What is meant by a bike model?

[plantluvver]

Ok,

My idea of a bike is basically the frame. In my mind, any two different frames should have different names, except maybe for differences due to sizing different people.

I am looking at The Specialized Sequoia. Sequoia has a "A1 Premium Aluminum" frame. Sequoia Elite has an "E5 Columbus SLX frame." Both these descriptions are pretty much gibberish to me, except that they are DIFFERENT while the bike model has the same name. So what does a manufacturer mean by a model? Is it a particular frame geometry? Or is it a market or function they are trying to serve? Or are they trying to satisfy the "label-conscious" individual who wants a certain bike they have heard of, so they try to please the buyer by making a cheaper "wanna-be" version? Or does making deciscions like this merely keep the marketing department busy?

Can one of the Sequoias actually be more like another bike in the product line than her sister?

As far as frame materials, I would think that two materials would require a different geometry, because they must behave differently. For that matter, can different frame sizes create different performance within a single model. Say that a stiff reacing bike that works nimbly for a tall guy, is sized down for small woman. I imagine it could become very skittish, so are the designs adjusted to try to compensate? I imagine that this is more of an art than a science, because something like tubing thicknessess cannot be changed, wheel sizes must be standard, etc.

Any bike designers/marketers out there to shed any light on this?

Mary

[mellic]

Bikes are no different to cars, they have a make and a model, and there can be multiple different types of the same model which are distinguished by a second model name.

In regards to the Specialized Sequoia, the make is obviously Specialized and the main model name is Sequoia, then there are three different model types of the Sequoia model - generic base model with no name, the elite and the expert. So if you ended up buying the elite and someone asked what make and model bike you owned it would be make=Specialized model=Sequoia Elite, so it has two model names.

The difference between the different types of bikes under the same model name can be either a different grading of aluminium on the frame, better parts, or a combination of both.

If we look specifically at the 3 Sequoia models you will see that the generic base model comes with A1 premium aluminium while the elite and expert come with E5 columbus slx with zertz (gel) inserts. So the base model Sequoia comes with a slightly lower grade aluminium frame compared to the other two, however frame geometry will remain the same. The different frame materials does create differences in performance. The A1 aluminium will be slightly heavier and would feel the bumps a little more as it does not have the zertz gel inserts to cushion the vibrations.

The base model also comes with lower grade parts as well. As the elite and expert come with exactly the same frame the expert is classified as a higher model bike because it comes with better components than the elite.

Yes I would say that a bike could be more like another bike in the line than her sister. The thing that makes a bike a sister is the design of the frame and that's about it when it comes to road bikes.

[SalsaMTB]

Mellic....excellent answer!!

[plantluvver]

I wasn't sure. So if I took a picture of the different bikes in a model, in the same size, they will look exactly the same, and I can only tell them apart by the paint job, and perhaps a close look at the joins. Will the same model have the same basic frame material? I mean will they stick to steel, or aluminum. This would make a great difference in the ride, wouldn't it? Or does the geometry have different effects than the materials?

Also, what is the relation between different sizes?

Well, let me ask, what exactly IS geometry? Is it all a matter of angles? I can see that many angles can be the same for different sized frames. But some proportions have to change. If tire size stays the same, and the frame changes size, the changes cannot be proportional. And a smaller frame will be more rigid than a larger frame, because it has shorter members. So do manufacturers try to "fix" this, or do they just follow some rule, and if it makes a poor bike in some cases, they simply don't make that particular model in those sizes?

Don't worry about getting too technical on me. I have a BA in math. Or just a good link or two would be okay. I guess what I am really asking is if I read a reveiw by someone who is 5'0" and I am 5'8", how much can I rely on their reveiw? Do I need to factor in the difference in size of frame.

Or perhaps I just sit around and think too much, and just need to ride some bikes

Mary

[SalsaMTB]

Here is a good place to start:

http://sheldonbrown.com/articles.html

Under that link, there are numerous articles that are cycling related. You should check out the "frame materials" link and the "frame size" link.

[plantluvver]

I know him. Why didn't I look there? Probably in sticker shock at prices. Anyway, crisis is averted. Fixed my Schwinn Traveller today! (maybe I'll go garage saling this weekend.) Some backyard in Portland has my dream bike with a price tag of $20 on it. (One can hope, can't she?)
Mary