Are linear tracking arms better than pivoted arms?

I suppose a linear tonearm with a very short wand will have lower effective vertical mass than any pivot arm. Such a linear arm may place less stress on cartridge suspension relative to a pivot arm. The horizontal mass of a linear arm will always be greater than a pivot arm. However the friction/stiction of an air bearing is less than a pivot. This advantage might at least partial off-set the disadvantage of relatively greater horizontal mass.

Can anyone comment on these linked variables of vertical mass, horizontal mass, and friction as they collectively bear on cartridge wear, or for that matter, on sonic performance? Is there a threshold of low horizontal mass on an air bearing arm, beneath which stylus wear becomes an irrelevancy? For example, Trans-Fi has horizontal mass on order of 85gm.

So many variables and so little time.

Mepearson :I already said that the scientific way (controlled experiment) was best in this matter. Only In its absence I suggested that each of us be the judge according to the evidence presented. I do not see how your hatred of the jury trial process (heck, we all hate it) has any relevance to the subject at hand.
All I have by way of evidence is my personal experience with one tonearm. Since my experience is at variance with the theory advanced, namely that my cartridge life will be shortened and my sound distorted ("poor performance and quicker wear of the cartridge"), I simply want some proof. I am open to your suggestions of how to solve this problem.

Let us not forget that pivot arm also has friction (owing to slow tracking speed, this is static and not dynamic coefficient of friction) at the bearing and due to this friction the arm would also have "+/- X force" (x force normal to the pivot arm longitudinal axis). This is in addition to the y component working along axis of the arm. Any ME or SE can draw a simple free body diagram to balance primary force vectors.

Your intuition would tell you that this force would be lower than that in the linear arms, but it depends. It depends on the effective static mass at the friction interface- longer and heavier the arm, greater the friction force. Thus longer and heavier arms with mechanical pivot/bearing may have higher friction force than say shorter wand on linear arm with mechanical 'sliding friction' bearing.( an air bearing would even be further lower)

Of course, we are talking about a small force values here- tenth of grams. milli grams or even micro grams of friction force depending upon the arm mass etc.

It would be good to know how and what design load s cartridges (the stylus, suspension and suspension to cartridge body interface) and are designed at. Static and dynamic loads. Naturally owing to the function of cartridge, the stylus and the rest of the 'structure' would be designed with cantilever beam loading idealization and thus would have certain design capability (static and cyclic based fatigue) in both x and y directions (and of course the z direction) to be be able to withstand x and y load induced during tracking wavy grooves.

So without looking at hard numbers on free body with two samples of linear and pivot arms it is hard to say which one has more x (excessive damaging forces). I tend to think air bearing linear arm would be approaching (Or even lower than) light weight pivot arm.

Rather than generalization, I would like to see free body force values for a set up compared with cartridge design values (both static and fatigue(-number of cycles- I bet you cart manufacturers should have this)

Until then the real life experiences are good indication to base the 'judgement' on. And we do have experiences from both camp.

Nilthepill, interesting points. In the horizontal a linear air bearing design has the advantage of zero static or dynamic friction. Moreover, assuming good eccentricity of LP, within certain limits the higher lateral mass of a linear arm could actually be an advantage, insofar as an inertial mass with constant momentum toward spindle would tend to reduce centripital force required to advance stylus.

Agreed, Dgarretson!