Analysis of Austro-Daimler A-D TT geometry

Frame and Wheel reviews the geometries of the four sizes available for the Austro-Daimler A-D TT frame. Frame and Wheel estimates the reach from the schematic drawings of the frame

Austro-Daimler A-D TT geometry analysis

Cm	50	52	54	57
Seat tube (C - T)	50.0	52.0	54.0	57.0
Top tube (effective)	53.5	55.6	57.7	58.7
Head tube	9.0	10.5	12.0	14.0
Chain stay	37.6	37.6	37.6	37.6
Front center	57.5	59.6	61.7	62.9
Wheelbase	94.0	96.1	98.2	99.5
Head tube angle ⁰	73.3	73.3	73.3	73.3
Seat tube angle ⁰	74.4 / 77.2	74.4 / 77.2	74.5 / 77.2	74.5 / 77.2
Bottom bracket drop	7.0	7.0	7.0	7.0
Stack	47.8	49.7	51.7	54.5
Reach *	40.3	41.0	43.0	43.6
Fork rake	4.4	4.4	4.4	4.4

 * Frame and Wheel estimates

The seat post can be adjusted to obtain two seat tube angles. The forward position of the seat post results in a seat tube angle of 77.2 degrees. Generally, this puts the rider further forward onto the handlebars and into a more aerodynamic position. It is suitable for standard or short time trials. The rear position of the seat post results in a seat tube angle of 74.4 degrees. This is closer to the traditional geometry of most road bikes and places more of the riders weight on on the rear wheel. It is less aerodynamic, but more comfortable and suitable for triathlons. The head tube angle on the 50 cm is 73.3 degrees. This is pretty close to the middle of the head tube angle range (71 to 75 degrees) and comparable to the head tube angle of standard road bikes. This suggests that the ride will be stable and smooth, particularly at high speeds. Elsewhere on the 50cm, the wheelbase is 94 cm, the stack is 47.8 cm and the reach is 40.3 cm. 

Austro-Daimler A-D TT graphics

Frame and Wheel provides the graphics for the Austro-Daimler A-D TT frame below. The graphics were produced by Todd Silva at Bob the Screen Printer.  The idea of emphasizing the logo was a result of the down tube's unusual shape; the narrower section at the top end of the down tube clutters up any kind of lettering and makes things awkward to the eye.

This version positions the logo onto the frame in such a way that the A and the D are still recognizable, and so that the arrow is still seen. It also captures the bow and utilizes the blue and gold of the logo. There is no lettering on the chain stays or seat stays as lettering there just cluttered things up. 

This version positions the logo on the down tube only and captures the hyphen.  This version allows for the frame's color to come through more and allows for lettering on the seat and chain stays.

The Internet of Bikes: 2011 Quabbin Reservoir Classic Road Race

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The Quabbin Reservoir Classic Road Race is 64 mile road race in Ware, Massachusetts. The race features lots of climbing, long and fast descents, some nice views of the Quabbin Reservoir and the Blue Knights Motorcycle Club who provide motor pace services. The race this year featured temperatures of 37 degrees and a steady rain and thus turnout was lower than it was in the previous three years. It is a major race for Frame and Wheel and the OA / Cyclemania Masters Cycling Team, but because there was not a 40 plus category and no team mates in 35 plus,  Frame and Wheel raced in the Pro 123 category. 

Frame and Wheel tracked the race with an Android smart phone and inserted labels at various parts of the route so that viewers can get a sense of what was happening at those points in the race. Total distance is 64 miles and total moving time is about 180 minutes (official time: 176 minutes 49 seconds). Average moving speed is 21 miles per hour and maximum speed is 40 miles per hour. Elevation gain is 4,650 feet and maximum elevation is 1,093 feet. Maximum grade is 15.7%.  There were 51 starters in the Pro 123 category.

The peleton is soaked at the bottom of the neutral section. The pace up the first climb is brisk as riders try to get warm. By the end of the next big descent, almost every rider is shaking or swinging his arms in an effort to return circulation to hands and fingers. The wet cold makes it hard to shift and apply the brakes. Frame and Wheel vows to pack foot warmers, booties and dish washing gloves in the race bag for all future events. 

A dangerous break forms of about ten riders and creates enough of a gap that the chase car catches on. The break remains in sight of the peleton. Some riders abandon or fade on the climbs. There are two flats due to water filled potholes. Frame and Wheel is sitting in and trying to stay warm.

