An Independent Abomination

[downtube42]

Historically, low quality steel needed additional strength, particularly on taller frames. Over time, double top tubes became associated with strength. Even as the quality of steel made the design unnecessary, the image of strength persisted. Eventually it became retro cool, at least to some beholders.

[Mark McM]

Originally Posted by downtube42

Historically, low quality steel needed additional strength, particularly on taller frames. Over time, double top tubes became associated with strength. Even as the quality of steel made the design unnecessary, the image of strength persisted. Eventually it became retro cool, at least to some beholders.

Better quality and stronger steel alloys doesn't always mean that double top tubes aren't still advantage. Many large frames are prone to shimmy, and a tendency to shimmy can be improved by increasing frame stiffness. But using a stronger steel to make a tube doesn't change its stiffness. Double top tubes does increase frame stiffness, and therefore can decrease the tendency to shimmy.

[notlance]

Abomination^N

[bironi]

Originally Posted by notlance

Abomination^N

A friend showed me this on his phone a couple days back, but on the small screen I did not notice the nicely crafted ridiculous stem. It does match the overall aesthetic.
And it's a single speed or fixed?
There's too much going on here.

[Louis]

Originally Posted by bironi

There's too much going on here.

The neon yellow clipless pedals are truly over-the-top.

Swap them out for some Lyotard pedals and Christophe toe clips, and it would be well on it's way to nutty, but nice.

[RoosterCogset]

If you're going to do 2 top tubes, just get rid of the downtube

[CBaron]

As a former custom frame builder, I say let the buyer do (pretty much?) whatever he would like. There's much of it that is not my style but I also didn't pay for it. That said, the thing I do find sad is that it's a Ti frame fully covered in paint. That's something I've never quite understood.

Cheers,
CJB