Comments on: Raleigh 2009 Mojave 29″er: Sneak Peek Update

By: PJBAZ

PJBAZ — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 03:01:58 +0000

The bent downtube setup seems inspired from the GT Performer freestyle bikes which debuted in late 1984. They did it for brake caliper clearance when spinning the bars around.

BUT, everything I’ve read lately said it does make the junction stronger.

By: Kristopher Robbins

Kristopher Robbins — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 22:54:17 +0000

I am impressed with the setup. I like the back angles on the frame. Nice and tight for someone with big feet like me who twists them around too much. Still sticking to my 29er Cannondale Caffeine though. Won my heart this past triathlon season with it.

By: Desert9r

Desert9r — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 20:11:44 +0000

IM excited to see this quality in a sub-$1k 29er, But it just seems like another 29er

By: Guitar Ted

Guitar Ted — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 12:07:38 +0000

megalow maniac: I am thinking it serves both purposes. Trek product designers told us that it aligns the tube with the frontal impact forces better, (the bent down tube, that is) and is actually stronger at the head tube/down tube junction than a traditional angled and mitered tube connection. I suspect other bicycle companies are in line with that thinking now as well.

Obviously, it also has the “side” benefit of clearing fork crown control knobs. Which came first, the chicken or the egg, I am not sure, but I suspect that fork crown clearance and short head tubes have a lot to do with it.

By: megalow maniac

megalow maniac — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 11:22:46 +0000

the bent downtube seems to become more and more popular with 29er specific frames. I own two Niner frames and still wonder if this feature increases the frame’s stiffness – as claimend – or is for fork crown clearance purposes only.