"another interesting thing" about bikes and gear

[krebs303]

While this story is interesting it doesn't need it's own thread.
So here is a home for pics and links about bikes and gear that don't need their own thread.

DIY cycling speed vest tells everyone how fast you’re biking

If you’re not a cyclist, it’s likely you’ve been sitting in your car upset about all the bikers you have to be careful not to hit. A lot of people will honk their horns at bicyclists, thinking they’re riding too slowly, when, in fact, they’re most likely riding at the same speed as the guy honking in the car. Cycling advocate Brady Clark designed a lightweight night-cycling vest that displays the cyclist’s current speed in glowing, 7-inch-tall numbers that’s very visible to drivers.

 

[oldborn]

Miles or Km? Would not wear it if miles, I would be so slow

 

[ElChingon]

Like

 

[42x16ss]

Brilliant idea. I doubt I'm the only person who has had a car speed up to pass them only to hit the brakes when they realise how fast they are really going. Might also help drivers realise how little time they actually lose doe to cyclists.

 

[krebs303]

Man Celebrates 26-Year Reunion — With His Old Racing Bike
Michael Gill is the proud owner of a bicycle. It's not new, and it's not flashy — in fact, right now, it's just a frame. But it's tied to Gill's past, when he rode the Peugeot bike for thousands of miles in the 1980s. That's when he had to part with the elite machine — until last month, when he found it again.

 

[krebs303]

Wireless Brakes for Bikes Developed by Computer Scientists
Scientists at Saarland University have come up with a brake system for bikes that may take awhile to trust. The brakes work wirelessly. It sounds a little risky to potentially trust your life with a wireless brake system but according to the researchers, their new system works perfectly 99.999999999997% of the time.

This bike ditches the brake lever on the handlebars and the cable running down the frame, and instead has a rubber handle that only needs to be squeezed, and a lump of electronics on the frame by the wheel. The tighter a rider squeezes, the harder the disk brake presses on the wheel to slow the bike.

 

[krebs303]

The Kuat Racks Bottle Lock is a bike lock that has the form of a water bottle.

Then you can buy a water bottle in the shape of a U-lock so you can carry water

 

[krebs303]

[url="http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/10/handmade-dutch-wood-bike-]handmade-dutch-wood-bike[/url]
Made out of solid walnut and weighing under 35 pounds, the bike's unique cachet is all in the wheels, which each sport a thick wooden spoke. Drawing attention away from the metal support spokes, the wooden spokes create the impression that there is a continuous line from front wheel, through the frame and all the way to the rear wheel.

 

[krebs303]

designer-bike-metal-wheels-uses-tension-to-roll
there are 18 strips of steel bolted in tension, which allows all the pieces to act as one. The tempered steel also gives the wheels a natural softness where the faster one rides, the smoother it goes.

 

[BroDeal]

Yowza! Moots FrosTi.

http://www.bikerumor.com/2011/10/13/moots-building-limited-run-of-frosti-the-snow-bike/

 

[krebs303]

Yowza! Moots FrosTi.

http://www.bikerumor.com/2011/10/13/moots-building-limited-run-of-frosti-the-snow-bike/

Sweet bike

 

[krebs303]

Minimalist Inner City Bike
With the Inner City Bike’s huge 36″ tires, chainless drive system, and compact frame, the design looks great for sharp, quick turns and applying loads of power directly to the rear wheel – you know, when you need to hop up curbs or sprint past that sparkly purple cruiser bike on the way to the neighborhood café for your morning espresso. The rear hub is freewheeling, with a 1:1 gear ratio to get you moving in a hurry, and the minimalist frame is an eye catcher.

 

[bc_hills]

^^ looks twitchy!

 

[Boeing]

140mm rear spacing for mountain bikes???

also

Wheel size specific travel for front shock forks? Will 29 be the xc model and 2 be the long travel basis for mass production?

