How to Stretch a Bicycle Frame?
Have you been looking for a bike with a stretched frame for too long? Trust me, you are not alone in this. I, myself, had quite a journey searching for one like that – before I realized stretched frames are mostly customized.
And soon enough, I realized that would be able to stretch it by myself as well. So, I started my 38-hour-long research on how to stretch a bicycle frame. Initially, it was quite difficult to come across accurate information.
But soon enough, I gathered everything there is to know about stretching a bicycle. To make sure you don’t have to go through the same thing as I did, I will be sharing all my insights with you right here.
Why Should I Stretch My Bicycle Frame?
If you are not familiar with people stretching their bikes all that much, then it is quite normal to wonder why anyone should do it. Quite obviously, this is mostly done for aesthetic purposes.
Bikes that have been freshly out of the factory are not stretched – so it is quite easy to tell the difference. However, looks are not the only matter of concern here; in fact, stretching helps bikes go faster when facing.
You wouldn’t have to change the specs of the bike to make it go faster – stretching itself does the trick. Especially when it comes to sports bikes, most owners would prefer to stretch them. However, stretching also means you will have to put in more work when riding the bike.
Where Can I Stretch My Bicycle Frame?
Now, when you stretch the frame of a bicycle, you can’t expect to stretch all of it – in fact, there are some specific areas that you can work on. And we will be discussing those right here.
- Rear Wishbones and Lower Side Rails
Stretching these segments will let you lower your seat height, which will ensure the stance that will make your bike go faster, and at the same time, the wheelbase can be extended as well.
- Front Down-Tubes
For these segments of your bike, you can only stretch them or extend them upwards.
- Backbone
Many people prefer to stretch the backbone only, as it can be extended forward; however, you can combine it with a few other stretches for the best results.
How to Stretch a Bicycle Frame?
There are various methods of stretching a bicycle frame. And we will be discussing them all so that you can choose the best one for yourself.
- Rear Stretch
In this method, you will have to stretch the frame rearward by three inches and move the axle plates by one inch. This will give the bike a lower profile and make it look sufficiently stretched. For this, you need to stretch the lower side rails and the rear wishbones.
- Backbone Stretch
If you are going to use this method, then you will have to move the steering head forward by four inches and maintain the stock angle at the same time. In this case, the angle will change on the down-tubes and kink altogether to give the bike a more stretched outlook.
- Down-Tube Stretch
If you are focusing on changing the top tube angle, then this is the method you should go for. In this method, you will have to stretch the down-tubes by four inches; simultaneously, you will have to stretch the stock angle as well. It is the most hassle-free method and requires the least work.
- Combination Stretch
As you can tell by the name of the method, it is a combination of the overall frame stretch. In this case, you will have to extend both the top tubes and the down tubes. The length of the extension depends on how much you want to stretch the bike.
Final Words
Learning how to stretch a bicycle frame and implementing it is easier than you would think. It can be a little tricky to get across the methods, but once you do, it will be totally worth it.