Hellenic / Triple Triangle - why?

[petitpal]

The current interest in GTs has made me wonder about their adoption of the hellenic frame design (only just discovered this was named after Fred Hellens who introduced it - apparently). I can understand GT adopting it for branding purposes but I'm more broadly interested in why do it at all? Do longer stays help in any way? Does it give added stiffness or strenth to the frame by adding an extra welding point? Just curious - as I say.

 

[legrandefromage]

Personally it makes steels GT's pivot at the back and aluminium GT's super stiff at the back.

Personally!

 

[petitpal]

Not going to ask for details. I think I might be more interested in the broader point of why do it at all, though: why was it introduced in the first place? Obviously it's a design that pre-dates GT by a few decades. Was it only ever just a gimmick?

(Actually you might have partially answered that with the 'super stiff at the back' point )

 

[Barneyballbags]

If you look at the number of early Zaskars (to use an example) still being used and abused, then there's a fair case for the triple triangle design making the rear end stronger.

I don't think I've ever heard of a Zaskar frame cracking/failing on this forum?

 

[legrandefromage]

It was a damn fine marketing ploy - instantly recognizable.

 

[petitpal]

If you look at the number of early Zaskars (to use an example) still being used and abused, then there's a fair case for the triple triangle design making the rear end stronger.

I don't think I've ever heard of a Zaskar frame cracking/failing on this forum?

True - but there are plenty of traditional diamond framed MTBs that pre-date Zaskars still going strong.

 

[jimo746]

Think we need an engineers perspective on this subject (finite element analysis anyone?) , I'm sure one will be along shortly

I know it was supposedly to stiffen the rear triangle of the frame, but tbh I think it's more a GT brand thing, to make their bikes identifiable, a "sales hook" if you like.
Didn't very early GT's have regular frames, without the Triple-triangley bit??

I'd also be interested to hear more about this

 

[petitpal]

From what I've seen of bikes on here the early GTs were diamond framed yes and I'd agree that their adoption of the 'triple triangle' is almost certainly a brand thing. Still interested in why bother at all though (on non-GT bikes) - must offer some sort of advantage to be worth the extra weight / trouble.

Edit: useful having someone posting heaps of beautiful old GTs on here atm http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=236385

 

[gtRTSdh]

I just like the lower angle it gives the seat stays. . . from an engineering and my experience of steel / ally / ti GT's my thoughts are 99% (brilliant) marketing.

 

[shogun]

Almost entirely marketing, I would think the extra performance through added stiffness is negated by extra weld points and weight. A ball burnished, ti, or loudly painted chromoly Triple Triangle bike is certainly a classic image.