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Triple triangle frame
Anyone can tell performance of a triple triangle frame. Is it meant for something just aesthetics. Im planning to have one customized since its the only frame that i dont have. Just curious what the geometry is for.
Thanks for any insights. |
Originally Posted by NormanB
(Post 21645176)
Anyone can tell performance of a triple triangle frame. Is it meant for something just aesthetics. Im planning to have one customized since its the only frame that i dont have. Just curious what the geometry is for.
Thanks for any insights. What do you mean “have one customized? And what do you even mean by “triple triangle”? Are you talking about GT frames? If so, it has nothing to do with the geometry of the frame. |
"Triple triangle," aka "Hellenic" frames are an aesthetic flourish, not a performance or structural improvement.
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They look nice IMO; I have one and the only thing I don't like is that my legs rub the seat stays occasionally. It happens more later into long rides as I get sloppier but its there. This must be a YMMV thing due to frame size, angles, fit, and body proportions. I asked a friend if that happens to him on his GT and he looked at me like I was crazy. I am way skinnier than he.
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I think the op reversed his words and forgot to use a question mark. Can anyone tell the ....?
For most GTs, especially 90s metal ones, it is just a way to identify the brand. It's practically their logo. The relatively recent GT Grade gravel bikes in carbon might actually be different. The seatstays are not bonded to the seat tube, just the top tube connection point. They claim this allows float and acts like a passive suspension. Not much but enough to give a comfy ride. I don't know if their claims are true or if the engineered flex is greater with their design. |
GT was well known but they were certainly not the only manufacturer making triple triangle frames.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...fd0d6a8015.jpg Shogun Kaze lopro bike. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...7993d86462.jpg My '87 Nishiki Linear |
Not sure if it's more time period or frame size, but the ones that appeal to me the most are when the seat stays are parallel to the downtube.
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Originally Posted by gear64
(Post 21646449)
Not sure if it's more time period or frame size, but the ones that appeal to me the most are when the seat stays are parallel to the downtube.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...cccd459cba.jpg |
Just a slight variation on the 1890 safety bike frame.
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They seem to be designed primarily for banging your kneecaps against.
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Originally Posted by Kapusta
(Post 21645237)
What is the question? You state in your first sentence there is a performance difference and then ask if is just aesthetics.
What do you mean “have one customized? And what do you even mean by “triple triangle”? Are you talking about GT frames? If so, it has nothing to do with the geometry of the frame. |
Thank you all for the infos it helped a lot knowing some background info on a bike. Thank you so much!
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It was supposed to make the rear triangle stiffer, because frame flex was thought to absorb pedaling energy. If memory serves, back when Bicycling used to include measured frame deflection in their bike reviews, such frames often measured stiffer than normal ones with the same tubing. This does make geometric sense. But, since frame flex does not in fact absorb pedaling energy, this is irrelevant for any reason other than subjective preference.
If you like the look, and you like the feel of a stiff, short rear triangle, and if they don't hit your legs, go for it. The only reason they were made, and the only reason they stopped being made, was fashion. I'd bet that the crapification of GT bicycles in the late 90s and early 2000s is the biggest reason that nobody makes them that way anymore... it was GT's signature thing, so when GT bikes became garbage, the "triple triangle" died along with GTs reputation. (I always thought it looked coolest on "funny bike" designs. Those Shoguns were the cat's ass when I was a junior racer in the late 80s. Cheapest way to get a cool TT bike. Having a cool TT bike was important back then.) --Shannon |
Originally Posted by ShannonM
(Post 21653988)
It was supposed to make the rear triangle stiffer, because frame flex was thought to absorb pedaling energy. If memory serves, back when Bicycling used to include measured frame deflection in their bike reviews, such frames often measured stiffer than normal ones with the same tubing. This does make geometric sense. But, since frame flex does not in fact absorb pedaling energy, this is irrelevant for any reason other than subjective preference.
If you like the look, and you like the feel of a stiff, short rear triangle, and if they don't hit your legs, go for it. The only reason they were made, and the only reason they stopped being made, was fashion. I'd bet that the crapification of GT bicycles in the late 90s and early 2000s is the biggest reason that nobody makes them that way anymore... it was GT's signature thing, so when GT bikes became garbage, the "triple triangle" died along with GTs reputation. (I always thought it looked coolest on "funny bike" designs. Those Shoguns were the cat's ass when I was a junior racer in the late 80s. Cheapest way to get a cool TT bike. Having a cool TT bike was important back then.) --Shannon |
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