Hello, new member here with a question about my latest build, a 93 RTS-1. I had another later model RTS-3 with a cracked main frame, but the rear triangle is intact. The steel triangle on the 1 had a bit of rust around the upper bolt interface, not too bad but I sanded/treated and painted it as part of the build. While I was painting the steel one I also painted the aluminum one the same satin black color, because I like that look. So now I have the two triangles in the shop, and my question is, which one to use? I realize the AL has pivots in the chainstays but I also read that with this design they really don't add any meaningful functionality. I like the more delicate look of the chromoly slightly better, but will always be wondering if I got all the rust and it was in an especially bad place right at the upper pivot. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Thanks, cob
GT RTS rear triangle - which one to bolt on?
- Thread starter cob0853
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Re:
Early 1s and teams had steel rears, then moved to alloy. Steel was then left for lower models. Steel rears are heavier but more easily repaired if they go wrong.
As for the pivot, there must have been some benefit, it is essentially a 'horst link' and if rumours are true, specialised weren't too happy and paid a visit to a court room. You don't see many rear suspension bikes without a pivot out back.
Little improvements such as adjustable rear shock pivot also crept in, as did bearings rather than bushings on the main pivot.
Early 1s and teams had steel rears, then moved to alloy. Steel was then left for lower models. Steel rears are heavier but more easily repaired if they go wrong.
As for the pivot, there must have been some benefit, it is essentially a 'horst link' and if rumours are true, specialised weren't too happy and paid a visit to a court room. You don't see many rear suspension bikes without a pivot out back.
Little improvements such as adjustable rear shock pivot also crept in, as did bearings rather than bushings on the main pivot.
Re:
So what would be your recommendation, go with the aluminum rear? It would be a Kinesis weld job rather than U.S. but I'm not sure how much that means. I wouldn't exactly call it a Horst link because of the position of the pivots (I have an Amp B-2 and B-3) so I can see how they availed in a suit, but I agree it must have had some purpose. My thought was that the steel stays would have a slight flex which would have served that purpose well enough, but maybe they wouldn't try a soft-tail-ish approach with AL(?). I'm leaning towards the AL triangle unless there are concerns of which I'm unaware at this point. But where could one find bearings for this unit? Thanks ,cob
So what would be your recommendation, go with the aluminum rear? It would be a Kinesis weld job rather than U.S. but I'm not sure how much that means. I wouldn't exactly call it a Horst link because of the position of the pivots (I have an Amp B-2 and B-3) so I can see how they availed in a suit, but I agree it must have had some purpose. My thought was that the steel stays would have a slight flex which would have served that purpose well enough, but maybe they wouldn't try a soft-tail-ish approach with AL(?). I'm leaning towards the AL triangle unless there are concerns of which I'm unaware at this point. But where could one find bearings for this unit? Thanks ,cob
