Originally Posted by
bikemig
Funny, yeah I tend to be a speed reader which can be a problem sometimes; I read the article with an eye towards how Trek revolutionized the industry and I must have glossed over the touring stuff. But it makes sense, it was the touring and sports touring bikes that gave Trek their entree into the market. There was a lot of competition when it came to racing bikes but Trek was early with the idea that there was a market for high end bikes for people who did not race.
There's only a little paragraph about it...
"It was through the specialization of design that Trek caught the eye of the American cyclist. Hogg pushed the concept of "function-specific" cycles- Long wheelbase geometry and handfuls of brazed-on bosses for touring bikes and short wheelbases and rigid frames for racing."
So taking that 42-44 cm chainstay length for an all-arounder and extending
that as a specific touring feature.