rody
Member
I understand what Bssc is saying Kirk. In the early 90's, when Ti was just coming into it's own, we were forced to build the frame's riding characteristics around what tubing was available. Most often, the early frames were built of .5" to 1.25" straight gauge 3/2.5 tubing, often available in 16' lengths plus drops.
What would normally be a tube for tube swap in dimensions (length, diameter, wall thickness) to copy a steel Yo to a Ti Yo would produce ride characteristics that were starkly different. In order to produce a comparable riding experience, changes in the tubing specs, or "geometry", was necessary. Increase the diameter of the downtube, steepen the head angle, shorten the chainstay, etc...
While the Yo was the platform for the early Merlins, the early Merlins were not simply a YO in Ti, but a carefully crafted frame to mimic the ride characteristics that were so successful.
cheers,
rody
Groovy Cycleworks
What would normally be a tube for tube swap in dimensions (length, diameter, wall thickness) to copy a steel Yo to a Ti Yo would produce ride characteristics that were starkly different. In order to produce a comparable riding experience, changes in the tubing specs, or "geometry", was necessary. Increase the diameter of the downtube, steepen the head angle, shorten the chainstay, etc...
While the Yo was the platform for the early Merlins, the early Merlins were not simply a YO in Ti, but a carefully crafted frame to mimic the ride characteristics that were so successful.
cheers,
rody
Groovy Cycleworks