@GEDA - my first "Cleland" is still being built up. This from a correspondent who's been riding them for years:
"The ethos of the Cleland is that of a competition trials mototbike, where getting off and walking is not allowed. It is in fact a trials motorbike minus the engine.
When climbing you lean forwards, just like a mountain bike, but your elboes bend further until your chest almost touches the handlebars. The Cleland NRS has a stem that can rotate 90 degrees, forwards and down, for long climbs and headwinds. It is when climbing out of the saddle that the Cleland is totally different. You stand upright and lean towards the hill to balance the weight between the wheels. (The torque reaction trying to lift the rear wheel is much easier to control on a cleland). The Clelands are good climbers, but out of the saddle, the NRS version is exceptional and can climb 44%+ incline (rises 44mm for every 100mm traveled). I'am still trying to work out why this is.
All the Clelands main features are designed to keep it going no matter what.
* High bottom bracket (so the peddals don't hit the ground)
* Short chainstays to keep the rider's weight over the rear wheel
* 650B or 700C wheel size (for maximum grip/minimum rolling resitance)
* Short distance from handlebars to saddle (this is more to do with comfort and keeping your body weight off the arms)
* Massive mud clearance (so it won't clog)
* Stayless mudguards and mudflaps (To keep rider and bike clean above the knee, and front whhel mud off the drive chain. Also so they won't clog and to stop twigs from snagging)
other important features are:
*low tyre pressures for (for maximum grip/minimum rolling resitance & comfort)
*Sprung saddle (for comfort though suspension does a better job).
*High handlebars to keep your weight rearward, off your arms and allow for swift adjustments of body mass.
*A light and controllable front end that can easilly be lifted out of wheeltraps, over logs etc, and doesn't dig into mud or sand.
*reliable, progressive, and mudproof brakes.
*drive train protection from mud comming off the rear wheel.
The Cleland NRS has some new features that are being evaluated, like the Shimano Inter8 hub gears that can be changed between any ratio instantly, even when climbing a steep hill.
The Cleland bicycle more 'alternative' than its tradditional looks would suggest.
You can see the steering geometry details on the 'Highpath' drawing."
