Is the Volae Monotube frame efficient?
In the diamond frame bike world, efficiency in transferring energy from the rider to the rear wheel is commonly referred to as frame efficiency. Movement at the bottom bracket is the telltale sign of an inefficient frame. However, this diamond frame logic does not transfer perfectly to the recumbent frame situation. In the recumbent world frame efficiency (determined by movement of the bottom bracket) is only part of the equation. In fact, the definition of “frame” itself is somewhat blurred compared to upright bikes. On a recumbent (unlike an upright) the seat, seat attachment hardware and seat stays all provide a platform for the rider to push against when pedaling. Does this make them part of the frame? Also, chain management is a recumbent specific issue not found on uprights that affects the efficient transfer of energy but is clearly not part of the frame. At Volae we think of the Energy Transmission System (ETS) as a more comprehensive means for analyzing energy transmission fro
