip to watch and see what happens to that part of a bike which forms the foundation and shape on which all the other most-talked-about bike components sit, and on which, most importantly, the cyclist also sits on every corner, every hill and every single bike ride they ever do on it. It is that aspect most overlooked even while it continues to translate the contours of every road to the cyclist where without a frame, there would be no bike ride and there would be no experience. The bike frame quite possibly is the most forgotten best friend of the cyclist as without it there would be just a pile of bike bits!
Here's to whoever invented the bike frame:
09-27-15, 08:24 PM
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There have been many computer programs that try to mimic the stress flows of a frame when under riding forces. Some manufactures even placed stress gages on real frames and road around with huge transmission cords running from bike to auto (Many years ago). Some reports have been published, books have been written too about this. But I don't know of any PBS style entertainment efforts. If a manufacturer lets out data or research it's going to be for marketing purposes and therefore suspect.
Then there's the stress until things break testing. Not really what I think the OP is asking about but still there's a lot of data that's been collected. Again as this would be fuel for lawyers and competition don't expect to find much in the public domain.
As to the rider's view of the frame. I agree that there has been a commoditizing of frames with the advent of 3rd country knock offs and on line purchasing. Frames are becoming more and more a disposable item as the fudge factor are designed out of them in the goal of minimal weight or cost. Andy.
Then there's the stress until things break testing. Not really what I think the OP is asking about but still there's a lot of data that's been collected. Again as this would be fuel for lawyers and competition don't expect to find much in the public domain.
As to the rider's view of the frame. I agree that there has been a commoditizing of frames with the advent of 3rd country knock offs and on line purchasing. Frames are becoming more and more a disposable item as the fudge factor are designed out of them in the goal of minimal weight or cost. Andy.
