350mm modstays

[justtysen]

It's not physically difficult to build 350mm stays and yet 363mm has been standard for a pretty long time. I always thought it was decided that shorter stays just didn't provide enough leverage. The BB's on the 350mm frames are also higher than usual (+60 and up), only exacerbating the change. So what's the deal?

Are the competitions different or have techniques changed? Short chainstays are important for UCI riding but big gaps and ups are too.


(Personally I'm interested in the idea because I'm tall and on the long frames it adds to the bike's reach without driving the wheels even further apart.)

[20inchDUDE]

Its funny that you mention big ups and gaps with short stays....From what Ive seen the master in big ups and gaps on 20inch bikes is Benito and he rides 350mm CS...go figure?

ive ridden both an XTP2 and now a Hydroxx. I guess I do feel more leverage with the hydroxx when gapping and stuff but the extra weight compensates and Im not gapping further or higher...well it barely noticable.
Ive seen benito gap and up stuff that none of the other elite could on their Montys (Dani, Iker, Raul G, Javi A, Terai, Keita...)

So in the end I guess it doesent make much difference, its all about adapting and technique.

[thetart20]

That's pretty much what I would add too.

The shorter stays do make the bike feel very 'zippy' though, especially on bunnyhops! I went from 363/+55 (Czar) to 350/+65 (DOB) and found it has actually made a difference to my riding. I am sure that it's a combination of factors, not just the geo, but the bike is certainly very comfortable.

Looking forward to my XTP now :D

[justtysen]

Looking forward to my XTP now :D
Cool! I think I'm waiting for somebody to make a burlier version of the XTP.