long chain stays on a touring bike?
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 48
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
long chain stays on a touring bike?
What, if any, are the disadvantages of a bike with a very long chainstay? I see that the
Masi Speciale Randonneur had a chainstay length of 465mm! While the others I am
considering are at 425mm...the Volpe, Crosscheclk, Clubman, etc.
It seems like the longest chainstay of any of the bikes im looking at. Will this mean a more
slow, sluggish feel to the bike?
Now, I wondering if I should go with the Volpe instead? Im a numbers guy and I may be
overthinking this and it really means nothing.
Any thoughts?
Masi Speciale Randonneur had a chainstay length of 465mm! While the others I am
considering are at 425mm...the Volpe, Crosscheclk, Clubman, etc.
It seems like the longest chainstay of any of the bikes im looking at. Will this mean a more
slow, sluggish feel to the bike?
Now, I wondering if I should go with the Volpe instead? Im a numbers guy and I may be
overthinking this and it really means nothing.
Any thoughts?
#2
Galveston County Texas
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: In The Wind
Posts: 33,221
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1346 Post(s)
Liked 1,236 Times
in
617 Posts
The long 465mm chainstays give the bike a surfing feel when carving through turns and should work to stabilize the bike when loaded with extra weight.
__________________
Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
#3
17yrold in 64yrold body
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Northern CA
Posts: 922
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Touring bikes usualy have longer chainstays to provide room for heel clearance (to panniers). It also gives the bike more 'relaxed' handling, and a little more comfort.
#4
Senior Member
The advantage of a long chainstay bike is it should make the bike feel more stable *and* it gives you more room to mount panniers without suffering from heel strike (when your heels hit the panniers). The bigger your feet , and the bigger your panniers, the more likely this will bother you.
A shorter bike is going to feel a bit stiffer and snappier.
If you're thinking about touring, I'd favor the bike with longer chainstays.
A shorter bike is going to feel a bit stiffer and snappier.
If you're thinking about touring, I'd favor the bike with longer chainstays.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 5,198
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 137 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 81 Times
in
64 Posts
The CrossCheck has horizontal dropouts, if you put the wheel all the way back it's about 45cm. The 700LHT has the same length of chainstays as the 26" version but the 26" handles quicker. I don't think handling is that defined by chainstay length compared to the total effect of other dimensions and how the gear is attached to the bike . If the panniers are loose and floppy with high mounted gear on the handlebars it won't matter what length the chainstays or top tube is. The bike will handle funky.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Bay Area, Calif.
Posts: 7,239
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 659 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
6 Posts
Yes, the bike with shorter chainstays will have handling that feels quicker (or 'twitchier' if you don't like it). And there'll be a few extra grams of weight, both for the extra length directly and also for a bit heavier build if the frame rigidity is to be kept the same.
Longer chainstays reduce the chance of heel strike against panniers and have more stable ('sluggish' if you don't like it) handling, especially when loaded. Long stays are also a benefit if you want to run fat tires in conjunction with fenders.
But the differences are pretty slight - I've used my crit-geometry bike with 390mm stays for fully loaded camping trips and didn't have any issues. Conversely, I don't feel any slower on my touring bike with 450mm stays (except in the hills - and that's due to weight, not geometry).
Longer chainstays reduce the chance of heel strike against panniers and have more stable ('sluggish' if you don't like it) handling, especially when loaded. Long stays are also a benefit if you want to run fat tires in conjunction with fenders.
But the differences are pretty slight - I've used my crit-geometry bike with 390mm stays for fully loaded camping trips and didn't have any issues. Conversely, I don't feel any slower on my touring bike with 450mm stays (except in the hills - and that's due to weight, not geometry).
#7
Senior Member
Agree. Just make sure you buy a chain that's long enough! I was a little surprised to find that a standard 114-link SRAM chain seemed just barely long enough to fit my Nashbar touring frame (455mm stays?) w/50-39-30 crank and 12-27 cassette.
#8
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,115
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
465 is not all that long, there are other longer choices out there. Look up the recent thread about Arvon Stacey. Also Sakkit, and Thorn. Noted bike engineer Jobst Brandt who is towards the roadie end of our spectrum, or credit card touring, none the less uses long chainstays on his bike. He is not sold on the short stay advantage even in higher performance riding that we do while loaded touring:
https://yarchive.net/bike/short_chainstays.html
https://yarchive.net/bike/short_chainstays.html
#9
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 48
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thank you for all your comments......
The truth is I have NO intentions at ALL in doing touring or adding panniers to the bike. I will be using the bike for casual to moderate weekend group/solo rides, 25-50 mikes charity rides and hopefully a Century in the
future. Im beginning to think the Masi Randonnuer really is NOT the appropriate bike for my needs.
I tihink the Bianchi Vople or Salsa Casseroll(sold out nationally until Sept in my 53cm size) may be a bit more appropriate for me.
Thoughts?
The truth is I have NO intentions at ALL in doing touring or adding panniers to the bike. I will be using the bike for casual to moderate weekend group/solo rides, 25-50 mikes charity rides and hopefully a Century in the
future. Im beginning to think the Masi Randonnuer really is NOT the appropriate bike for my needs.
I tihink the Bianchi Vople or Salsa Casseroll(sold out nationally until Sept in my 53cm size) may be a bit more appropriate for me.
Thoughts?
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 5,198
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 137 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 81 Times
in
64 Posts
The truth is I have NO intentions at ALL in doing touring or adding panniers to the bike. I will be using the bike for casual to moderate weekend group/solo rides, 25-50 mikes charity rides and hopefully a Century in the
future. Im beginning to think the Masi Randonnuer really is NOT the appropriate bike for my needs.
Thoughts?
future. Im beginning to think the Masi Randonnuer really is NOT the appropriate bike for my needs.
Thoughts?
seriously you're overthinking one straightline measurement of one part of a bike. You could just as well obsess over tubing diameter or wall thickness for the relevance to your needs. A bike built for carrying loads needs to be built more heavily with heavier wheels and tires than one that isn't. Since you aren't touring look around for a comfortable riding light road bike. And don't forget to check the pressure in the tires regularly.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Southern Maine
Posts: 8,937
Mentioned: 129 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12171 Post(s)
Liked 1,481 Times
in
1,094 Posts
I tried the Masi Rando and thought it sucked.
Anything else.
Anything else.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Right where I'm supposed to be
Posts: 1,629
Bikes: Franklin Frames Custom, Rivendell Bombadil
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 115 Post(s)
Liked 206 Times
in
125 Posts
Don't get caught up in the labels.... that a long chainstay is good for this, or bad for that.
I have long chainstays on all my bikes.
I have no problem maneuvering the bike as well as I did with a racing bike. I can do group rides with all the racing bikes without thought. Riding is riding.
A long chainstay bike is more comfortable, no doubt.
The only limits are what we put our mind on.
I have long chainstays on all my bikes.
I have no problem maneuvering the bike as well as I did with a racing bike. I can do group rides with all the racing bikes without thought. Riding is riding.
A long chainstay bike is more comfortable, no doubt.
The only limits are what we put our mind on.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 5,198
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 137 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 81 Times
in
64 Posts
that's the truth. 30yrs ago I was 140lbs riding a fancy light touring bike across Utah. At a campground there was this older French Canadian guy riding a heavily loaded Gitane with steel rims and plain carbon steel tubing going the other direction. He looked as chunky as I do now except his legs looked like tree trunks. The bike disappears once you start riding.
#15
Training Wheel Graduate
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: San Juan/Gulf Islands
Posts: 499
Bikes: Bridgestone Grand Velo, Evans Randonneur (custom), Moser 51.151, Surly LHT & Pacer, Kona/FreeRadical, Trek 730, Trek 510
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
If you ride a lot or have the right bike. I started touring on a mountain bike with front suspension. I toured for three years on that bike and hated it but knew I wanted to tour. No matter how hard I worked and how in shape I was, I could never keep up with my wife. After a particularly long day and insane climb up a long hill, my right calf cramped so bad I thought it was going to explode. I swore that I would get a proper touring bike. I got one the following winter and have never looked back. Turns out, I enjoyed biking so much that I bought a bike shop!
#16
17yrold in 64yrold body
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Northern CA
Posts: 922
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
twodeadpoets: +1 on using 'the right tool for the job". Many people use MTB's for touring (me included), and love them. For THEM it is the right tool. Others benefit from a 'proper' touring bike. THAT is their 'right tool'. Each person has to make up his/her mind what is right for THEM! And I am sometimes amused by people who think they know what works for me BETTER than I do!? (also sometimes annoyed).
Like armpits, everyone has a couple opinions, and everyone else think theirs stink! That said, if you ask for opinions, you will get a wide variety of them. I would advise using them as a guideline, NOT as a rule.
Like armpits, everyone has a couple opinions, and everyone else think theirs stink! That said, if you ask for opinions, you will get a wide variety of them. I would advise using them as a guideline, NOT as a rule.
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Far beyond the pale horizon.
Posts: 14,240
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4221 Post(s)
Liked 1,322 Times
in
916 Posts
The truth is I have NO intentions at ALL in doing touring or adding panniers to the bike. I will be using the bike for casual to moderate weekend group/solo rides, 25-50 mikes charity rides and hopefully a Century in the
future. Im beginning to think the Masi Randonnuer really is NOT the appropriate bike for my needs.
I tihink the Bianchi Vople or Salsa Casseroll(sold out nationally until Sept in my 53cm size) may be a bit more appropriate for me.
Thoughts?
future. Im beginning to think the Masi Randonnuer really is NOT the appropriate bike for my needs.
I tihink the Bianchi Vople or Salsa Casseroll(sold out nationally until Sept in my 53cm size) may be a bit more appropriate for me.
Thoughts?
People tour on the Volpe and the Crosscheck. These bikes might be more prone to heel-strike issues but such a problem isn't a certainty (just don't use large panniers!).
But the differences are pretty slight - I've used my crit-geometry bike with 390mm stays for fully loaded camping trips and didn't have any issues. Conversely, I don't feel any slower on my touring bike with 450mm stays (except in the hills - and that's due to weight, not geometry).
Last edited by njkayaker; 07-03-10 at 03:56 PM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
tdm2003
Touring
4
08-29-11 11:12 PM
waterbugg
Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling
29
09-05-10 09:19 PM