Hey,
We're diving head first into the 2011 line of bikes. And one of the things I have on the table of possible changes is putting a MUCH more laid back seat tube angle on our 24" Quad Loop, 26" OM Flyer, 26" Quad Loop, and 29" Big Ripper. We are currently have a 73 degree seat tube angle on all of the these bikes. But what do you think of changing some to 70 degrees or even 68 degrees?

It's just a thought at this stage. And I've never really heard anyone complain about the geo. But I figured I throw it out to you guys first. Any & all feedback is appreciated. I mainly am looking for feedback from guys who have these bikes now from the last couple of years.

Thanks.

Todd, Your buddy from Main street, Starbucks circa 1997 (Huffy days), chiming in:

I think it's a good opportunity to gain some always welcome leg room. I'm not certain just how much the look of the frames would be affected by a radically laid back seat tube. We can look back to some of the older Redlines and see what looks like some pretty ungainly proportions.

Just keep the proportions good and lay it back as far as you dare. It's gotta look good. Nothing too radical.


Also, you guys need to be looking into doing an STR-1 replica frame and fork set.. - Yeah, I'm full of good ideas.

Paint them brown and then throw them down the hall. - Done!

If I remember correctly back at the 2006 Christmas Classic, Shannon Williams and myself were talking to Todd about doing a STR1 retro, but Todd indicated that there were to many break points on the STR1.

I could be wrong on that, but I don't think so.

Firemans Texas Cruzers have 66-degree seat angles. Best riding bikes on earth, period.

2 words Todd.

RETRO FLOVAL!

I think this should have been done WAY before 26" PK's and 26" Quads.

Anyway, as far as the seat tube angle goes, I like 'em where they are at. I know most look at the retro bikes as "cruising around" bikes. But some of us do like putting them thru their paces at the track and at the park.

How does a very relaxed seattube effect the way a bike handles? Kinda curious since most talk is about headtube angle and TT and chainstay length.

Do the new Mustangs or Camaros look just like the old ones? Do they create the same passion and aren't they actually way better?


Todd, Let it be. I want mine thrown down a wooden staircase about 5-6 times.

Patina baby!

Just my 2 cents. Keep the seat angles the same or not too relaxed and make some cro-mo lay-back seat posts. Maybe one with a brace. I love my 08 OM Flyer.

What would be nice is a 24" Quadangle with a "short guy" friendly top tube length.

I say yes! for sure for the 29" bikes... and the 26" bikes!
I wouldn't go as far as the Fireman's Bike... I have one... and a big ripper, but a "little" more laid back would be sweet. And one vote for a ball-burnished 2011 Big Ripper.

I say dump it way the hell back... if you want to ride aggro, you'll be standing up anyways.

As a owner of every new cruiser model I think the laid back ST angle would be great. As much as I want to thrash on the bike the majority of riding is sitting down cruizin. Layem back some

YES! 1" 4130 microadjust seat posts. You could corner the market as they do not exist.

A steep HTA coupled with a slack STA and short chainstays can make a bike carve turns like it's on rails. You get quick steering from the steeper front end, plus the rider's weight is further back over the rear wheel. Not only does this lighten the front (making steering and wheelies easier), but rear-wheel traction is improved so the power transfer feels more immediate. Plus, with the laid-back ST you get a longer top tube length and better leg extension without jacking the seatpost up to the sky, both of which are good for adult-sized riders. Of course, a lot of a bike's handling characteristics are also influenced by BB drop, fork rake and trail, etc., so looking at only one geometric feature in isolation seldom tells you the whole story. But "modern" cruiser geometry is almost the same as mountain bikes (71/72 or thereabouts) and to me, handle in a nicely "neutral" but overall generic way.

I support the layback seatposts idea. I use my OM Flyer as a commuter and being a tad bit farther back would help with hills/speed. It would look awesome also

My vote is to kick it back to a 70. Never liked full laid-back seat posts. One of the only parts that did not hold up well for me. However, offering an offset post, similar to a Dyno drain pipe post of yesteryear, might be the solution to keeping the frame usuable for the short guys, but creating more space for the lanky fellows. If you are a guy who needs a 66 degree ST angle and a full laid-back post with your 22" TT, maybe you should have learned to handle the ball better and made it to the NBA, then you'd have the cash to have frames made however you want. Or maybe you secretly want a road bike