Re: Reynolds 931 "cheap stainless" -- Michael Press Prize for brilliant marketing

On Sep 9, 6:02 am, James <james.e.stew...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
On 9/09/2011 2:35 PM, AMuzi wrote:



James wrote:
On 9/09/2011 11:45 AM, Andre Jute wrote:
http://road.cc/content/news/43047-more-eurobike-goodness-gilles-berth....

and scroll down.

Reynolds 931 "cheap stainless"
Twenty per cent more than 853, ten per cent less than 951, yup, that's
brilliant marketing. Or maybe they really wanted to kill both
successful products, and still leave the customer dissatisfied with
having received only the "cheap" stainless.

I also wonder how stainless it is. But this caught my eye..
"Reynolds is also rolling out to its customers who are typically
custom framebuilders without access to sophisticated computer
modelling tools a programme called eReynolds FEA (Finite Element
Analysis) which will enable them to 'build' their frames in virtual
form to test the feasibility of tubing and joining options before
expensively committing to physical prototypes."

I wonder whether some more adventurous frame designs come about as a
result. Years ago there was a local frame builder who designed what he
called a "Compuframe", IIRC. The seat stays crossed the seat tube and
joined the top tube 4-5 inches along. Although I rode one of these
frames for a while, it didn't stand out as feeling particularly
different from the previous steel frame I had (another locally made
531 lugged frame).

Old design. Hetchins "Hellenic Triangle"

http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/bikes/hellenic-kh1a.jpg

Wow!  That's the sort of thing.

I chatted to a mate who's got a:http://www.bmc-racing.com/int-en/bikes/2011/road/model/racemachine/rm...

I looked at it for a moment and said, "I bet it's comfortable."  He said
it is the most comfy road bike he's ridden.

I wonder if a similar design could be made in steel, and whether it
would also be more comfortable than having the stays in the traditional
position.  My guess is it allows the seat post to rotate further under
load.  Only testing would reveal actual differences of course.

--
JS.

You want a steel frame with pencil stays. I use one, but the wheel
has to be top notch (when one is 14st ) or things are too soft at the
back making the rear end track one way then the other when climbing at
a not too frenetic cadence. Squaring off the chainstays helps reduce
excessive flexing, but it's usually an accepted comprimise with
steel.
.

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