What does 'Lively' mean?
therichieboy
Posts: 58
Hi All,
I've been cycling for decades but am new to bike forums so don't understand all the jargon.
This is probably the most naiive question ever but what is actually meant by the terms 'lively', 'lifeless' etc etc that I see used to describe bike handling?
I've been cycling for decades but am new to bike forums so don't understand all the jargon.
This is probably the most naiive question ever but what is actually meant by the terms 'lively', 'lifeless' etc etc that I see used to describe bike handling?
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Comments
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I equate lively with springy. Good steel frames are most noted for this. When you pedal along you have the sensation of being propelled or sprung forward, feeling all the irregularities in the road in a smooth, sensitive sort of a way as opposed to a harsh frame which will be a very stiff and pounding type of sensation over bumps. Lifeless, wooden or dead would be kind of like comparing a tube made of lead (weight not withstanding) to a tube of spring steel. The lead just thuds without relaying any sense of feel or vibration, i.e. lifeless ,while the steel will kind of bounce and ring. Some early carbon as well as some poorer quality newer CF frames can have a dead feel to them. That would be a very general description of course. Any material can be built to have any of those qualities but each has an inherent weakness or strength. Does that clarify things?0
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Yes, thanks! Sounds about what I had in mind. I like the sound of lively- just need to find a lively bike for £600 now!0
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I had a feeling it also relates to frame geometry and responsiveness, no? Road bikes have tight, short geometry which propels the bike forward very easily and makes it "twitchy" and responsive to your body's movements. On my Focus I feel that I can almost steer by moving my body, by leaning or using my knees, yet my chunkier, heavier old mountain bike feels like it takes longer to respond and is heavier to accelerate. The MTB is aluminium and the Focus is carbon.Do not write below this line. Office use only.0
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My understanding of lively has always been very quick steering to the point of twitchiness. Short stem / steep head tube angles / short wheelbase etc0
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Exactly, that's my feeling to. "Race bred" bikes are generally lively. I'm sure materials make a difference as well though. Carbon certainly feels spongier than steel I think....Do not write below this line. Office use only.0
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Guess it depends on the rider 8)Boo-yah mofo
Sick to the power of rad
Fix it 'till it's broke0 -
Wether a bike is 'lively' or 'lifeless' is more to do with the frame geometry than the material. A lively bike is rather like a race car in it responds immediatley to any input wether from rider or road. This can make them a bit tiresome to ride but they are ideal for criterium riding. Lifeless is right at the other end of things. Usually the angles will be slack and the wheel base will be long. These are good for touring with heavy panniers etc as they take a bit of moving from there present path.0
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Yeah, obviously I know what a lively race car feels like. It's just that I gave them up long ago
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therichieboy wrote:Hi All,
I've been cycling for decades but am new to bike forums so don't understand all the jargon.
This is probably the most naiive question ever but what is actually meant by the terms 'lively', 'lifeless' etc etc that I see used to describe bike handling?
If in the UK forget the terms, roads so shit cannot tell the difference 0 -
I posted shxt not shoot !!0
