What is Giant TCR?
TCR stands for Total Compact Road. A Giant first, the top tube slopes downward. This leads to smaller, stiffer and lighter frames than the horizontal top tube which used to be the norm on road bikes. Giant uses its OverDrive steerer through the range.
How is bike stiffness measured?
Stiffness tests, in general, are completed by hanging weights from a frame and measuring flexion in millimetres. There are industry standard tests, which frames have to pass. There are standard testing rigs – such as those from Zedler, and it’s possible to test all bikes in one rig and compare numbers.
Can a bike be too stiff?
How well can the bike accept your need to make a change in the middle of a corner? That’s where front-end stiffness comes into play. ‘ It turns out that if a bike is too stiff at the front end it becomes difficult to lean, which creates a different type of handling problem.
What is Kom in road bike?
The KOM prefix in the name stands for King of the Mountain, and it’s only logical. With a frame weighing in at under 670 grams (dependant on size) it’s only the weight of the wheels and parts that will determine just how super light this bike can be.
What does stiffer bike mean?
Pedaling stiffness is also known as bottom bracket stiffness. When a rider pushes down on a pedal the frame deflects laterally. Stiff frames deflect less, so more of your energy goes into turning the rear wheel, rather than deforming the frame.
Why are stiffer road bikes better?
Are carbon frames stiffer?
Aluminium bikes work out to be approximately 20% stiffer than both titanium and steel, while carbon bikes are closer to 10% stiffer. At the bottom bracket shell, the carbon and aluminium frames are again stiffer, with 20% more force required to move the cranks a millimetre than either titanium or steel.
How do I perform a stiffness test on the Model 150-B?
The model 150-B requires the user to manually record stiffness testing data, average the readings and multiply results by a scaling factor. NOTE: Taber offers a step-down transformer (220V/110V) to operate the Model 150-B at 220V. After the test material has been deflected 15° (or 7 1/2°) to the left and right, the average reading is determined.
What is basic stiffness in Tappi test?
Basic Stiffness is the loss of stiffness caused by “elastic fatigue”, or the realignment of the molecules experienced by the material when a specimen is held at the end point of deflection. As reported in TAPPI Test Method T543, Taber Stiffness Units can be converted to Genuine Gurley™ Stiffness Units with the below equation.
What is a V-5 stiffness tester?
This precision instrument provides accurate test measurement to ±1.0% for specimens 0.004″ to 0.219″ thickness. Materials include paper products, cardboard, plastics, metals, textiles, rubber, wire, tubing, felts and other sheet materials. Incorporated in the TABER V-5 Stiffness Tester is a bi-directional pendulum weighing system.
How many samples do I need to test the stiffness rating?
The extreme sensitivity of the Taber V-5 Stiffness Tester magnifies variations in the material. Therefore, it is recommended that 5 or more samples be tested and the average result taken as the stiffness rating.