Talk:Bicycle frame

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Contents 1 Image added to frame size section 2 Minor edit of Aluminum section 3 Merged in material from bicycle frame construction 4 Triangle vs. trapezoid 5 frames vs. geometries? 6 from seat stay 7 Frame geometry specification 8 Focus on racing bicycles 9 Brazing v. Welding

[edit] Image added to frame size section

I added the diagram of common bicycle measurements because these are terms that abound bikeswaps and ebay's bikes for sale, etc. I hope that this is not seen as redundant as the other diagram addresses actual parts and this one addresses accurate measurements. --Circlemaker 06:16, 04 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Minor edit of Aluminum section

I added the bit about alloying extends the fatigue life to many years. The original text made it sound like aluminum frames will just break on you. While this may happen, it usually takes quite a few years of intense riding. I still see Cannondale CAAD 3 frames on the road. Comatose51 02:45, 29 August 2005 (UTC)

Should bicycle frame construction be merged into this? --Christopherlin 02:48, 13 Nov 2004 (UTC)

[edit] Merged in material from bicycle frame construction

Whew. That took a while.

Could anybody add in material about geometries (road vs. comfort vs. hybrid vs. mountain) or any historical information? --Christopherlin 06:24, 17 Nov 2004 (UTC)

[edit] Triangle vs. trapezoid

195.179.206.165 notes that the front/main "triangle" is technically not one, as the top and down tubes don't intersect. However, most references I've seen call it the triangle nonetheless. Thoughts? --Christopherlin 03:38, 24 Feb 2005 (UTC)

Triangle. --Kit transue 21:01, 10 Apr 2005 (UTC)

Triangle as well, if one is to go on what The UCI has to say, in rule 1.3.020, "the frame of the bicycle shall be of a traditional pattern, i.e. built around a main triangle." even though their later definition of the main triangle clearly leaves room from forming of a trapezoid. see http://www.uci.ch/imgArchive/Rules/1gene-E.pdf --Chinakow 05:51, 21 April 2006 (UTC)

[edit] frames vs. geometries?

Suggest the geometry discussion be moved more to the cycle types category, and it be made more clear that the various frame components talked about here (or scheduled to be moved into this article) are based on the tubing-constructed safety bicycle.

I guess it seems that the article presumes the only frame is a safety frame, despite efforts to make it more inclusive. --Kit transue 20:05, 25 Mar 2005 (UTC)

I'm all for being more inclusive. Feel free to add mentions of less common frame types. The safety bicycle is the predominant one today, of course, so it does get the most mention.

I noticed that you made an article for Mixtie, which is but briefly covered in the main article here. The main article size isn't too big right now. I think that things about geometry should stay here. Duplication/expansion within each cycle type article would be good.

The reason I put merge notices on the various tubes is because of the short length of those articles, with little room for expansion as individual articles. Going to clarify the focus of the article, similar to the end of the first paragraph of mountain biking in a sec. --Christopherlin 21:23, 25 Mar 2005 (UTC)

The tube argument makes lots of sense. Still in favor of putting detailed descriptions of the different frame types in the cycle types category; the mixtie is an example of why I think it's wise to have those elsewhere. The mixtie isn't described here at all--yeah, it's got a lower standover height, but it achieves it in a way that puts less stress on the seat tube than the open frame described here. I find those details interesting, but fear putting all them in would detract from the readability of this article. --Kit transue 21:01, 10 Apr 2005 (UTC)

What do folks think about detailing the effects the geometry variables have on the performance/utility of the bike? Something like:

Bottom bracket height: determines clearance of pedals and center of gravity. High BB height for fixed gears and mountain bikes, lower BB for touring, road, etc.

Standover height: the distance between the top tube and ground. Lower for moutain bikes where you might need to step on uneven terrain, lower still for convenience mounting the bicycle (clothing, touring). Higher moves the frame elements further apart to make the frame stiffer.

Head tube angle: steep for livelier steering, shallow for self-centering. (surely there's something about camber somewhere.)

Wheelbase: long for touring to keep racks out of the way, move the CG forward, allow for more water bottles :-) Long to reduce pitching over uneven surfaces. Short to increase responsiveness.

Suspension: heavier multi-link for controlling bob, lighter single pivot for long travel, simplicity, and weight, none for....

and so on, covering riding position and the like.

That would lay the groundwork for better understanding the cycle types.... --Kit transue 21:01, 10 Apr 2005 (UTC)

[edit] from seat stay

A Single seat stay refers to seat stays which merge onto one section before joining the front triangle of the bicycle, thus meeting at a single point. A dual seat stay refers to seat stays which meet the front triangle of the bicycle at two separate points, usually side-by-side.

[edit] Frame geometry specification

In addition to saddle height, reach, etc., what about bottom bracket height and wheelbase? I don't know if the latter is spec'd as axle-to-axle, tire contact-to-contact, or bottom bracket-to-axle. Perhaps someone more knowledgeable could fill in here if these are useful? --Kit transue 21:01, 10 Apr 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Focus on racing bicycles

I have some issues with the pictures used on this article. It seems to me that judging just by the photographs, road/racing bicycles are over-represented. Maybe use more Utiliy or MTB type bike photographs more, since the former vastly outnumber racing/road bikes, anywhere in the world except perhaps in North America. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Chicbicyclist (talk • contribs) .

Yeah, all the other types of bicycles and cycling are underrepresented. Perhaps you'd like to help out with what you know. --Christopherlin 02:58, 20 April 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Brazing v. Welding

They are two different processes. This should be corrected in the article. Unfortunately, I do not feel that my writing skills and knowledge of the processes of brazing and welding are enough to do the rewrite justice.