The descents are very cold and sap any warmth created on the climbs. The shivers make it harder to hold a true line. The only consolation is that the break is caught. The reformed peleton makes the turn to the feed zone, which is populated by perhaps one supporter. One rider abandons here, another points out that the halfway point has not yet been reached. The peleton soon heads south and is greeted by a strong headwind.

The climbs at the Hardwick town line produces no attacks; the peleton stays together and pushes on. Frame and Wheel is convinced that there is a break up the road as the group appears smaller. Frame and Wheel is reticent to sit in, hydrate and eat and try to stay warm.   The peleton stays together on Greenwich road and there are another two riders who flat. Although much of this road is repaved, there are still some rough sections. 

There are perhaps two riders off the front, but they remain in sight of the peleton. The pace picks up as the group enters Ware and hits the last remaining climbs. The first steep section results in no attacks, and the peleton stays together on the longer but more gradual climb that follows. 

The group of 22 riders enters the last five kilometers in the park and the pace picks up and remains high. Frame and Wheel is convinced that the race will end in a field sprint. The cat and mouse begins and Frame and Wheel moves to the front to cover the attack that surely must come. It does not come until "Hank's Meadow", a flat section right before the final climb to the finish, and it is not the surge that Frame and Wheel is expecting. One rider attacks and Frame and Wheel follows. The gap is big and Frame and Wheel is certain that it cannot be closed, but Frame and Wheel tries nevertheless. Frame and Wheel expects the field to come charging past at any moment, but that never happens. There is one rider behind Frame and Wheel, but he cannot close the gap. Frame and Wheel enters the last 200 meters which are characterized by the usual tunnel vision, a cold and wet quietness, a single spectator shouting out encouragement and a race official indicating the finish line "funnel". Frame and Wheel is very pleased with the second place finish, and heads directly for the car and the promise of warm clothes and some real food. 

The Internet of Bikes: Upper Marlboro Howard Lothian Loop

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This loop requires riding on Route 4 to cross the Patuxent River. Route 4 is a major artery out of Washington DC, but it has a large shoulder and only a short time is spent on it. Once on Sands Road, traffic calms down a lot, although large trucks still seem to use this road to head south. Once off of Sands Road, the traffic clams down even more and the roads become very quiet and the scenery very pastoral and green. The loop returns on Route 2 which is a busy road, but the shoulder is wide. The duration of the ride was 78 minutes and the distance was 21 miles. Average moving speed was 17 miles per hour and maximum speed was 32 miles per hour. Total elevation gain was 1,167 and maximum elevation was 165 feet. A nice ride in new territory that has much potential for future rides.

The Internet of Bikes: Carl Dolan Memorial/Howard Country Library Spring Classic

View 18th Carl Dolan Memorial / Howard County Library Spring Classic in a larger map

Frame and Wheel travelled south after a stop over in New York City and ended up in Maryland for a few days. The temperatures were much warmer and the surroundings green and lush. The birds were singing and the flowering trees were in bloom. Frame and Wheel entered the 18th Carl Dolan Memorial/Howard County Spring Classic, a circuit race around a business park in Columbia, Maryland. The temperatures were in the fifties and the sun was shining, but the wind was strong, in the wake of the severe weather that ravaged the Southeast. The circuit was two miles in length and featured a gradual but long climb up to the finish. Total duration was 54 minutes and total distance was 21 miles. Average moving speed was 21 miles per hour and maximum speed was 39 miles per hour. There were about 70 riders in the 35 plus field. 

Frame and Wheel cannot be sure of the details of this race, but here is an attempt. Frame and Wheel attacks the climbs the first two times around, but can't get away. The attacks continue and soon a break of two riders forms. Frame and Wheel needs to recover and settles in for the next four laps during which time the break is caught, re-established and caught again. Frame and Wheel recovers and attacks at lap seven and becomes part of a small break of three riders that closes on two riders who are in sight and 20 seconds or so up the road. The break falters and is soon absorbed by the charging peleton. Frame and Wheel fades as the group forms a speeding tentacle that ultimately reaches out and grabs the two riders up the road. Frame and Wheel finishes 17th. A well run event, a pleasant setting and very good competition. Frame and Wheel hopes to return.

