Why in the heck differant sizes

[Uncle Stretch]

I can see that nobody built bikes with the same size parts ,because they wanted to sell their whatevers......But why did they not pick a size for the stupid neck. One is 5'' long and then the next one you come to is 6 1/2 '' long....gotta Schwinn speedster that is 8'' long What were these fools thinking. I guess I should be happy that the BB cup size is pretty much standard. It looks like to me 6 1/2'' should have been a standard.

 

[user 135]

I am guessing that is one of the reason's you dislike Schwinn's.

 

[deorman]

Stretch 'em! :wink:

 

[Road Master]

Really? I love all the different sizes - I actually have trouble finding any between 6" and 12". I use different lengths in combination with the handlebar. If it's like a half moon or something with little rise I want a 6" or preferably an 8" to bring it up in the air so I can still ride in an upright position - I'm old. Keep in mind these are not usable lengths we're talking about. With a bar that has some rise to it I can use a shorter stem (neck?). When I start turning the bars upside down I really need some extra height. The more rise the bar has the more length I need in the stem to pick it up again so I can reach it without laying down - did I mention I'm old? Here's a few examples:

 

[deorman]

I believe he's referring to the steering head, not the handle bar clamp. At least that's what I mean when I say "neck" in reference to a bike. :|

 

[deorman]

The term "goose neck" actually started as a descriptive reference to a specific type of clamp, or "stem", namely the type shown in your last picture, due to it's resemblance to... no surprise here, the neck of an aquatic game bird. :wink:

 

[Uncle Stretch]

Man roadmaster you have a unique collection of stems and bars. I was talking about the part welded on the front of the frame...neck...steering tube...whatever. I wish all of the frame builders would have gotten together over a beer and a steak and decided on one length. I have 30 forks and they are all different lengths. They probably still are doing it. And why did a girls bike need a longer fork. Oh well they are probably all dead by now so my questions will never be answered. :roll: :roll:

 

[Rat Rod]

You are correct, the three guys who did make these decisions are now dead.

Here's how they looked after cremation... :lol:

 

[aka_locojoe]

And why did a girls bike need a longer fork.

I've always assumed girls had a longer head tube as so to put more space between the top and bottom tube to give more strength.

It is frustrating when you think you've found the perfect fork for you build and it's too long or short.

 

[mastronaut]

Oh man, who manufactures the seat in that last pic? The brown and chrome one? IEEEE! That looks comfy....

 

[Road Master]

Oh man, who manufactures the seat in that last pic? The brown and chrome one? IEEEE! That looks comfy....

I keep bouncing saddles around until I find a good home for them. That one is a 1998 Troxel off my Roadmaster Luxury Liner repop. It now resides on my 1941 Western Flyer. Plus I have a big butt so I have an assortment of seats to experiment with.

 

[Ronsonic]

I can see that nobody built bikes with the same size parts ,because they wanted to sell their whatevers......But why did they not pick a size for the stupid neck. One is 5'' long and then the next one you come to is 6 1/2 '' long....gotta Schwinn speedster that is 8'' long What were these fools thinking. I guess I should be happy that the BB cup size is pretty much standard. It looks like to me 6 1/2'' should have been a standard.

This is one I'm gonna disagree with you on. It makes sense for "fit" parts to come in different lengths and sizes to fit different people. The crazy is that the diameter of that stem isn't always the same size and not every stem fits in every fork.

 

[deorman]

The crazy is that the diameter of that stem isn't always the same size and not every stem fits in every fork.

This is the one that burns my bacon. :roll:

 

[Schwinnspastic]

Isn't the difference in parts part of the fun when ratting one together ? I always thought so !

 

[Markm]

You are correct, the three guys who did make these decisions are now dead.

Here's how they looked after cremation... :lol:

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: