TPT November 2009

A dvances in M anufacturing P rofiles and S haped T ubes

SURFBOARDERS are people on the move, impatient with words. When a term was needed for the perfect wave, they didn’t reach for rhapsodic descriptions. They called it a tube: immediately understood and universally adopted. But if a tube is a classic shape, suggestive of the ideal,

 Erne Fittings products

it is also, in the inventive forms under review in this section of TPT, a workhorse mechanism of extraordinary versatility. Consider this précis of a tandem-design racing bicycle, the “Softride Beam” from Victor Chang, of Concept Technology (Roseville, California): “I designed stiffness into it by using 1 3 / 4 " top and bottom tubes. The beam is attached to the trapezoidal tube that extends from the rear through the top tube. The trapezoidal design stiffens the centre geometry. Oval seatstays and chainstays are used to strengthen the rear rhombus. “Yes, it lacks many tubes that you might be used to seeing, but with this design those tubes were unnecessary. Between the top and bottom tubes, plus the 1 3 / 8 " downtube and 1 1 / 2 " headtube, the handling is precise and confident. “For teams requiring a stiffer rear triangle, I use a traditional rear triangle design,

extending the front deraileur tube up to the top tube. I also will use 2" top and bottom tubes for riders who need the extra metal.” Novelty in the service of stability. This is an impetus very congenial to anyone who appreciates the creative – but within the framework of the traditional. It is second nature to the tube industry professionals whose products and services are showcased here.

 Thermatool solid-state, high frequency contact welding technology

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N ovember 2009

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