Frame Geometry

[Sharky]

An other thread was talking about "Racing Geometry" and I recalled this old photo of my dad.
Look at how "relaxed" the forks and seat tube were and look closely at the seat post. To compensate for the relaxed seat angle, they had fast forward adjustable seat posts, to get closer to the BB.

I doubt if he had more than one bike and he would have toured and raced on it.
Circa 1935 - 1938

Should have posted it my (Dad's) bike in front of a gate as well!

 

[biggs682]

@Sharky thats a wicked picture loving the cycling shoes

 

[roadrash]

what a brill photo to have

 

[Yellow Saddle]

Nice.

No doubt that style of bike and seatpost will make it back soon. Post-rationalised for some yet-to-be-invented advantage.

It always amazes me what people managed to do with what they have, way back. I recently read a book on Mallory's Everest climb and was intrigued by his clothing - woolen jacket with buttons and a lapel, welted shoes etc etc. Nowadays we can't go for a ride without the right geometry, technical clothing, gadgets to record endless data, fancy drinks, specially-formulated this and that and bikes with zillions of gears.

Whilst I enjoy and marvel in progress, I lament our slavery to it.

 

[tom73]

what a brill photo to have

How true makes me think it's time I went and had a dig around. I'm sure i've got one too.

 

[pawl]

When I first started club cyclin in1956 we were still wearing that type of clothing.

Oil skin capes One do it all bike.I had a pair of what I think was made of whipcord material.

Happy days.

 

[raleighnut]

This thing is actually very stable, the total opposite of the 'old style' frame but really pleasant to ride (well for a couple of hours, you wouldn't want to tour on it)

BTW no comments about the light mount above the bars, I used to ride this after work and it could get dark.

 

[MichaelW2]

It always amazes me what people managed to do with what they have, way back. I recently read a book on Mallory's Everest climb and was intrigued by his clothing - woolen jacket with buttons and a lapel, welted shoes etc etc. QUOTE]

Most of that gear was Saville Row finest quality and reproductions tested recently on Everest performed very well. The big breakthrough in Everest climbing gear was synthetic rope, oxygen breather and boots. They realized that the boots had to take themselves up and down the mountain only once. They didn't need to last for many seasons of Alpine climbing so cut them down ruthlessly so they would just about last for the trip. ]

 

[MichaelW2]

When the seat tube is slack you can use an inline post to bring the saddle forward to a comfortable position. When it is very steep you use one with more layback. Seat tube angle is less important for fit now that we have a wide selection of seatpost styles.

 

[pawl]

An other thread was talking about "Racing Geometry" and I recalled this old photo of my dad.
Look at how "relaxed" the forks and seat tube were and look closely at the seat post. To compensate for the relaxed seat angle, they had fast forward adjustable seat posts, to get closer to the BB.

I doubt if he had more than one bike and he would have toured and raced on it.
Circa 1935 - 1938

Should have posted it my (Dad's) bike in front of a gate as well!

View attachment 483826

That’s what I call a proper cyclists

 

[Sharky]

What makes me sad when I see pictures of my Dad like that, is that he had a love of cycling and that picture was taken in the late 30's. By 1940, when he was 20, he was called up and for the following 4 years was stationed in India without a bike. When he came back, he resumed his love of cycling and resumed racing until about 1953, by which time me and my brother were born. I think he must have found it a struggle to keep a family, resume working and club riding declined. He did keep cycling until a couple of weeks before he passed away, when he was 73, but mostly as a means of transport to work. He did get some leisure riding in after his retirement and did join in with a couple of local cycling groups.

 

[GuyBoden]

Racing geometry, I thought it usually meant having a shorter length between the front and rear axles or have things changed.

Obviously, a more relaxed geometry has a longer length as in your great picture.

 

[Sharky]

Racing geometry, I thought it usually meant having a shorter length between the front and rear axles or have things changed.

Obviously, a more relaxed geometry has a longer length as in your great picture.

You're right, a shorter wheelbase does make for a more responsive bike and supposedly climbs better. After the war, my dad had a Saxon, which had a split seat tube, allowing the rear wheel to be much more forward. Did have a photo of it somewhere, but can't find it now.