Road Test/Bike Review (1991) Clark-Kent AX-1 (Alexi Grewal)
05-14-24, 09:45 AM
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Road Test/Bike Review (1991) Clark-Kent AX-1 (Alexi Grewal)
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05-14-24, 11:34 AM
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The curved seat tube seems to be the best way to shorten the chain stays. Other arrangements, like the split seat tube that is seen on the Rigi, appear to have bigger issues (such as mounting a front derailleur to that split seat tube). Whether or not the short chain stays are actually beneficial is a separate discussion, though. 
I did see a Clark-Kent track frame at Billy Goat Cycles in St. Louis with that curved seat tube....
Steve in Peoria
I did see a Clark-Kent track frame at Billy Goat Cycles in St. Louis with that curved seat tube....
Steve in Peoria
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05-14-24, 12:26 PM
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Chain stays that short would give Grant Petersen the vapors.
Okay, not really - he'd say that if it works for you and the kind of riding (i.e., racing) you want to do, then go for it, but it makes no sense for what most riders want from a bike (and he'd be right).
Okay, not really - he'd say that if it works for you and the kind of riding (i.e., racing) you want to do, then go for it, but it makes no sense for what most riders want from a bike (and he'd be right).
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05-14-24, 06:43 PM
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I bet not many people can relate to this story, but boy, I sure can !!! I'm about the same height and build as Alexi and I too have found that "traditional" cycling positioning was all wrong for me. This article pretty much articulates what I've been experiencing in moving much forward. I've adapted my frames further by using 150mm cranks, but still I need frames with steeper seat tubes. Not 78d, but more than the usual 72-73 put on large frames. I wouldn't use chainstays quite that short either.
Speaking of Rivendell, yeah, I have Bombadil that I've not ridden much lately as it doesn't lend itself well to the direction I'm going. It's a decidedly "traditional setback" kind of frame. The good news is at least now I know what direction my next Franklin custom will be. I'm definitely not in the "most riders" category ! Hence, I love me some racing frames, I love me some long, low drop bar bikes with steep-er STA's. I love me some road cycle clothing. Whoever said riding "upright" is "good" for you ?
Speaking of Rivendell, yeah, I have Bombadil that I've not ridden much lately as it doesn't lend itself well to the direction I'm going. It's a decidedly "traditional setback" kind of frame. The good news is at least now I know what direction my next Franklin custom will be. I'm definitely not in the "most riders" category ! Hence, I love me some racing frames, I love me some long, low drop bar bikes with steep-er STA's. I love me some road cycle clothing. Whoever said riding "upright" is "good" for you ?
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05-15-24, 01:58 AM
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Great review, thanks for posting it. I must have read most of Bicycle Guide’s reviews of the late 80s and early 90s several times over.
The CK AX-1 really seems to me ahead of its time now, with Niki Terpstra and others (often bigger/taller flatland domestiques) in the last ten years sliding saddles forward on zero offset posts as far as the UCI would allow, while maximising saddle to bar drop. Nowadays achieved within the constraints of production frames with fixed geometries, whereas the CK with its long front centre and slack head angle far more bespoke, but otherwise similar in concept and intent.
The CK AX-1 really seems to me ahead of its time now, with Niki Terpstra and others (often bigger/taller flatland domestiques) in the last ten years sliding saddles forward on zero offset posts as far as the UCI would allow, while maximising saddle to bar drop. Nowadays achieved within the constraints of production frames with fixed geometries, whereas the CK with its long front centre and slack head angle far more bespoke, but otherwise similar in concept and intent.
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05-15-24, 04:15 AM
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Very interesting bike and thanks for sharing the article 
