I don't need convincing -- I already have two Rivendells, albeit older models with shorter chain stays. I know, too, that of course you can calculate the stresses, but the raw numbers tell only part of the story. Certainly, we know that frames such as the Gus Boots are more than strong enough, because they have passed the toughest mountain bike frame tests. What I am curious about has more to do with things such as drive train efficiency, rider feel, and frame longevity, all of which can be hard to measure, at least initially. I recognize there isn't going to be a pat answer that someone here can give. I was just thinking out loud, wondering where the practical limits lie, at what point performance starts to be compromised, when the drawbacks begin to outweigh the benefits.
On Thursday, January 30, 2020 at 5:43:25 PM UTC-8, James Valiensi wrote: > > For the Engineer - the bike frame is a simple truss - one can calculate > the defection. > But don’t waste you time over thinking a Rivendell - just ride one and > you’ll be sold. > > On Jan 30, 2020, at 5:21 PM, S <sbl...@gmail.com <javascript:>> wrote: > > From an engineering perspective, I worry about excessive flex with super > long chain stays. I don't believe super short stays deliver significantly > better acceleration, but I wonder if super long stays might rob energy from > the drive train, "flubbing out" your pedal strokes. Also, some of the > highest stresses in a frame are in the BB area, specifically in the area > where the right chainstay enters the BB. By lengthening the stay, you are > in effect creating a longer lever and potentially increasing the stress, > more so over rough ground where the rider is bouncing up and down on the > bike. > > On Sunday, January 5, 2020 at 4:43:56 PM UTC-8, Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! > wrote: >> >> I have wanted to start this thread for weeks. Fearing controversy, not >> desiring to start fights, and worried that staff at Riv will read this, I >> never mustered up the guts. But the long wheelbase bike topic has come up >> in several threads now, and maybe we should just have the discussion. >> People are wanting to buy these bikes, and since most don’t live near a >> dealer, we need to help each other out regarding bike fit. >> >> I got a new Clem L (unless you have been living under a ROCK you know >> this since it’s all I talk about. Go ahead, I dare you to ask me about the >> color of paint that it has. 😂) and it’s nothing like the other Clems I’ve >> known and loved. Why? Because it has an even longer wheelbase than than its >> long-wheelbase predecessors. >> >> Recently, Rivendell pointed us to an Ask Me Anything with Grant on >> Reddit. It was a wall of text and I read it. Folks asked their most >> pressing questions and Grant graciously answered them. Over and over and >> over again long wheelbase bikes were brought up, and Grant offered his >> opinion. Longer bikes are more stable, Cadillac-like, comfortable, etc. The >> opposite of twitchy, short-wheelbase bikes. We know this and most of us >> will accept it. >> >> BUT...what I am dying to know is this: how long can you go before it is >> no longer an improvement? >> >> Example: My 52 Clementine was much more comfortable than my 55 Betty Foy. >> Like it was tailor-made for me alone. The Betz was totally fine, no knocks >> against it, but the Clementine was just more plush. So, I agree with Grant >> - longer was better. >> >> The problem came with my Clem L, the 2019 version that had had its >> geometry changed. I didn’t know I was getting a different bike. I was >> surprised when I had to buy (several) different stems and a new long >> wheelbase bar for my Saris rack. It’s been a lot of adjustment, and I’ve >> been frustrated. If I understand correctly, several Rivendell models have >> been lengthened as of late. >> >> The burning question I have: Can anyone tell us if the new longer bikes >> are better or worse than the previous (also long) versions? We know the >> theory, what of the reality? I’m thinking especially of the Clems, as they >> were already SO long. But I think Atlantis people will also have something >> to say... >> >> I wanted to have this discussion because I genuinely want to know how the >> newest long bikes are working out for folks. But I also want to let others >> know that there are some things to consider if you get one of these new >> iterations. Will a 52 Clem fit on public transport? I think no. Will it fit >> on your vehicle hitch bike rack? Mine won’t. Will it be difficult for you >> to park your long bike in a public rack? Can you back your bike out of your >> garage/shed easily at this new length? What if you are right between sizes? >> Rivendell would have you go up, I’m not sure I wouldn’t have done better on >> the next size down. >> >> Of course we can have this discussion and keep it kind, can’t we, >> Friends. It would be so horrible if Rivendell staff read this and saw a lot >> of inflammatory remarks. I think we’re allowed to have a decent and >> informative chat, and undoubtedly some people will find it helpful. Plus, >> maybe Rivendell will find it useful. If the extra long bikes aren’t meeting >> expectations, maybe there will be changes to future bikes. >> >> I did put 9 miles riding up a mountain with groceries in my front basket >> on the new Clem L, so I’m working our relationship! >> Leah >> >> > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "RBW Owners Bunch" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com <javascript:>. > To view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/c9ac015b-a172-4dcb-807e-775e44297af9%40googlegroups.com > > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/c9ac015b-a172-4dcb-807e-775e44297af9%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > > > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. 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