 Extended
Seat Tube
There is currently a trend to have what is called an extended
seat tube on your bike. Here we explain the pros and cons of this system and
what makes RUEGAMER bikes unique in this area.
The extended seat tube is basically just that. The seat
tube has been extended just about all the way up to your saddle. Some manufacturers
use a molded tube with a specially shaped clamp and others use a specially shaped
seat post. The benefits of this system is that if it is done properly you will
shave some weight off the bike in a good place to do so, above the horizontal center
of balance on the bike. This will help with the overall feel of the handling when
in tight corners and when out of the saddle. Another benefit is that the seat tube
is generally thinner than a seat post because it does not need to be overbuilt
to compensate for the clamping forces of the seat clamp. Having a thinner tube
will do two things here, it is your overall weight reduction and it will make the
bike ride a little smoother because the thinner wall of the seat tube will absorb
high frequency vibration better. Oh, and it also looks cool.
The drawbacks of this
kind of system are fairly major. First off, when a rider crashes the majority of
the time their handle bar, seat and pedals take the impact. Have you ever crashed
or saw some one crash and their saddle had been turned? Well, with a molded seat
tube and shaped set post this little common incident can turn into a very major
thing as the result of the seat not being able to turn because of the shaping involved.
Typically we have seen this simply split the seat tube right down the middle or
snap off. Not very cool! Fortunately for you, RUEGAMER bikes have designed their
extended post with this in mind. We still utilize a traditional round seat post
and seat clamp at the very top of the mast, that way it will still be able to turn
if struck and it is much easier to find just the right position with the variety
of seat post setbacks available out on the market.
The other drawback is when it
comes time to travel with your bike. If you are super small you will have no problem
but those who are average or larger will find it hard to find a case or a box that
will be tall enough to fit the bike in!
So please keep these things in mind when
thinking of the extended seat tube! | 