Curved top tube (I'm not picking on Carrera, using it as a current example).

and before this Carrera example there is also Specialized Tarmac back in 2004/5 and last year (2006/7) Willier Cento. I think there is a curren model De Rosa with a curved top tube too. Personally this feature does not appeal to me but I dont like compact/sloping top tubes either. Each to their own.

I sure don't like it. I don't like the seat tube either. Ditto the seat & chain stays. I don't know why manufacturers are doing this. My guess is to try to show a difference between them & their competitors. I doubt seriously if it has any performance value.

I owned a successful business for 15 years. We used to have a saying that went, "That (insert business name here) tried so hard to be different that they forgot to be good."

I'm not at all a fan. Anyone know if its an engineering design or meant solely for marketing?

Ye gods. What a monstrosity.

I agree with those who do not like the look, I too am curious about the engineering justification. However, the old bike in the second picture is cool. I would not mind having that a a cruiser...

Kinda zexy.:ihih:

Its all about new sales. Eye candy to the consumer. Little has come out in the road bike arena to drastically improve the efficiency of the bicycle. Would you be any faster on any new bike verses 10 year old one that fit you properly?

Some of the best ideas are old ones. At least the cycling industry is into recycling!:idea: (Pun intended)

Aside from the lower seat tube (which looks messed up) I like the look of the bike. The rounded tubes and sloping top tube look really good to me....I've always liked Retrotec's bikes as well.

Chance the seat tube to a more generic round tube or one that matches the rest of the seat tube and it would be a very sweet looking bike :thumbsup:

Its all about new sales. Eye candy to the consumer. Little has come out in the road bike arena to drastically improve the efficiency of the bicycle. Would you be any faster on any new bike verses 10 year old one that fit you properly?

Some of the best ideas are old ones. At least the cycling industry is into recycling!:idea: (Pun intended)

Exactly, and it might be that some engineer found a minute performance advantage in some analysis software.

The bike ain't pretty, but it's a freakin' Victoria's Secret model compared to DeRosa's Tango.

Both bikes look awesome... I'm a huge fan of aesthetic engineering. What other industry can boast beautiful shape and creme de la creme materials and technology affordable to the semi-average Joe? If you wanted the same in a car you'd have to be a millionaire. For a bike you just have to be slightly mentally unstable. I think we are in a cycling golden age design wise. Enjoy it and ride!

The bike ain't pretty, but it's a freakin' Victoria's Secret model compared to DeRosa's Tango.

Aaaymen to that!

That's an ugly frame....

I think it's a alot to do with who can engineer the carbon. I'm sure that none of the frames really make that big of a dif. aero or weight wise. Sure, eye candy plays a huge role, but I think there is kind of a pi$$ing match in the Euro design/build scene. Here's an odd one from Interbike. John Cobb helped with this thing.

The bike ain't pretty, but it's a freakin' Victoria's Secret model compared to DeRosa's Tango.

Over the years (and centuries, especially) tastes in women sure have changed, too. There was a time when ALL VS models would have been considered peasants at best. It's only very recently (and in the West) that weight (and suntans, for that matter) has stopped being an indicator of wealth and fertility. Fashions change.

I think curved toptubes can look very nice, but not on most road bikes.

Over the years (and centuries, especially) tastes in women sure have changed, too. There was a time when ALL VS models would have been considered peasants at best. It's only very recently (and in the West) that weight (and suntans, for that matter) has stopped being an indicator of wealth and fertility. Fashions change.

I think curved toptubes can look very nice, but not on most road bikes.

That's fer sure. At one time, I guy was a stud, a veritable chick magnet, if he were rotund. It showed that he had the wealth to eat very well (or poorly, depending on which standards you choose.). FWIW, Marilyn Monroe looked better than any Victoria's Secret model ever will, and even today, Helen Mirren puts 'em all to shame. Helen, if you're reading this, PM me--PLEASE!-- for a good but really unnatural week at a secluded location. I am discrete.

One thing cannot be argued: the Tango never looked good. Clearly, it only became a good idea once the bong was on its 8th or 9th trip around the room.

[QUOTE=Forrest Root]...Helen Mirren puts 'em all to shame. Helen, if you're reading this, PM me--PLEASE!-- for a good but really unnatural week at a secluded location. I am discrete.QUOTE]

Now that it is out on DVD, check her out in O Lucky Man! from 1973. I was in love when that first came out.

That goofy top tube curve always reminds me of a pooping dog

That goofy top tube curve always reminds me of a pooping dog:thumbsup: LOL!! :thumbsup:

I don't mind the curved shape...the oversized aero type tubes are ugh...

Where is the UCI with their arbitrary, ham-fisted traditionalism when you really need them?

Hey I know there are a lot of Colnago fans but they totally lost me when they came out with the "HP" chainstay with a little split in it

http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/photos/tech/c50-drivetrain.jpg

- I remember reading the ad claiming it increased stiffness while improving flexiblity, or something like that. Right.

But, this is nothing new - the great English builder Hetchins was building bikes with 'curly stays" in the '30's. Legend says that he did it that way so his bikes would always be unique and recognizable, since under the racing rules of the time the bike couldn't have maker decals.

http://www.classicrendezvous.com/images/British/Hetchins/hetctrk.jpg

Creaky...those are still ugly. I don't care if they were made before the Magna Carta, They're still ugly.

Funny to move to compact geometry, then arch the top tube for looks. What's been gained/lost?

I like the Carrera frame. It's one of the few curved TT frames I like and compared to the graphic design of something like a Trek all the Euro frames are aesthetic wonderlands. 1950's toothpaste tube graphics don't appeal to me.

Helen Mirren still does too even after all these years. Saw a cheesy assassin movie with her and Cuba Gooding recently and she was still hot. One of the few actresses that can always be counted on to show the goods in nearly every movie she's in (Charlize Theron gets honorable mention).

I think Ernesto meant that it made him stiff and increased his financial flexibility. I think the markups Colnago commands would do the same for me too.

But, this is nothing new - the great English builder Hetchins was building bikes with 'curly stays" in the '30's. Legend says that he did it that way so his bikes would always be unique and recognizable, since under the racing rules of the time the bike couldn't have maker decals.

http://www.classicrendezvous.com/images/British/Hetchins/hetctrk.jpg

For such a tall bike those chainstays are really short! By the way the pooping dog thing was really funny. It seems I'm probably buying a pooping dog on this Pedal Force buy

It reminds me of my first "real" bike, my blue 1969 Schwinn Stingray. I like the Tarmac and the Orbea Orca too. The thing about "traditional" frames is that they've become generic. This Carrera is distinctive, even if you don't like it. Honestly, if someone pulled up to your local ride on one, no one would be looking at your "traditional" Ti, Carbon, Steel whatever bike....not even you. :eek: