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Old 08-15-08 | 07:43 PM
  #67  
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invisiblehand
Part-time epistemologist
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,870
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From: Washington, DC

Bikes: Jamis Nova, Bike Friday triplet, Bike Friday NWT, STRIDA, Austro Daimler Vent Noir, Hollands Tourer

Originally Posted by rhm
With the bikes side by side (see Caaah's photo), there is very little difference. The wheel base is essentially the same; as is, my rear wheel is all the way forward in the dropout, so my wheel base is a little shorter than Caaah's; but I'm pretty sure the difference is entirely within the rear dropouts. With the front wheels side by side, the headsets are also perfectly aligned side by side; but the handlebar of the Curve is a couple inches farther forward. This difference comes from the angle built into the stem. (Curve +1).

Riding the bikes, my Mini seems stiffer, on comparison to the Curve which feels more flexy. That flexiness, as far as I could tell, comes (mostly?) from the stem. Sometimes, when pedaling vigorously, I thought the stem was even creaking a little. I don't like this flexiness, but it does not feel like a serious issue. It prevented me from comparing the stiffness of other features, such as frame and seat post. Curve, by the way, has a thicker seat post which would, in theory, be a little stiffer.
Interesting Rudi. This is somewhat relevant to the recent discussion. A couple of inches forward sounds pretty good to me if it doesn't compromise the fold. I wonder what type of quill stem the Curve uses and whether it is compatible with the Mini.

Thor? Can you answer this question?
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