Comments on: Cannondale Dutchess follow-up

By: Cannondale Dutchess Bike |

Cannondale Dutchess Bike | — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 22:33:44 +0000

[...] can read more details about Wytze van Mansum’s graduate project for Cannondale here. Advertisement LD_AddCustomAttr("AdOpt", "1"); LD_AddCustomAttr("Origin", "other"); [...]

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 22:21:37 +0000

The Dutchess is on display in the Kunsthal in Rotterdam. Today I saw it myself. It is a staggering design with lost of elegance. Cannondale would be not very wise (to put it mildly ) if it did not decide to produce it. It will most definitely be a huge hit in the market. GO FOR IT! Omafiets for the 21 century.

By: Erica Lucci

Erica Lucci — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 06:20:18 +0000

"...the Dutchess’ cyclist paddles along gracefully, displaying herself to the world."

Displaying herself to the world? Someone needs to rewrite their marketing copy to be less offensive to women.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:35:13 +0000

Will it be called the Cannodale Schwinn?

By: Wytze

Wytze — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:57:51 +0000

Hi, thanks for the comments. I will try to reply to some of them.

@ Champs:
I hope so, for example the frame could be used for a production model

@ anon 11:31:
your presumptions are wrong. In fact I also ride a mountainbike and ride DownHill, so I use disc brakes a lot. Like you say they are prone to dragging and noises, so that is also the reason why I don't use disc brakes. I use the less powerfull but more durable roller brakes, that I adjusted to be operated hydraulic and adjusted them to take out some of the excessive lever play (as the bike mechanics here will know, standard rollerbrakes tend to rattle on cobblestone roads)

@ Longleaf I agree with you the angle might look a bit steep, but with 71 degrees it is still in the 'comfort' zone. It was this angle for the saddle I intended to make for it (see http://www.vanmansum.nl), but I ended up using a stock saddle. Even if it would turn out to be to steep, I hope you can agree with me that it is not that difficult to choose a different angle for the production model.

By: Longleaf Bicycles

Longleaf Bicycles — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:54:54 +0000

Charlie–you are correct to point out that virtual seatube angle is the important factor, but it doesn't follow that actual STA is therefore irrelevant. Seatpost setback and saddle for/aft on the rails can't compensate for an actual STA that is off by several degrees.

By: kward101

kward101 — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:22:21 +0000

Wow. I almost overlooked what this bike actually represents. What a great collection of inspired ideas. Kudos to Cannondale for empowering this brilliant student. This is why I come to your blog. Great post.

By: robert

robert — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:09:16 +0000

What transfers motion to the rear wheel?

Very neat concept. Now all we need is more open town squares to ride these in

By: Charlie

Charlie — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:13:54 +0000

I disagree with Longleaf. STA can be compensated by saddle position for and aft and by seatpost offset. Head tube angle affects handling but STA is just a starting point for how you position the seat, which is what actually matters.

By: Longleaf Bicycles

Longleaf Bicycles — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:01:00 +0000

Before I get going, did they publish the seat tube angle? It look waaay too steep for a bike that puts the rider in the traditional, upright city bike position. I'm just eyeing the angle, of course, but it looks like the 71-73 degree typical on sport/rec bikes. It certainly wouldn't keep the bike from being enjoyed and useful, but it is far from optimal if the STA is that high, and STA is no small detail–everything about the rider's position on the bike flows from the angle/position of the pelvis relative to the knees and feet.