Guinessisgoodforyou
rBotM Winner
Clearance for the wheel I believe.
"The rear of the seat tube has a vertical indent to allow rear wheel to come forward to create shorter wheelbase."On the topic of French frames, here's an interesting looking Frenchie.
What on Earth has happened to the seat tube?! Is it even safe to ride like this?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/29532319...B5b4rmeOXbKu3JqFg0c2m+6Q0=|tkp:Bk9SR67g0YOLYQ
Thankfully, I already have a columbus-tubed summer bike frameset to build up next year, so I can find inner strength to resist buying another French bike.
Great thread, how could i missed it? Late to the party, but better late than never.As a certified Surly fanboy that religiously subscribe to Surlyism and alcoholism, a perfect equilibrium, I agree with you. The Surly frames are versatile, sturdy and my favourite thing about is the wide stays. My Cross Check can accommodate a 2.1, but as I'm a lard arse, I stick to 2.0's because larger might rub when I put some torque down. I love how easily a Surly can be transformed into something completely different, and it's got delicious affordable standards, no weird threads, no weird sized holes, no madness.
That said they're overpriced. The only selling point they really have is the versatility and the fact that they've got a reputation as being "bombproof", which let's face it.. Any overbuilt 4130 frame is bombproof.. Now I have experienced difference in ride quality from year to year in Surly frames, and I think they're quite compliant and flexy in the right ways - which suggests that despite the tubeset being bog standard, they know how to engineer a frame, and they don't go overboard with crazy geometries, making them super capable for just about anything. They're classic steel providers to a world that's gone nuts. And they love to talk about alcohol, which is a selling point.
And on to your point, about cheap second hand Surly frames - in Europe they're usually incredibly overpriced because they're seen as kind of exotic. I myself have spent a fortune on my 3 Surly's, and I wouldn't trade them for the world (I wouldn't be able to live it down either, the fecking audacity of a certified Surly fanboy to ditch his fix). But they're not a great budget option here. A 90's steel trekking/touring bike thingymabob would be a better candidate. Probably as solid as Surly But they won't look as cool as me carrying my Surly up a hill when my legs give in.
What is a "trekking bike"?Great thread, how could i missed it? Late to the party, but better late than never.
I was facing the same questions, as a gravel rider, that 42 is just not wide enough. Was riding an On One ti cyclocross/gravel frame for years, before my retro madness broke out, and many times i just said to myself, it's the perfect bike, only if it would have a little more tire clearance to have 2.0 tires fitted. Gravel handlebars i always disliked, as i wanted an allrounder, from the city to the trails so my choice was a narrow flat bar. I just reinvented the trekking bike, in a rather expensive way.
As a retro fan i started to look after budget solutions to have a bike with more tire clearance and a "28 wheel size, and some decent cromo tubeset. Now i'm a great fan of retro trekkings, but not all of these frames have enough tire clearance. I found a very simple Wheeler for myself, now it has 47 tires, but could take 50 i guess. Very nice in gravel mode, really good frame, although not the lightest, but good quality, for little money. I don't like mudguards.
Also have a Merida, with very good geometry, it has now 40 mm tires, nice light double butted cromo frame, and a good wheelset, really enjoyable offroad.
Surlys really have everything i need, but i'm looking for something rather inexpensive.
Trekking frames are my choice, mtbish geo and tubeset, "28 wheels, 2.0 tires, flat handlebars, and mtb gearing, thats what i need.
The concept of using an old roadbike frame also came to my mind, as some of them offer nice wide tire clearence.
This build here is something very good to see, and the result is really beutyful.
Makes me curious how it rides...