The taper.
12-03-19, 01:10 AM
#1
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The taper.
There is one thing that will always make me smile, and that is the taper. To be more specific, when a bike has the chain on the big ring and the small cog and the distance between the chain at the center of the lower derailleur pulley and the top of the smallest cog is less than the diameter of the big ring, that, just makes a bike look good.
I do not own a bike where this occurs, I do like low gears, thus large cogs, thus rear derailleurs with long cages, thus, no aforementioned taper *sigh*. But, that does not prevent me from coveting bicycles with the taper.
53/11 with a short cage derailleur, man, that just looks good, and fast. There is no way that I'm the only person that feels this way, quite likely there is some other vernacular that describes this that I just don't know about...
And while a single speed, or fixie, or track bike, maximizes this taper, somehow that just doesn't count, the bike needs to have a rear derailleur for it to matter.
I do not own a bike where this occurs, I do like low gears, thus large cogs, thus rear derailleurs with long cages, thus, no aforementioned taper *sigh*. But, that does not prevent me from coveting bicycles with the taper.
53/11 with a short cage derailleur, man, that just looks good, and fast. There is no way that I'm the only person that feels this way, quite likely there is some other vernacular that describes this that I just don't know about...
And while a single speed, or fixie, or track bike, maximizes this taper, somehow that just doesn't count, the bike needs to have a rear derailleur for it to matter.
12-03-19, 07:02 AM
#2
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I'm hip to this. I first noticed it in bike ads in the late 80s to early 90s.
These days, I run 48-50T and lament the loss of "taper".
BITD pic of my Ciocc with 53/12
These days, I run 48-50T and lament the loss of "taper".
BITD pic of my Ciocc with 53/12
Last edited by thinktubes; 12-03-19 at 07:13 AM.
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12-03-19, 10:45 AM
#3
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Like this? 53-11 Short 7800 Dura Ace.
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12-03-19, 10:49 AM
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Nowadays, the taper is in the opposite direction with monster cassette cogs and a tiny chainring in front. Ugh.
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RUSA #7498
Originally Posted by chandltp
There's no such thing as too far.. just lack of time
Originally Posted by noglider
People in this forum are not typical.
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12-03-19, 04:48 PM
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Race bikes with big-to-small taper to advertise speed.
(Vintage) touring bikes with small-to-big taper to advertise (load/climbing) capability.
Always fun seeing that in the brochures.
Any more now, when taking a serious photo of my bike, I actually prefer to have no taper (with chain on the big ring), or very little (if the chain is short). I like horizontal lines and matching the top tube.
(Vintage) touring bikes with small-to-big taper to advertise (load/climbing) capability.
Always fun seeing that in the brochures. Any more now, when taking a serious photo of my bike, I actually prefer to have no taper (with chain on the big ring), or very little (if the chain is short). I like horizontal lines and matching the top tube.
12-03-19, 05:00 PM
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The taper is for people who live in the flatlands, or places where all hills are downhills.
So, I'm guessing that this is not a good look for you...
gravel bike showing reverse taper
So, I'm guessing that this is not a good look for you...
gravel bike showing reverse taper
12-03-19, 05:10 PM
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Want taper? Ride a fix gear. Get a nice taper in any gear. You can climbing mountains in a 42-23 and still have plenty.
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12-03-19, 05:16 PM
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Sur la Plaque
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
12-03-19, 05:17 PM
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Taper represents our memories of youth and strength, living in the big ring for most of the day.
New road bikes still have it.
New road bikes still have it.
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12-03-19, 05:31 PM
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You want taper? I'll give you taper!
Sur la plaque!
Sur la plaque!
12-03-19, 05:42 PM
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Originally Posted by gugie
Sur la Plaque
12-03-19, 05:55 PM
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And to think, I was expecting a heretical n-1 thread!
12-03-19, 06:55 PM
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Originally Posted by TXsailor
Like this? 53-11 Short 7800 Dura Ace.
Originally Posted by P!N20
How's this?
Yes!
Originally Posted by davester
The taper is for people who live in the flatlands...
Originally Posted by davester
So, I'm guessing that this is not a good look for you...
gravel bike showing reverse taper
gravel bike showing reverse taper
And sometimes when I get on my fat bike and I have to avert my gaze as the wedge is just so gauche, sure, it gets stuff done, but...
Originally Posted by clubman
Taper represents our memories of youth and strength, living in the big ring for most of the day.
Originally Posted by clubman
New road bikes still have it.
Originally Posted by davester
You want taper? I'll give you taper!
Sur la plaque!
Sur la plaque!
Originally Posted by mgopack42
And to think, I was expecting a heretical n-1 thread!
Last edited by jackbombay; 12-03-19 at 07:19 PM.
12-03-19, 07:18 PM
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Originally Posted by davester
You want taper? I'll give you taper!
Sur la plaque!
Sur la plaque!
