What is missing from this table is the fact that the
top tube and down tube must increase in diameter (and
weight) in order to fit properly to the larger, integrated
head tube. If you increase the diameter of the head
tube without increasing the diameter of the top and
down tubes, the amount of weld area decreases. This
makes for a weaker frame as the most common failure
point is around the weld itself. Also, the crown of
the fork needs to get larger so that it is flush with
the bottom of the head tube. This change to the fork
is nothing but window dressing, no additional strength
or stiffness. Stronger? Maybe the frame is stronger.
You have made it out of bigger, heavier tubing. Again,
at what cost? The fork is the same strength and the
headset is weaker than before. You can build your bridge
out of twice as much steel, if you hold it together
with crappy rivets, it isn't going to be any stronger.
The assembly can only be as strong as the weakest part.
Talk to your shop, email your favorite frame maker,
post your opinion on a newsgroup, write a letter to
a magazine. Forward this bulletin to your riding buddies.
The Product Managers at your favorite frame builders
need to know what you want to have on your next bike.
Send them some email. Don't let your future bike have
this foolish headset. If people don't speak up about
this, we may wind up with no choice at all.
