Originally Posted by
JYPC
In regards to the tiny down tube, I was referring to the diamond shape tubing and where the tubes are welded. It is a thick tubing vertically, but side to side it's not as durable. I wonder sometimes about carbon and aluminum tubing when it comes to side pressure and fatigue due to stress on such a thin side to side tubing. I understand the aerodynamic aspect of it, but durability after a wreck verses a steel frame.
I guess what I'm getting at is wrecks happen, and if I were to wreck on my steel frame I know I'll just dent a tubing, or break a wheel and spokes. Where as if I wreck on a super light aluminum or carbon frame that might be it for the frame. Now I don't plan on wrecking, and I'm very maneuverable, but it's just like commuting, I worry about the cars around me over my own mistaking actions; as goes for the other riders.
Straight bars are wicked. Top tube protectors do make sense in every aspect of bicycling towards every bicycle where handlebars have a chance to scratch and/or dent the tubing. Once again though, straight bars are wicked. Elastic membranes. Drawn out clichés into freeze-frame, a monkey display. Please, read into this paragraphs dissented misinterpretation.
The tubing is pretty thick vertically and actually horizontally it isn't thin. the walls of the downtube are thin but the shape of the tubing is quite substantial. you are right though. this frame doesn't have too much room for crashes.
as for the top tube protectors i don't mean to seem so "anti-top tube protectors" but the fact is....they won't do much in a crash. They do however protect your frame from getting scratches when you are locking it to a pole/bike rack/whatever....and they do have hipster style points. but seriously, a top tube protector's thin foam protection isn't going to do **** when you crash at 20-40 miles an hour....especially if you're still clipped in and your body weight is added to the mix...
flat bars are fine. I get it for city riding i guess. I prefer drops though for climbing. What I dont' understand is when people have flat bars that are cut shorter. Their logic is that it makes their riding profile thinner and thus less likely to swipe cars or something. I think its more of a macho "hey look at me and how I made my bike less efficient at steering on purpose! aren't I dangerous and messengery"
here's an example of the lamest thing ever:
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/t...ke_art_022.jpg
where they use short riser bars with oury grips. seriously? Seriously? I can't wait to see a fixed gear someday with bmx bars.
but flats are fine. I know a guy who just bought a brooklyn machine works gangsta and put flat bars on them with ergo grips and it steers great and yeah...whatever
also...i have no idea what this means:
"Elastic membranes. Drawn out clichés into freeze-frame, a monkey display. Please, read into this paragraphs dissented misinterpretation."