Cycle 09: Questions with Andy Walser

Here are Andy Walser’s replies to your questions.

1. ‘franc’ says
Q. Did you learn or discover anything by mistake?

A.Of course, most of the times when you try something you discover something that you did not expect would happen. When I did position tests once I had to take the brake away because the cables were too short after we moved the handlebars, then I discovered that it does not matter where the brake is, or if there is a brake or not at the bike. So while others can bring the proof that their brakes behind the forks and covering the brakes is much better, this proof I did not find, not in a wind tunnel and not in a practical test. This accident because of too short cables brings the circumstance now that I do not think it makes much sense to think about covered brakes and things like this.

2. ‘Aaron Cooper’ says
Q. Andy, A lot of attention is given to carbon of late. People brag about their stiffness and compliance at the same time. For the average rider, is there a difference? I ride Titanium right now. I bought it because I heard it’s the best riding material. Now, I hear that carbon rides a lot better.
Also, what aspects of carbon design make it compliant? Some are harsh and stiff, and some soft (think Robaix). Or, am I too caught up in the reviews and should be riding more ;-)

A. I do not think there is a difference between a soft carbon frame and a soft aluminium or titanium frame. You have to make the choice between a stiff frame and a soft frame, it is not possible to have both at the same time unless you fit a suspension. It does not make sense in my eyes to take a stiff material and make soft frames, then I should take a soft material and use this for it’s soft properties.

The biggest place for ‘feeling’ stiffness or softness is more in the seat post and wheels. If you measure how much the frame flexes in the vertical, it is always less than the flex in the wheels, seat post and tyres.

3. ‘Dubber’ says
Q. Andy, what’s on the cards for future frame builds?

A. Together with the athletes I work with I will try to make them faster, I go forward step by step. Since 2000 I have gone forward in this way and most of the time people did not notice.

4. ‘Blender’ says
Q. What influences you to create awesome TT frames?

A. I worked for a Formula 1 team once and I had a bit of experience in carbon fibre, then in 1992 I saw Chris Boardman on his Lotus in Barcelona and I was fascinated by what they have done and I wanted to build something like that too. The spark which finally made me begin a couple of years later came from my friend Michael Rich who is still my test rider today.

5. ‘Eliot’ says
Q. Do you do any TTs?

A. I have done some competitions 15 years ago on an amateur level and I was not the slowest. Today I ride my bike just for pleasure, to enjoy it. And, I have to admit I do not ride TT bikes very often.

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