New road bikes w/ downtube shifters and straight top tubes?
10-15-20, 09:35 AM
#52
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First, I agree. The straight fork is NOT a deal breaker. That might be a lot of bike for $550 for someone who likes it's semi-classic style. Or it might not, depending on how it rides.
Second, there is no data to show that a well-designed straight fork necessarily deflects less than a well-designed curved fork. Please see these actual data, which show that the "straight forks don't bend as much" hypothesis is probably a bunch of nonsense: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/rinard/..._forktest.html
Bottom-line: Assuming the fork was well designed, a straight fork can have equal flex to a curved fork. The fork isn't mounted at a 90 degree angle to the ground like a pogo stick. It clearly has considerable rake (and room to bend upon hitting a deformity in the road). The bigger questions are "How does this fork actually ride?" and "Was this bike well designed with thoughtful tubing diameters to give good ride quality"? I can't say, but if the tubing was well chosen, it looks like a potentially compelling option for the price.
10-15-20, 02:27 PM
#53
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Take a look at the pre-sale on the Crust Romanceur.
Lots of positives. imho
https://www.crustbikes.com/products/...nceur-presale/
I also like the Nor'easter, but it's a disc model.
https://www.crustbikes.com/products/nor-easter-3/
https://theradavist.com/2020/10/spea...-with-updates/
https://theradavist.com/2018/11/phil...2-speed-eagle/
Lots of positives. imho
https://www.crustbikes.com/products/...nceur-presale/
I also like the Nor'easter, but it's a disc model.
https://www.crustbikes.com/products/nor-easter-3/
https://theradavist.com/2020/10/spea...-with-updates/
https://theradavist.com/2018/11/phil...2-speed-eagle/
Last edited by gomango; 10-15-20 at 02:31 PM.
10-15-20, 02:40 PM
#54
Senior Member
I have to believe you can find a frame for a whole lot less than I'm seeing posted here. While the Surly Pacer isn't made there a lot of them out there. CL is full of reasonably priced vintage bikes. Now that winter is coming you shouldn't have a problem finding something.
10-15-20, 07:21 PM
#55
Newbie
I know it doesn’t have a horizontal top tube or downtube shifters, but I totally love the Public R18
As someone who really prefers vintage bikes this nonetheless really does it for me.
https://publicbikes.com/collections/...c-r18-drop-bar
As someone who really prefers vintage bikes this nonetheless really does it for me.
https://publicbikes.com/collections/...c-r18-drop-bar
