Re: unabashed plug, Crumpton

Ryan Cousineau wrote:
>
>  Chalo <chalo.col...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> >
> >
>http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1137960420?bctid=3D1539=
....
> >
> >  I mean, can't someone buy a plastic road bike
> > basically indistinguishable from that one just about anywhere for a
> > whole lot less money?
>
> But the Crumpton SL is stiff, yet compliant. The Seven was stiffer, but
> not as compliant.
>
> Holy moly. I hadn't watched the video before I wrote this. At 1:26 on
> the video, the reviewer talks about how the frame has the stiffness of a
> race bike, but the comfort of a "plush" (?) bike.
>
> I thought we were only joking here when we accused Bicycling of doing
> that.
>
> Functionally, I think the mass-produced bikes (pick one) are similar,
> but the reviewer also praises its aesthetic qualities, and I can't find
> hi-res enough photos to comment either way.
>
> I'm pretty uninterested in the aesthetics of bicycles that are otherwise
> functional, but it's a legitimate differentiation.

Here's an article with nice detail shots of teh Crumpz0rz:

http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/?pg=3Dfullstory&id=3D3956
http://64.233.169.104/search?q=3Dcache:bIfdLRij92MJ:www.pezcyclingnews.com

It reminds me of a fancy bowling ball or accordion.  Here are some of
the highlights of the accompanying review:

"A marked contrast is in the seat tube, and that makes perfect sense,
as the tube it=92s self performs a bit different job than the others=85
You=92ll notice a spiral pattern and it=92s a thickness that will give
some stability against bending (different than twisting), but also do
a good job of absorbing vibration."

"All of the joints are minimal=85 And all are wrapped with not just
size, but function in mind, a bit like wrapping an ankle for a
s****ting event (to keep it from twisting to the sides but allow
freedom of movement vertically. Meaning the wrap will resist twist
more, but allow for some vertical compliance. Roughly translated,
that=92s stiff for power, but soft for ride=85"

"The Crumpton is stiff enough to cost you no power loss. The
acceleration is what you would expect from a very light very stiff
bike. The road holding during rougher surface turns is extremely
impressive as the frame and fork will flex well enough to not cause
the tires to skip and chatter the way some of the overly stiff newer
bikes can."

"...the twist control (providing the stiffness) is, to some degree,
done in a way that doesn=92t prevent some of the bounce that is lacking
in some carbon bikes today."

I'm sure it comes equipped with a saddle that is hard and narrow for
austerity yet soft and wide for comfort, spokes that are short
radially while remaining remarkably long from end to end, and bar tape
that is wrapped counterclockwise without sacrificing its traditional
clockwise-wrapped qualities.

Chalo