 

[krebs303]

A Leather Bag To Enhance Your Cycling Status

Cyclists everywhere extol the virtues of the Brooks leather saddle. Once that hard leather molds to your ***, it's the most comfortable way to ride. And it's handsome, too, as is the Brooks shoulder bag.

Leave those synthetic messenger bags to the peons on their fixies and invest instead in a more refined satchel. Sure, the Brooks Barbican is a bit heavier and a tad more expensive ($400)

 

[usedtobefast]

A Leather Bag To Enhance Your Cycling Status

Cyclists everywhere extol the virtues of the Brooks leather saddle. Once that hard leather molds to your ***, it's the most comfortable way to ride. And it's handsome, too, as is the Brooks shoulder bag.

Leave those synthetic messenger bags to the peons on their fixies and invest instead in a more refined satchel. Sure, the Brooks Barbican is a bit heavier and a tad more expensive ($400)

nice murse

 

[richwagmn]

Brilliant idea. I doubt I'm the only person who has had a car speed up to pass them only to hit the brakes when they realise how fast they are really going. Might also help drivers realise how little time they actually lose doe to cyclists.

Or cars pulling out in front of you because you must be doing 10mph or so.

 

[krebs303]

Reflective 'Lightning Vest' makes bikers super visible at night

As riding a bike becomes more posh than driving a car, it's important that we have appropriate reflective gear to pedal around in the dark. Thankfully, Dargelos' "Lightning Vest" has all bikers covered.
Lightning Vests are unisex and come in sizes S-L for $80. Price too steep for you? Know that each vest is handmade in Brooklyn, New York.

 

[krebs303]

Gates Corp. works to transform bikes with belts in lieu of chains

The Denver-based Gates Corp.'s innovative belts changed car engines decades ago. Today, the century-old company's carbon-fiber belts are transforming bikes.

Like disc brakes and full suspension — technology that revolutionized biking — Gates' 3-year-old Carbon Drive belt system could eliminate the venerable bicycle chain.

"This is equally as game-changing," says Gates business development manager Frank Scurlock as he rolls out a bike sporting the unique belt system.

Thirty years ago, Gates suggested its toothy rubber timing belts were tenable successors to timing chains in cars, arguing that its patented belts were stronger, longer lasting and virtually maintenance-free. Today, nearly half of all new cars sport timing belts.

Gates, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, is hoping its carbon-fiber belt system will similarly recast bike anatomy. And for a company that bills itself as "the world's most trusted name in belts, hose and hydraulics," the bike belt can reintroduce consumers to an industrial brand that has spent several decades tucking its inventive designs deep inside factories and engines.

The advantages of the Carbon Drive system — which costs about $200 more than a traditional chain set-up — are similar to the benefits of belts in car engines: near-instant engagement versus the subtle lag of a chain, hassle-free, longer life span, much lighter than a chain and virtually silent operation.

 

[Rip:30]

Gates Corp. works to transform bikes with belts in lieu of chains

The Denver-based Gates Corp.'s innovative belts changed car engines decades ago. Today, the century-old company's carbon-fiber belts are transforming bikes.

Like disc brakes and full suspension — technology that revolutionized biking — Gates' 3-year-old Carbon Drive belt system could eliminate the venerable bicycle chain.

"This is equally as game-changing," says Gates business development manager Frank Scurlock as he rolls out a bike sporting the unique belt system.

Thirty years ago, Gates suggested its toothy rubber timing belts were tenable successors to timing chains in cars, arguing that its patented belts were stronger, longer lasting and virtually maintenance-free. Today, nearly half of all new cars sport timing belts.

Gates, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, is hoping its carbon-fiber belt system will similarly recast bike anatomy. And for a company that bills itself as "the world's most trusted name in belts, hose and hydraulics," the bike belt can reintroduce consumers to an industrial brand that has spent several decades tucking its inventive designs deep inside factories and engines.

