Originally Posted by fore
onetinsloth: i reckon Look does something similar with their track frames, with a pointy leading edge on the head tube. i believe theirs even turns with the handlebars/wheel, thanks to that funky headset/fork design they've got going.
and i don't think one necessarily would have to weld extra metal to the head tube to shape it like that. i dont see why that couldn't be made in the same way the rest of the tubes are.
oh well. doesnt matter. my comment was more directed towards the "it's not lugged, skinny tubed steel, so it's ugly" type of vibe i was feeling. whether or not it really is more aerodynamic means **** all to me, really.
yeah, i was thinking look probably did something like that...
if the frame is something like Al or Ti, the piece would either have to be welded, as it is in this case, or, the metal could be formed, but then there would have to be another round tube inserted and probably welded or bonded for the headset. the reason why look can get away with it is that the actual headtube of the frame (with the headset) is behind the aero section, so basically, the aero section is an extra hunk of carbon. a pretty nifty idea, but i'd be curious to know how that affects steering. and really, how effective is an aero head tube gonna be when the tires are already creating wind resistance?...mmm..."aero bladed" tires....
RacerX: i think i kind of like the older one better than the newer. i don't like the headtube or the seatstays on the newer one...and the older one uses a 650c front wheel for added cool factor. it also looks all shabby and tarnished (granted that would probably polish out), which i think gives it a great, sort of antiquey/war-torn look...and the new one isn't a track frame.
if i ever start my own company, and i design and produce an aero frame, i'm gonna call it the "Hot Knife Through Butter," or the H.K.T.B. for short. Or the "Big-Ass Chef's Knife Through a Cucumber."