Taking things to the extreme... <68 degree frame angles, trail in the 4 inch range, a fork that was designed to function as a secondary shock absorber, an immense wheelbase, and oversized 28 inch wheels makes for one incredibly plush ride.

Add to that a rear ward riding position that un-weights the handlebars and you have a bike that has a ride quality that is, in my experience, without equal.

I have ridden a number of Raleigh Tourists and although they share the same geometry and parts I find that my '48 Rudge has an even nicer ride. That might have something to do with how the frames were built and the materials that were used.