02-17-2024, 07:46 PM
Early '90s road bike model Slingshot (c. '91). Just curious if anyone has any experience riding this bike. True Temper CroMo frame with Vitus alloy fork. Heavy duty sprung cable as downtube/suspension; flex "bushing" at rear of top tube connecting to seat tube.
I am told the weight was about 25 lbs without pedals so not a very lightweight design even if fit with lower weight components. I guess the spring assy and beefier top tube with the flex joint adds a fair amount of weight compared to a lightweight down tube and top tube design.
Since these were used in an off-road capacity (see mtb versions in following post) it would seem that the design is durable enough, but I would be curious as to how much rotational and lateral flex occurs at that joint, especially during hard climbing/sprinting put of the saddle. With that one joint providing all of the stiffness to the front of the frame, and also being designed to flex in the vertical plane it seems that it would be difficult not to have unintended flex when under heavy load.
I'm not sure if you can ride the bike without the cable (breaks on a ride), or how much flex that joint allows. Can the flex joint hold enough for a "limp home" ride if problems arise? I know the cable design was made to be durable, but what if? Oversized top tube with gusset reinforcement looks pretty heavy duty; more like an mtb than a road bike.
I am told the weight was about 25 lbs without pedals so not a very lightweight design even if fit with lower weight components. I guess the spring assy and beefier top tube with the flex joint adds a fair amount of weight compared to a lightweight down tube and top tube design.
Since these were used in an off-road capacity (see mtb versions in following post) it would seem that the design is durable enough, but I would be curious as to how much rotational and lateral flex occurs at that joint, especially during hard climbing/sprinting put of the saddle. With that one joint providing all of the stiffness to the front of the frame, and also being designed to flex in the vertical plane it seems that it would be difficult not to have unintended flex when under heavy load.
I'm not sure if you can ride the bike without the cable (breaks on a ride), or how much flex that joint allows. Can the flex joint hold enough for a "limp home" ride if problems arise? I know the cable design was made to be durable, but what if? Oversized top tube with gusset reinforcement looks pretty heavy duty; more like an mtb than a road bike.
Take care,
Jesper
"I am become Death, the destroyer of bicycles." NJS
Jesper
"I am become Death, the destroyer of bicycles." NJS