Recommendations on comfy Cyclocross frame?

DougA said:

I am looking for a frame to update my Rocky Mountain Rail frame that
will give me more comfort. I am looking at the Bianchi Cross
Concept and the Ridley Supercross frames.

Any ideas or feedback?

A frame is a frame is a frame when it comes to "comfort" meaning
"vertical compliance." Frames don't have vertical compliance of any
meaningful amplitude. Longer chainstays have some benefit in this
regard for purely geometrical reasons. You'd probably save yourself
some money with a more comfortable saddle or perhaps a suspension
seatpost, or bigger tires at lower pressure.

Both of these frames have carbon fork and carbon rear stays and are made
from Scandium rather than Alum. Are you saying that these are not going to
give a better ride than the current all Alum frame?

"Tim McNamara" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

DougA said:

I am looking for a frame to update my Rocky Mountain Rail frame that
will give me more comfort. I am looking at the Bianchi Cross
Concept and the Ridley Supercross frames.

Any ideas or feedback?

A frame is a frame is a frame when it comes to "comfort" meaning
"vertical compliance." Frames don't have vertical compliance of any
meaningful amplitude. Longer chainstays have some benefit in this
regard for purely geometrical reasons. You'd probably save yourself
some money with a more comfortable saddle or perhaps a suspension
seatpost, or bigger tires at lower pressure.

"DougA" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<OSz6d.559962$gE.502809@pd7tw3no>...

Quoted message said:

Both of these frames have carbon fork and carbon rear stays and are made
from Scandium rather than Alum. Are you saying that these are not going to
give a better ride than the current all Alum frame?

"Tim McNamara" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

DougA said:

I am looking for a frame to update my Rocky Mountain Rail frame that
will give me more comfort. I am looking at the Bianchi Cross
Concept and the Ridley Supercross frames.

Any ideas or feedback?

A frame is a frame is a frame when it comes to "comfort" meaning
"vertical compliance." Frames don't have vertical compliance of any
meaningful amplitude. Longer chainstays have some benefit in this
regard for purely geometrical reasons. You'd probably save yourself
some money with a more comfortable saddle or perhaps a suspension
seatpost, or bigger tires at lower pressure.

Not to speak for Tim, but yes, I'll say it. Urban myth
notwithstanding, there's plenty of evidence to show that the vast
majority of all 'shock absorption' in a bike comes from the tires,
wheels, saddle, and handlebars. Mostly the tires. The frames
contribution is negligible.

I'm concerned about comfort on a 'cross bike, too. I tried the
'bigger tire/lower pressure' approach recently and have to say it made
a huge difference. If you're not running 35's yet, get some and run
'em at the lowest pressure you can get away with for your weight
(without risk of pinch-flatting).

I bet your results will mirror mine. It saved me over $2000, since I
didn't need to buy that Moots YBB after all.

S.

"Scott Hendricks" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"DougA" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:<OSz6d.559962$gE.502809@pd7tw3no>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Both of these frames have carbon fork and carbon rear stays and are made
from Scandium rather than Alum. Are you saying that these are not going

to

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

give a better ride than the current all Alum frame?

"Tim McNamara" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"DougA" <[email hidden]> writes:

> I am looking for a frame to update my Rocky Mountain Rail frame that
> will give me more comfort. I am looking at the Bianchi Cross
> Concept and the Ridley Supercross frames.
>
> Any ideas or feedback?

A frame is a frame is a frame when it comes to "comfort" meaning
"vertical compliance." Frames don't have vertical compliance of any
meaningful amplitude. Longer chainstays have some benefit in this
regard for purely geometrical reasons. You'd probably save yourself
some money with a more comfortable saddle or perhaps a suspension
seatpost, or bigger tires at lower pressure.

Not to speak for Tim, but yes, I'll say it. Urban myth
notwithstanding, there's plenty of evidence to show that the vast
majority of all 'shock absorption' in a bike comes from the tires,
wheels, saddle, and handlebars. Mostly the tires. The frames
contribution is negligible.

I'm concerned about comfort on a 'cross bike, too. I tried the
'bigger tire/lower pressure' approach recently and have to say it made
a huge difference. If you're not running 35's yet, get some and run
'em at the lowest pressure you can get away with for your weight
(without risk of pinch-flatting).

I bet your results will mirror mine. It saved me over $2000, since I
didn't need to buy that Moots YBB after all.

S.

I still want the speed of a road bike. I have to race every mtn/road bike
on the way to work and must have maximum performance--120 psi 25c tires. I
run the Ksyrium SL wheels also.

Tim McNamara said:

DougA said:

I am looking for a frame to update my Rocky Mountain Rail frame that
will give me more comfort. I am looking at the Bianchi Cross
Concept and the Ridley Supercross frames.

Any ideas or feedback?

A frame is a frame is a frame when it comes to "comfort" meaning
"vertical compliance." Frames don't have vertical compliance of any
meaningful amplitude. Longer chainstays have some benefit in this
regard for purely geometrical reasons. You'd probably save yourself
some money with a more comfortable saddle or perhaps a suspension
seatpost, or bigger tires at lower pressure.

Was it Sheldon who mentioned that once upon a time there were springs under the
saddle where they'd do some good. Makes sense to me.

Ron

Doug-<< Both of these frames have carbon fork and carbon rear stays and are
made
from Scandium rather than Alum. Are you saying that these are not going to
give a better ride than the current all Alum frame? >><BR><BR>

Carbon forks and rear ends on a scamdium cross frame? Whatever for(oh yes, for
'selling'😉.

Scamdium and non compressable carbon seat stays are not more comfy.

Peter Chisholm
Vecchio's Bicicletteria
1833 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535
http://www.vecchios.com
"Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

douga-<< I am looking for a frame to update my Rocky Mountain Rail frame that
will
give me more comfort. >><BR><BR>

Get a bike fit before you purchase a frameset. Use bigger tires with adequate
air pressure.
Be cycling fit and don't under or over train.

gots nuthin to do with frame material.

Peter Chisholm
Vecchio's Bicicletteria
1833 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535
http://www.vecchios.com
"Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

RonSonic said:

Was it Sheldon who mentioned that once upon a time there were springs under
the saddle where they'd do some good. Makes sense to me.

Brooks still make a number of sprung saddles; we found a B.67 improved the
lot of the stoker enormously on our tandem.
--
David Damerell <[email hidden]> flcl?