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| Redshift Sports' ShockStop Seat Post. |
In that article, the author, Dan Bacon, covers a lot of the technical mumbo-jumbo behind the testing and theory behind this idea. I will draw some conclusions from some of that. I will also add my thoughts on why I think this is not the greatest idea, although it does look pretty rad. And as we all know, how a bicycle looks is nine-tenths of why it is good.
But leaving that aside, this bike has several things going on here that would make it a choice I would pass up. But first, there is a historical point that I often refer to when I see a "new" design being proffered up by anyone in the bicycle industry.
Bicycles were the pinnacle of technological advancement in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. The brightest minds worked on bicycle design and the financial horsepower put behind bicycle innovations during this time were on a scale that dwarfed anything else going on then, or maybe even nowadays. Bicycle design was the precursor to the aerospace, automobile, and many other design schools and the science behind what works, or more correctly, what would work, was decided back then. The hold-up for the manufacturers to implement the ideas was a lack of materials technology. The theory was in place, but the way to get it done was not- yet.
Now? Now all these ideas can be done, and because they are so well thought out and backed up by math and science, they often times are better than anything we'd ever come up with now. Almost every time, as a matter of fact. Think about wheel design, or chains. Both things designed in the 19th Century and are basically perfect. They really cannot be out-done by anything else. Not for lack of trying though....
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| From: Bicycle Frame with Angled Strut by Specialized, US publication 20230034772 |
Okay, so specifically I am not really convinced that eliminating a structural member that helps stabilize both horizontal and lateral forces is a great idea. The testing Specialized did also states that, "These modifications advantageously reduce the vertical stiffness of the bicycle while substantially maintaining or reducing to a lesser extent the horizontal (e.g., lateral and/or torsional) stiffness of the bicycle...."
Note: Underlined text is my emphasis.
Typically a bottom bracket area is subject to lateral, horizontal, and torsional forces which can be hard to harness, especially when a rider exerts a lot of force on the pedals at a lower cadence. Say, when climbing, as a for instance. Ever heard a front derailleur rub a chain on climbs but it stops when you reduce pedal pressure and spin more? That's an example of torsional forces at work there. What is happening in space is that your bottom bracket is actually "wobbling". It isn't just moving side-to-side, or up and down in a perfect plane, but it is more of an oscillation, really. This is one reason why elevated chain stay designs have a hard time not breaking, or causing a rear wheel to seem to wobble under power. It isn't that the wheel is wobbling, it is the bottom bracket and frame oscillating.
So, I see a big resemblance to an elevated chain stay design here, and I cannot help but think that oscillation and possibly rear wheel rub on the chain stays won't be an issue here.
Another thing- That drop out at the seat stay is going to want to become a pivot. There will be a LOT of stress there. Unless Specialized has beefed that up a LOT, I see issues there with breakage and/or too much flex. A through axle will help here, but that won't cure the problem.
And what about a frame bag with water bottles? Practicality of a full front triangle is short-circuited with this design.
Of course- you front derailleur folks can just look elsewhere. Or.... Maybe this is a Classified rear IGH bike? May as well throw even more proprietary stuff into the mix! Ha!
My Conclusion: So, this is a novelty bike. It'll sell - if they actually produce it - because "different" and because of "looks cool", and hopefully issues with actual practicality and longevity of service won't interrupt the fashion show here. Vertical compliance will be the story that will be sold on this design, but again- Why have a proprietary design that costs a lot of money, is less practical, and maybe is not as structurally as efficient as a double-diamond frame is when you can just buy a suspension seat post?
I know....those are not "cool" and they don't look good, right? Gotcha....
4 comments:
Greets GT, I saw a new dog design the other day; the St. Bernard-a-doodle.
@Skidmark - Checked in to this breed. Seems to have been around a while. I wouldn't be too concerned should I run across one in the country. The breed isn't known for aggressive behavior. But they can be large! Interesting how poodles are cross-bred with about every dog imaginable.
It amuses me how for decades now we've heard how carbon layup lets's them give us compliance where we need it, but all we've ever ended up with is stiffer, harsher bikes.
@Barry - Well yes....and no. I mean, look at seatposts, as an example. You can get varying amounts of flex there, and forks as well seem to be either way too stiff, or just stiff, so obviously there is something to the "tunability" thing.
Yes, you don't see it often on bicycle framess, but follow anyone riding a Carbon Warbird and watch the seat stays. There is something going on there.
I think this Specialized concept has a lot more to do with "travel" in the passive sense then it does with "compliance", although the line between the two is blurry and in some folks minds the two terms are interchangeable.
We ended up with stiffer harsher bikes overall, you are right. I think this is because of two things: One: Lawyers and Liability. It's easier to make the carbon thing last if it is stronger and stiffer so there are less chances for recalls and warranty claims, not to mention avoiding litigation. Two: Racers. The Pro/Elite athlete often determines upper-range model's stiffness characteristics because marketing can sell racing, winning, and hero worship a lot easier than they can sell "This rides so smooth for the Joe's and Jane's". It isn't a flashy, sexy story, so racing gets all the focus and we seem to think riding what racers use is so cool that we'll give up demanding that our bicycles be practical, comfortable, and versatile.
Who cares if you cannot sit upright more, put a rack on it, or a kickstand? This is what "PRO RACER GUY" won that famous gravel race on!
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