nigelhicks Posted August 17, 2011 Posted August 17, 2011 Looks like these puppies may make a debut at Worlds in Champery in a couple of weeks MAYBE!!! http://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/stories/2011/08/16/full_Untitled.jpg?1313541687
Guest Omega Man Posted August 17, 2011 Posted August 17, 2011 (edited) Very nice. Interesting to note that their brake mounts are the old style and not the post mount type. SC doesn't adopt new "standards" for new standards sake. But. Why is it that downhill has lagged behind xc in terms of materials for so long? They've been using carbon in xc bikes for ages. Is it the relatively low volumes of DH bikes? Or maybe that they've been concentrating on perfecting geometry and suspension and are only now getting on to materials. Edited August 17, 2011 by Omega Man
AndreZA Posted August 17, 2011 Posted August 17, 2011 Very nice. Interesting to note that their brake mounts are the old style and not the post mount type. SC doesn't adopt new "standards" for new standards sake. But. Why is it that downhill has lagged behind xc in terms of materials for so long? They've been using carbon in xc bikes for ages. Is it the relatively low volumes of DH bikes? Or maybe that they've been concentrating on perfecting geometry and suspension and are only now getting on to materials. I think it's the strength in material that they were afraid off.
Just Keep Pedaling Posted August 17, 2011 Posted August 17, 2011 Because if you hit your fancy carbon swingarm on a rock you will need a new one. Doesn't matter if you are sponsored, but if you have to fork out 5k yourself...not so pretty.
Guest Omega Man Posted August 17, 2011 Posted August 17, 2011 I think it's the strength in material that they were afraid off. Yeah you probably right. But setting up tooling for relatively low volumes must also be a rather high cost. Interestingly Santa Cruz have been using the swingarm from their Driver 8 bike on the carbon V10.
nigelhicks Posted August 17, 2011 Author Posted August 17, 2011 Yeah there were BIG strength test issues - BUT bear in mind that the GT LOBO Thermoplastic came out in 1998/1999 and had a bonded carbonfibre/thermoplastic frame http://i744.photobucket.com/albums/xx81/gadro/CIMG2984.jpg So the idea has been around for more than 10 years - but no one got the strengths right - UNTIL NOW
nigelhicks Posted August 17, 2011 Author Posted August 17, 2011 Interesting to note that their brake mounts are the old style and not the post mount type. SC doesn't adopt new "standards" for new standards sake. - dude arent you getting confused with the front mounts ... Most if not All bikes i know of still come with 51mm IS (International Standard) mounts on the rear. BUT for the forks some come as a post mount ... ???? is it just me or was last night a biggie??? hahahhaha
Guest Omega Man Posted August 17, 2011 Posted August 17, 2011 - dude arent you getting confused with the front mounts ... Most if not All bikes i know of still come with 51mm IS (International Standard) mounts on the rear. BUT for the forks some come as a post mount ... ???? is it just me or was last night a biggie??? hahahhaha My Makulu has a post mount on the rear. On that GT Lobo. My mate has one hanging in his shop. I'd LOVE to buy it and have it in my bar.
nigelhicks Posted August 17, 2011 Author Posted August 17, 2011 My Makulu has a post mount on the rear. Really???? ... ok i dint know pat used post mount rear ... all the bikes ive ever worked on have IS mounts! - As for the GT ... STUFF YOU ... I'LL buy it to RIDE it!! - always wanted one!! - ask him if he wants to sell!
kosmonooit Posted August 17, 2011 Posted August 17, 2011 Are they using the carbon just to bring the weight down or is there other advantages?
Guest Omega Man Posted August 17, 2011 Posted August 17, 2011 (edited) Really???? ... ok i dint know pat used post mount rear ... all the bikes ive ever worked on have IS mounts! - As for the GT ... STUFF YOU ... I'LL buy it to RIDE it!! - always wanted one!! - ask him if he wants to sell! Ok wait. to clarify. On my bike I have a 180mm rotor on the rear and the brake caliper is just bolted straight onto the frame. that's post mount correct? No adapter. I'm sure it is for sale but expect to pay a premium. And I think it's cracked. like they all did. Edited August 17, 2011 by Omega Man
nigelhicks Posted August 18, 2011 Author Posted August 18, 2011 Are they using the carbon just to bring the weight down or is there other advantages?Its also for stiffness ... the carbon is way stiffer and stronger than Alu .... Check out this for a stealth machine - Peaty and Mr Minn are running the full carbon set up this weekend at Val di Sole http://dirt.mpora.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8845.jpg
nigelhicks Posted August 18, 2011 Author Posted August 18, 2011 carbon framecarbon rimscarbon crankscarbon rear derailleur (not all of it but a lot) AND thats all on a DH rig ... says something about the strength of carbon doesnt it!
kosmonooit Posted August 18, 2011 Posted August 18, 2011 That's one good looking bike there! Carbon really is changing frame design into more organic forms. From what I figure downhill bikes are generally heavy, but they dont seem so anal over weight saving. Remember the WC events are broadcast live on Freecaster (also the XC events)
nigelhicks Posted August 18, 2011 Author Posted August 18, 2011 well if you think that a "normal" alu MTB bike weighs in the region of 12kg with a "light" full sus being aroeund 10kg - then you think of the pro DH bikes weights ... 15 to 16kg ... thats not heavy - most off the shelf DH rigs are around 18-20kg ... but you can get them lighter with parts.
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now