• http://twitter.com/rossmevans Ross Evans

    Looks like it’s an early racing bike – or at least a spin-off on a racing model with the rear wheel tucked into the seat tube….very cool!

  • http://profiles.google.com/asm826 ASM 826

    The purpose of the paired seat tubes was to permit the the rear wheel to be mounted so that the tire went between them. This allowed the wheelbase to be shortened, making the chainstays shorter and changing the frame geometry. Coupled with angle of the head tube and a minimal rake of the fork, it could make a frame wheelbase shorter. Everything else being equal, a shorter wheelbase would make the frame stiffer.

    • BeaterRezQ

      Perhaps your eyes see something that mine don’t, but that rear wheel does not appear to go between the dual seat tubes. Also, the chainstays and overall frame appear to be longer not shorter.
      The old cruisers used a dual top tube, did that have an added benefit to the ride or was it merely cosmetic and cool?
      It’s altogether an odd looking frame/bike…makes me like it all the more.
      9/10 cool factor!

      • http://profiles.google.com/asm826 ASM 826

        I assure you, shortening the chainstays and altering the frame geometry is the purpose of the design. While the tire does not protrude through the split, it does set forward enough that it would rub on a traditional tube. This design feature is still being done on modern frames, although modern materials allow it to be done by shaping the seat tube . Here’s one example. Scroll though the pictures until you get to the detail of the rear wheel/seat tube.
        http://www.bikerumor.com/2011/12/27/2012-specialized-venge-pro-unboxed-weighed-first-impressions/

        • BeaterRezQ

          ASM,
          I can totally see purpose and practicality of design, and I have even seen older bikes with the slanted seat tube design..I just don’t see it on this bike in particular.(imho)
          Here’e one that was designed with the riders continued genealogy in mind; just in case she/he had pedal slippage.
          (OTS/Cameron once again I apologize in advance for posting pics of bikes that most likely don’t belong in here…but it’s most always to prove a point)
          I love you man!

    • Anonymous

      Also note, it had double dropouts. vertical in front horizontal in the back.

  • BeaterRezQ

    Dual water bottle holders?

  • John H

    Chrome under the head tube… would be super-cool if the whole bike was chrome.

  • http://profiles.google.com/asm826 ASM 826

    Here’s another old example of short wheelbase frame design:
    http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/builders/duke-builders2.jpg

    • BeaterRezQ

      Kool-a-mundo!
      ” So many bikes, so little money! ”
      BRQ

    • Anonymous

      Now, if there were a way to get around the BB, we could really short those stays.

  • http://profiles.google.com/asm826 ASM 826

    And here’s one more, a short wheelbase 1946 tandem.
    The same idea, shortening the chainstays by modifying the seat tube.
    http://oldbike.wordpress.com/1948-rensch-paris-cycles-swb-tandem/