Re: 1993(?) Brodie Expresso here we go!
I've been trying to confirm what type of fork this frame was designed for, rigid or suspension, with the help of Paul Brodie. Here is a transcript of a couple back and forth emails:
PB: "2503 is an 18" espresso, completed June 12, 1993. There is no note of who it was sold to. We often sold frames only, so I cannot say if it was spec'd with a Gatorblade."
Me: "That’s great, thanks Paul! Just to clarify though, was the geometry of the 1993 Brodies designed for use with rigid forks or for suspension forks with short travel? It makes a difference to me in terms of fork choice for the build."
PB: "I have looked through all my serial number notes several times, and there is nothing that says where the suspension geometry started. It probably was sometime around 1993, but I cannot say exactly when, or what serial number. Sorry."
Me: "Interesting Paul, I really appreciate your looking.
Perhaps I can figure it out by putting suspension forks on the frame and measuring the angles. If they match the geometry of the bikes of that year, could I assume that the frame was designed for suspension forks (say 63mm travel)? In the 1994 catalog there is a picture of the Expresso with the Rock Shox I have on the frame now. I believe the geometry in 1994 was 71/73.5. Was it also these angles in 1993? Or perhaps it was a moving target and there were subtle changes to the geometry as you went along, and it is impossible to pin down a timeline...
Thanks for your thoughts. I won’t bother you with this stream of thought further. I know you have more important stuff to put your mind to."
PB: "Angles were 70.5 / 74, and then on frame #2712 they changed to 71.2 / 74. After that there were references to "original geometry" for some of the builds, but I don't know of that meant going back to the 70.5 degree head angle, or whether that meant non-suspension geometry. Yes, put some forks on and check the head tube angle. That's what I would suggest!"
Me: "Thanks Paul that’s great info!
I measured the angles (with my cell phone app, so who knows how accurate that really is), and it showed roughly 70/73 with the short travel Rock Shox on there. That makes me think that Expresso frame 2503 was designed with rigid forks in mind. Total guesstimate of course..."
I sure did appreciate Paul's humouring me with these questions, because really, what does it matter? But I wanted to know, as best as I could.
So my best guess is that mid 1993 frames were still being designed for and spec'ed with Gatorblades in mind. Having said that I still may stick with a short travel suspension fork because I like the idea of relaxing the angles a hair. But the proof will be in the ride...