The Internet of Bikes: New York City Central Park Saturday Morning Ride

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Frame and Wheel rode in Central Park last weekend for the first time in many years. The temperature was in the 50s and it was overcast. It was an early start so there was not much traffic, outside of the CRCA Saturday Morning Race Series, which was an impressive sight. Frame and Wheel was aware that the race is open only to CRCA club members, and had no intention of hopping on. Instead, Frame and Wheel crept around and took some pictures and absorbed the cool Spring morning in the big city. Frame and Wheel completed five loops for a distance of 31 miles and a duration of 102 minutes. Average speed was 17 miles per hour and maximum speed was 32 miles per hour. Total elevation gain was 2,428 feet and maximum elevation was 237 feet. Frame and Wheel learned that to improve the accuracy of elevation measures, it is necessary to activate the 3G feature on the phone so that the GPS can connect to Google Maps and identify the location. 

Elsewhere, Frame and Wheel notes that after 8 am, the park begins to fill up with walkers, runners, cyclists, dogs and people on roller blades and cross country skiing rollers.  There are groups of walkers and runners and students walking and crossing the road. Soon after encountering a woman on a wheeled stair master, Frame and Wheel decided it was time to return home to a selection of fresh bagels.

The Internet of Bikes: Waterboro Lyman Hollis Eastern Trail

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The Waterboro Lyman Hollis Eastern Trail loop adds the Eastern Trail on the way out and the way in primarily to avoid traffic and to add variety. This loop also includes Simpson Road and Mitchell Hill Road, two diversions that include short but steep climbs (Frame and Wheel recommends "Put Me Back on My Bike", an account of the life of Tom Simpson, the great British cyclist who died on the ascent of Mount Ventoux during the Tour de France in the late 60s). The duration of the ride was 281 minutes and the distance was 88 miles. Average moving speed was about 19 miles per hour and maximum speed was 35 miles per hour. Total elevation gain was 3,916 feet and maximum elevation was 323 feet. Maximum grade was 12%.

Frame and Wheel marks a diabolical pothole that is located just on the white line around 154 Spurwink Road on Route 77 North. It is about 2 feet long and one foot wide and very deep; it is a section where the ground has eroded away under the pavement, creating a sink hole of sorts. Frame and Wheel felt obliged to stop and record the hole (after an earlier near miss), and place a fallen lamp cover over the hazard, hopefully to warn other riders and attract the attention of the Department of Transportation. 

The Internet of Bikes: Tour of the Battenkill 2011

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The Tour of the Battenkill 2011

The Tour of the Battenkill, also known as the "Hell of the North" or the "Queen of the Classics", is an annual bike race in Cambridge New York that attracts around 2,500 amateur and professional cyclists from around the world. It is famous for its molar-loosening dirt road sections, its rude climbs and its Paris-Roubaix spirit. It is the first major race for Frame and Wheel and the Portland Velo Club's OA/Cyclemania Masters Cycling Team. It is also a wonderful spectacle and celebration of local community and cycling.

Frame and Wheel surreptitiously tracked the 40 plus race with an Android smartphone. The point of this is to generate data about the race and provide some graphics from which racers can re-experience the event (for better or worse) and generate their own race reports. It is also intended to help viewers better understand the dramatic nature of the event. Viewers can open this map and use the markers to type in details about their race and read about other racer's experiences. Frame and Wheel recommends using the Terrain feature.
These are Frame and Wheel's stats for what they are worth: the distance is 64 miles and the duration is 178 minutes (the official time is 170 minutes). Average moving speed is 21.7 miles per hour and maximum speed is 50 miles per hour. Maximum elevation is 785 feet and total elevation gain is 4,138 feet. Maximum grade was 21 percent.  Elsewhere, the temperature is in the 60s and the roads are dry and the wind light from the southwest. There are 150 riders in the 40 plus category.

