" I guess I was wondering out loud how others feel about their bikes with 6 degree upsloping top tubes as relates to climbing." Says John, and in response I offer that: I feel my 6deg. upsloping twin top tubed Bombadil (1st gen) climbs just fine.
On Thursday, January 5, 2017 at 3:43:25 PM UTC-8, John Bokman wrote: > > Bill, your number one is about it. > > I understand that Grant designed the Hillborne to fit many riders within a > given range. I could have chosen a 56 or 60 Sam, as there was nothing in > between. From what I understand, less models were needed because of the > sloping top tube and how it effectively brings the bars up that much > higher, so it can fit more riders. While I realize there are many factors > to what makes a bike feel fast or not so fast (wheels, tires, chain stay > length, etc., take your pick), I am curious about the geometry of the frame > and how it may or may not affect what I consider sluggish climbing. I'm > making no complaints as to the design of the bike, and I understand why > Grant drew this one up the way he did (from what I understand, I could be > wrong). Although I admit that aesthetically I don't like the sloping top > tube, it may not have anything to do with how the bike rides. I guess I was > wondering out loud how others feel about their bikes with 6 degree > upsloping top tubes as relates to climbing. > > On Thursday, January 5, 2017 at 3:19:29 PM UTC-8, Bill Lindsay wrote: >> >> There is a question implied in there, but I'm not quite sure what it is. >> I'll guess at the question: >> >> 1. "If I hypothetically had a frame builder cut the top tube out of my >> Hillborne frame, and replace it with an identical top tube (same diameter, >> wall thickness) that was level, leaving my fit identical, would my bike >> climb better?" >> >> If that's the question, then my answer is: No. >> >> Stated in the reverse: >> >> 2. "If I hypothetically took a "good climbing bike" with a level top >> tube, and had a frame builder remove the top tube and replace it with an >> identical 6-degree sloping top tube, leaving my fit the same, would that >> bike become a sluggish climber?" >> >> If that's the question, then my answer is: No. >> >> Guessing at another question: >> >> 3. "I feel my Hillborne is a sluggish climber. Do you think I'm wrong >> to feel that?" >> >> If that's the question, then my answer is: No, you are entitled to feel >> whatever you want to feel about your bike or anybody's bike. >> >> Final guess at the question: >> >> 4. "I suspect that the Hillborne is a categorically poor climber, for >> every rider and every possible setup. I suspect the fatal flaw is the top >> tube slope. Do you agree?" >> >> If that's the question, then my answer is: No, I do not agree. Some >> riders (me included) feel that their Hillborne is not a sluggish climber. >> >> and the (really final!) followup: >> >> 4.1. "If my Hillborne is a sluggish climber, and if it's not because of >> the sloping TT, then what should I change to "fix" my Hillborne?" >> >> If that's the question, then my answer is: "it depends. Let's have a >> look at it" >> >> Bill Lindsay >> El Cerrito, CA >> >> >> >> On Thursday, January 5, 2017 at 2:29:16 PM UTC-8, John Bokman wrote: >>> >>> I'm trying to discern if there's any real (not imagined) physical >>> properties of the upsloping top tube on my 2009 Sam that would make it a >>> sluggish climber. I've never cared for the aesthetics of the sloped frame, >>> so I'm thinking it could be in my head. But the truth is, I've always felt >>> the bike is sluggish climbing, and I'm curious what other's think. Granted, >>> tires make a big difference, but regardless of tires and tire pressures >>> (I've used many variants), the result is the same for me: sluggish >>> climbing. Whatever you do, please don't tell me it's the motor! >>> >>> >>> >> -- 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-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
