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09-26-11 | 08:56 AM

#26

Hermes

Version 7.0

Joined: Oct 2006

Posts: 13,844

Likes: 3,858

From: SoCa

Bikes: Road, Track, TT and Gravel

The way to measure frame flex is to stand facing the bike holding the handlebar and seat. With the pedal facing you down, push down with your foot and see how much the frame flexes. You will be surprised. Rider weight is an interesting metric but it is power that flexes the bike frame. 140 pound pros generate a couple of thousand watts where a recreational "heavy" rider may generate a few hundred when standing. It is the pushing down and pulling up with both the feet and hand that matter.

09-26-11 | 06:15 PM

#27

Wogster

Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 6,930

Likes: 5

From: Toronto (again) Ontario, Canada

Bikes: Old Bike: 1975 Raleigh Delta, New Bike: 2004 Norco Bushpilot

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Foster

You know I never thought I would be interested in a bike that would take wider tires than a 25 or at most a 28. People suggested CX bikes and I looked at them in horror looking at their MTB type brakes and semi knobby tires. The only experience I ever had was my Masi Café Solo that came with 28 commuter tires. Not my favorite ride. Now on some of the back roads I find myself on a wider tire doesn’t sound like such a bad idea.

Yes, wider tires can be more flexible when you have a less then perfect road, I have a 25 on the road bike and that's fine on anything from chipseal on up, the MTB has 26x1.75's (44.5mm) on it and those are much better on gravel or dirt, I would love to try a 32 on the road bike, but the fit would be iffy, even though it had 27" x 1¼ on it when new. I think the tire would fit if it was flat, then air up once it's installed.

09-26-11 | 06:34 PM

#28

Robert Foster

Thread Starter

Banned.

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 3,498

Likes: 2

From: Southern california

Bikes: Lapierre CF Sensium 400. Jamis Ventura Sport. Trek 800. Giant Cypress.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GFish

For a reasonable priced steel frame, check out Soma.
https://www.somafab.com/

I'm new to road cycling, and this steel bike is working well for me.

As for flex, I weigh around 190 and stand on the cranks all the time going up hills and never noticed any flex, the shifting works fine and no rubbing from the chain, the bike feels solid. I know one thing for sure, compared to aluminum, this bike rides smoother with less vibration, a very comfortable ride.

good luck...

Thanks for the Soma site. That was more like it. The smoothie frame shows promise.