The peleton stays together over Perry Hill Road, but begins to fragment on Juniper Swamp Road, a short and very steep (perhaps 21%) climb at the 12 mile mark of the race. The peleton comes back together on the downhill, but it is smaller. The peleton reaches Joe Bean Road, a long and steep climb at the 30 mile mark, which is where a break forms. It includes  2010 40 Plus National Road Champion Roger Aspholm of Westwood Cycle (Harwood, New Jersey), Bruce Bird of Wheels of Bloor (Toronto, Canada) and Frame and Wheel of OA/Cyclemania (Cape Elizabeth, Maine).  This trio soon has a one minute and thirty seconds on the field. 
There are navigational problems: at the intersection of Route 29, Aspholm turns right, following the direction of the old course, while Bird and Frame and Wheel turn left. Bird and Frame and Wheel ease up to let Aspholm catch back on. Frame and Wheel almost misses the turn onto Cassidy Road, a new and difficult section of the race. The trio regains its rhythm and pushes on through rolling hills.
With a three minute gap at the 50 mile mark, the trio reaches Meeting House Road. Bird slows to try an tighten (unsuccessfully) the skewer on his front wheel that is ominously loose. He catches back on despite a brisk pace set by Aspholm up the last climb. Frame and Wheel attacks three of the climbs on Stage Road, but no gaps form. Bird attacks hard on Turnpike Road, but can't get away. At Spring Street, the sprint is on: Bird and Aspholm are the first through the corner on to the ravaged pavement of Broad Street followed by Frame and Wheel. Bird sprints to victory, followed by Aspholm and Frame and Wheel. The race is over. Frame and Wheel is very pleased with the result and looks forward to the Battenkill Creamery Chocolate Milk. Frame and Wheel is very thankful for the generosity, the camaraderie and the dedication of the OA / Cyclemania Masters Cycling Team and congratulates all of them on their great efforts during this race. Frame and Wheel is also grateful for the opportunity to compete in a great category that is characterized by such fine competitors.

 
 

The Internet of Bikes: Prout's Neck Out and Back

The Prout's Neck Out and Back ride heads south to the turnaround point on the tip of Prout's Neck and returns northbound on the same route.  The temperature was still cool although the sun is much warmer. It is a relaxing route that is suitable for a recovery ride or an easy spin in advance of competition. Frame and Wheel did this ride two days in a row to see how consistent the GPS is in capturing the ride data.

The GPS recorded a distance of 18.4 miles both times, which suggests that the system is pretty good at capturing distance. However, the elevation was not so consistent: the April 8 ride saw a maximum elevation of 32 feet and a minimum elevation of negative 79 feet, a total elevation gain of 776 feet, a maximum grade of 10% and a minimum grade of negative 8%. The April 7 ride had a maximum elevation of negative 7 feet and a minimum elevation of negative 92 feet, a total elevation gain of 624 feet, a maximum grade of 5.9% and a minimum grade of negative 4.0%. Some of the reading are clearly nonsense, and Frame and Wheel notes that the maximum elevations differed by 150 feet.  Google Tracks explains that the GPS system measures elevations less precisely than longitude and latitude. However, the relative changes in elevation are more precise. 

Google My Tracks recommends that the GPS signal is strong and unobstructed before setting off, so that a good starting point can be registered. Frame and Wheel started one minute recordings four times: each time elevation, maximum elevation and minimum elevation was a different negative figure (if only it could simply be zero each time, then the charts at least would look more sensible). Unexplainably, minimum and maximum grades were negative 4.0% and 5.9%, respectively, each time. 

Frame and Wheel will try to make sure that there is a steady reading before starting the ride, which means activating My Tracks while outside and with a few minutes to spare before moving. Although elevation is interesting data, Frame and Wheel notes that the important data is duration and distance. The GPS system seems to be pretty good at tracking both, although time spent wandering around the convenience store looking for Fig Newtons is also included in the average moving time and thus factored into average moving speed. Each ride was 60m in duration, for a total of 120 minutes over the two days.

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View Prout's Neck Out and Back II in a larger map

The Internet of Bikes: Saco Eastern Trail Loop

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The Saco Eastern Trail Loop heads west on the usual route and picks up Boom Road which wraps around and ends up in Biddeford. This is the turnaround point. From here, the route heads back along different roads and picks up the Eastern Trail, which is a dirt road that crosses through a marsh and ends up on Route 207. The wind was strong and temperatures were in the 30s. Duration was 185 minutes and distance was 55 miles. Average moving speed was 18 miles per hour and maximum speed was 36 miles per hour. Total elevation gain was 2,835 and maximum elevation was 177 feet.