The advantages of the Carbon Drive system — which costs about $200 more than a traditional chain set-up — are similar to the benefits of belts in car engines: near-instant engagement versus the subtle lag of a chain, hassle-free, longer life span, much lighter than a chain and virtually silent operation.

these have been out for a few years... I haven't gotten to ride one yet, but I'd like to give it a try. Downsides are that you need a frame where you can split the rear triangle somehow to get the belt installed, and you can't shift like how a chain can.

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

these have been out for a few years... I haven't gotten to ride one yet, but I'd like to give it a try. Downsides are that you need a frame where you can split the rear triangle somehow to get the belt installed, and you can't shift like how a chain can.

I think that was the whole point of doing a belt drive, it is possible to have fun on a bike with one gear contrary to popular belief. And if you really need to shift you can run internally geared hubs like Rohloff and Nexus. I've ridden mtb's with Gate's belt drive, both SS and geared. Fantastic!! Where I think it really shines is as a SS commuter drivetrain, quiet, durable, and virtually no maintenance.

 

[Rip:30]

I think that was the whole point of doing a belt drive, it is possible to have fun on a bike with one gear contrary to popular belief. And if you really need to shift you can run internally geared hubs like Rohloff and Nexus. I've ridden mtb's with Gate's belt drive, both SS and geared. Fantastic!! Where I think it really shines is as a SS commuter drivetrain, quiet, durable, and virtually no maintenance.

Well I'm with you that SSs are fun. But I don't think that's the whole point of the belt drive. My chain driven SSs are also virtually maintenace free, and a whole lot cheaper.

 

[krebs303]

Just thinking of possibilities. Impact absorbing Rims? How light a frame?
I'm sure the cost would be prohibitive for some time.
Any Ideas?

World's Lightest Solid Takes Inspiration From Eiffel Tower

A metallic lattice of hair-thin pipes is now the lightest solid yet created — less dense than air, scientists revealed.

The strategy used to create these intricate structures could lead to revolutionary materials of extraordinary strength and lightness.

"We're envisioning applications in structural components, such as in aerospace," Schaedler said. "Its energy-absorption capabilities might also make it useful for acoustic-, vibration- and shock-damping. We can control the architecture on the millimeter, micrometer and nanometer scales, to design materials with tailored properties for specific applications, if we want."

The researchers are now experimenting with lattices made of other kinds of materials. "We should be able to make lattices of any thin-film material — for instance, diamond, polymers and ceramics," Schaedler said.

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

Well I'm with you that SSs are fun. But I don't think that's the whole point of the belt drive. My chain driven SSs are also virtually maintenace free, and a whole lot cheaper.

It's not really about SS, but I think it's makes the most sense to run it that way, and you can build a geared belt drive system, but maintenance is the #1 factor either way. Sure it costs more, but we burn through more than a couple sets of chain drive parts, or at least I do, in the time you have to replace just a belt, and no chain lube either. So, It's pretty much a wash when it comes to cost, maybe even a bit of savings.

Though the one requirement is that you have a belt drive compatible bike. So with that it is more money. I'm taking a hard look at the Van Dessel WTF for next season.

I also run Gate's upper and lower radiator hoses in my truck...

 

[Maxiton]

Just thinking of possibilities. Impact absorbing Rims? How light a frame?
I'm sure the cost would be prohibitive for some time.
Any Ideas?

World's Lightest Solid Takes Inspiration From Eiffel Tower

A metallic lattice of hair-thin pipes is now the lightest solid yet created — less dense than air, scientists revealed.

The strategy used to create these intricate structures could lead to revolutionary materials of extraordinary strength and lightness.

"We're envisioning applications in structural components, such as in aerospace," Schaedler said. "Its energy-absorption capabilities might also make it useful for acoustic-, vibration- and shock-damping. We can control the architecture on the millimeter, micrometer and nanometer scales, to design materials with tailored properties for specific applications, if we want."

The researchers are now experimenting with lattices made of other kinds of materials. "We should be able to make lattices of any thin-film material — for instance, diamond, polymers and ceramics," Schaedler said.

I had the same thoughts when I saw this article. This material might be ideally suited for rims/spokes/hubs if it is strong enough and they could make it affordable.