For those of you who don't know what a funny bike is, it is a bike with a smaller diameter front wheel than the rear wheel. These bikes had their roots go back to the '70s, last being legal in 1999. Many time trials were won on these machines, and even an Hour Record was attempted on one.
I am certain that I am going to encounter some flack, but I do have valid points here:
1) Lower frontal position without straining the lower back. The 650c (or even better- a 24") front wheel will lower your position, even if you need to have a tall head tube.
2) Aggressively positioned guys can be even more aggressive, by using the same logic above, being able to have an even lower front end.
3) Flatter back is achievable. The only way I can quantify this is that my back is flatter without the pain associated.
4) You can get pretty low, even in nearly replicating your roadie position.
5) 700c wheels tend to shift better and have easier to achieve gear ratios, though I think these days this positive is moot.
There are some negatives, and I will state them here:
a) Two different spares- what a pain in the arse.
b) 24" tyres are not very easy to find, that goes for 24" wheels.
c) Neck can be strained in going lower; however, the guys (and girls) in really low positions can overcome the neck strain.
d) It doesn't look like the UCI will be reinvestigating and reconsidering their position on funnybikes, so one would only be able to use this in a tri.
e) You have two alternatives for finding a funnybike: risk getting a used one, or go custom.
f) Traditional funnybikes are inherently heavy in their design, especially if you need a taller headtube.
Thoughts, anyone?
I am certain that I am going to encounter some flack, but I do have valid points here:
1) Lower frontal position without straining the lower back. The 650c (or even better- a 24") front wheel will lower your position, even if you need to have a tall head tube.
2) Aggressively positioned guys can be even more aggressive, by using the same logic above, being able to have an even lower front end.
3) Flatter back is achievable. The only way I can quantify this is that my back is flatter without the pain associated.
4) You can get pretty low, even in nearly replicating your roadie position.
5) 700c wheels tend to shift better and have easier to achieve gear ratios, though I think these days this positive is moot.
There are some negatives, and I will state them here:
a) Two different spares- what a pain in the arse.
b) 24" tyres are not very easy to find, that goes for 24" wheels.
c) Neck can be strained in going lower; however, the guys (and girls) in really low positions can overcome the neck strain.
d) It doesn't look like the UCI will be reinvestigating and reconsidering their position on funnybikes, so one would only be able to use this in a tri.
e) You have two alternatives for finding a funnybike: risk getting a used one, or go custom.
f) Traditional funnybikes are inherently heavy in their design, especially if you need a taller headtube.
Thoughts, anyone?
