Like a DKS?

[British]

The link below is to a picture of a Strong cyclocross frame. Superficially it has the appearance of a Serotta DKS but without the elastomers. I wonder if it would ride like a DKS?

http://www.strongframes.com/frames_&_pricing/cross/?get=image_gallery&loc=main&content=2&type=gallery&items=0&item=2

Additionally, this frame below seems quite an unusual combination of materials and design. I don't think I've seen such a combination before. The chain stays seem to be alu, but the seat stays look like ti (maybe, or is that 953?) with pivots at the dropouts, AND carbon tubes. Quite a lot going on here.

http://www.strongframes.com/frames_&_pricing/road/?get=image_gallery&loc=main&content=2&type=gallery&items=0&item=0

[Jason E]

I think it is more similar to the arc on the non ST rear equipped carbon bikes. The DKS was quite a bit more then just the curve, those look like beefy stays.

[dave thompson]

The link below is to a picture of a Strong cyclocross frame. Superficially it has the appearance of a Serotta DKS but without the elastomers. I wonder if it would ride like a DKS?

http://www.strongframes.com/frames_&_pricing/cross/?get=image_gallery&loc=main&content=2&type=gallery&items=0&item=2

Additionally, this frame below seems quite an unusual combination of materials and design. I don't think I've seen such a combination before. The chain stays seem to be alu, but the seat stays look like ti (maybe, or is that 953?) with pivots at the dropouts, AND carbon tubes. Quite a lot going on here.

http://www.strongframes.com/frames_&_pricing/road/?get=image_gallery&loc=main&content=2&type=gallery&items=0&item=0
I don't think there is anything, including these Strongs that is quite like the DKS. As near as I can tell the Strong road frame doesn't have pivots at the chain/seat stays joint, they are merely attach points, somewhat like Calfee does.

The elastomers on the DKS control the 'spring' of the seat stays, which IIRC act as rising rate springs under compression. If another bike had a similar set-up, pivots on the chain/seat stay joint but no elastomers, the spring rate would be uncontrolled and not necessarily comfortable. DK's Terraplane feature with its recurved stays acts as a (help me here Dave) as a single rate spring under compression, therefore controlled.

I would posit that bikes like the Strongs, and others with very curved seat stays offer very little, if any, movement in the rear end.

[Ken Robb]

heck, I had a Litespeed with curved seat stays like this one but neither of them has the pivot/elastomer system of the DKS.

[British]

heck, I had a Litespeed with curved seat stays like this one but neither of them has the pivot/elastomer system of the DKS.

I think I recall seeing a picture of a curved Litespeed.

Yes, without pivots I can't see how any degree of mechanical spring can be realised. Therefore, why curve the stays at all? Wouldn't straight ti seat stays afford some natural compliance?

[dave thompson]

I think I recall seeing a picture of a curved Litespeed.

Yes, without pivots I can't see how any degree of mechanical spring can be realised. Therefore, why curve the stays at all? Wouldn't straight ti seat stays afford some natural compliance?
I think a curved seat stay is more a visual thing more than mechanical. I don't see how a straight seat stay could offer any compliance, what with the rear end being a true triangle. I believe the top tube and head tube flex more than anything, offering the compliance.