Originally Posted by
Road Fan
One advantage inherent in the Gazelle frame is the use of a full-diameter top tube brazed to the seat tube, versus the twin laterals in conventional mixtes, and as shown in the Herse pictures. The fully tied top tube provides better frame resistance to longitudinal twist during hard pedaling, than do the spaghetti noodle twin laterals. One may argue that pedaling efficiency or at least stiffness (remember "planing") is not a significant concern in a bike such as a mixte, but why not?
Several reasons: the large diameter tube is at least twice the diameter of one lateral tube, and hence has four times the torsional stiffness. It is tied rigidly to the seat tube, so it reacts to seat tube torques as applied by hard pedaling (really, by any pedaling). It is shorter, so even if it had the same length (full frame length, around 1.1 meter instead of around .55 m) it would be a stiffer torsion spring.
So, sometimes stiffness is good and sometimes it's not, but it hard to argue that the Gazelle will not have more torsional stiffness, and that conventionally it should be a more efficient machine.
Sniff, sniff - I wasn't expecting someone with real knowledge and something to say (other than about taste) anymore. Well put, and thanks for the "physics" part - was new to me and interesting at that, actually I'll have to let it "soak in".
I think it was 'Stronglight' who pointed out, that none of the stepthroughs will ever be as stiff as a diamond frame [ceteris paribus], even the Gazelle 'cruisframe' flexes (a bit) more than a men's frame, but not as severe as a pure mixté.
Originally Posted by
Picchio Special
"Plump," perhaps, but elegantly so.
That reminds me of the 250 pound lady painting her finger nails and combing her hair.
Originally Posted by
Picchio Special
Always interesting that the reverse snobs are more adamant than the imagined "snobbery" windmill they're tilting at.
Who?
You don't really mean me, do you?