Market value of Cervelo S2s

Frame and Wheel has been following transactions of Cervelo S2 framesets on eBay. The purpose of this exercise is to get an idea of how much value a carbon fiber performance road racing frame loses each year. This exercise is also related to Frame and Wheel's effort to determine the cost of a ride and to develop a new way for paying for increasingly expensive carbon fiber bicycles. Frame and Wheel chose the Cervelo S2 because Frame and Wheel rides one, it is a strong brand and they are popular road frames. Cervelo's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the 2011 version of this frameset is $2,800 (frame, seat post and front fork). 

Year	Item	eBay	Y-Y $	Y-Y %	Cumulative $	Cumulative %	Transactions
2010	Frameset	$1,768	($1,032)	(37)	($1,032)	(37)	4
2009	Frameset	$1,576	($192)	(11)	($1,224)	(44)	2
2008	Frameset	$1,091	($485)	(31)	($1,709)	(61)	3

The average price of 2010 Cervelo S2 framesets auctioned on eBay over the past month is $1,768. This price is 37% below the $2,800 MRSP of a 2011 Cervelo S2. The average price of 2009 Cervelo S2 framesets auctioned over the past month is $1,576. This is 44% below the MSRP of 2011 S2s and 11% less than average price of 2010 S2s sold on eBay over the past month. Finally, the average price of 2008 Cervelo S2s framesets (also known as a Soloist) auctioned on eBay over the past month is $1,091. This is 61% below the MSRP of a 2011 S2 and 31% less than the average price 2009 S2s auctioned on eBay over the past month. 

The first observation is that these framesets lose on average 37% of their value after one year. This phenomena is similar to new cars and explains why many cyclists buy last year's model when searching around for a new bicycle. It also quantifies the effect that planned obsolescence and the push model structure of the industry has on the values of carbon road frames: at the end of each season, retailers discount their excess inventory to make room for new models. They do this because they have limited floor space and they have to keep up with new models if they want to remain authorized dealers.

The next observation is that framesets seem to lose value at a decreasing rate in the second year after they are sold: the two 2009 S2s auctioned over the past month sold for prices that were on average 11% less than the average price of 2010 framesets auctioned during the same period.  The market seems to perceive a 2009 frameset as relatively new, perhaps because the features have not changed too much and the graphics are still perceived as being fresh. Also, there is a greater possibility that the frames have been only lightly used or not at all.

The final observation is that the rate at which these framesets lose their value accelerates in the third year: the three 2008 Soloists auctioned over the past month sold for prices that were on average 31% less than the average prices of the 2009 framesets auctioned during the same period. This makes sense given that a three year old frame will certainly have had some use, and is unlikely to have been sitting in a box somewhere or on the floor of a bike shop. Also, there may be material differences in the features of the frameset after three years and the graphics are also clearly different, and signal the frameset as being "old".
Cervelo S2 transactions on eBay March 2011

Year	Price sold	Bids	Size	Shipping	Comments
2010	$1,651	3	54	45	Less 1000 miles,  fork post, poor description
2010	$1,945	20	51	30	Less 50 miles, no reserve, uncut fork, seat post
2010	$1,700	1	54	35	Discounted from $2,200; some cosmetic wear
2010	$1,775	28	56	45	New and unused by owner
2009	$1,825	16	51	45	New frame, used front fork
2009	$1,327	26	54	80	Low mileage, some cosmetic wear
2008	$1,075	19	58	55	Low mileage, never crashed, some cosmetic wear
2008	$998	16	54	75	Low mileage, some cosmetic wear
2008	$1,200	1	61	65	Buy it now transaction; 3T fork; new seat post

Frame and Wheel appreciates that ten transactions is a small sample, but then again these are market transactions between willing buyers and sellers during the beginning of the cycling season (in North America anyway). There are certainly variables related to seasonality, size and graphics at work here, but the trend is nevertheless clear. 

Frame and Wheel notes that one seller has listed his 2011 S2 on eBay for $2,400, a 14% discount to the MSRP. The item has had 2,500 views and 11 offers, but the seller (who specializes in the sale of Chicago White Sox baseball tickets) is holding out for his selling price. The recent transactions for S2s suggest that the seller is optimistic: eBay buyers seem to want to pay a price that is set by the market rather than the seller, and they demand a larger discount than 15% to compensate for giving up warranty privileges and the risk of buying a performance carbon road frame from someone who specializes in selling baseball tickets for the Chicago White Sox. This offering exemplifies how many sellers frequently have unrealistic expectations about what their bicycles are worth.