Ultimate Mountain Bike

rewoga · 02-02-2006, 05:08 AM

Well, what's your ultimate bike...

Here's my wish list (hoping at least one bike manufacturer reads this and builds one some day)

Adjustable travel - on the fly and sitting and pedalling - you know - hit a switch at the bottom of a hill and the travel goes from 8 inches to 3 - like switching gears...kinda like IT from Manitou - but for the back too...

Ajustable geometry - also on the fly when sitting and pedalling...again - I wanna flick a switch to do this. Head angle, seat angle and bottom bracket height. Like this bike: http://www.bionicon.com - but next gen.

Seatpost goes up and down - another switch - like the Gravity Dropper seat post - but integrated...

Gearing - internal all the way - maybe GBOXX with a Rholoff - but I like trigger shifters...enough gears to do everything and anything - no deraullers to rip off.

Brakes - hydraulic disk brakes with the power of Hayes 8 inchers and the modulation of Hope Mono Mini's - all with one finger.

Also - target weight is 25 lbs - or less. Fork must be single crown - air shocks that feel like coils and don't leak - no "platform damping" - just really well set up fully active suspension (seriously - if you can adjust geo and travel to climb - who needs a stable platform??). Finally - must be able to huck, jump, carve, speed along XC single track, do epic fire-road climbs and knarly rocky decents with minimal break-downs...built in GPS would be nice...

So - how bout it bike companies - where's my bike?

And to all those doubters who don't think this bike can be built - what did you ride in 1996? I rode the peak of technology - a Trek Y-33 - crappy leaky air shock with 4 inches of rear travel and a Manitou Mach V SX elastomer front fork with about 3 inches on a hot day, 1.5 when it was cold. It had vee brakes AFTER I upgraded from the trick XTR low-pro canti's I started with. Today I ride a 2003 Norco Fluid - 6 inch Hayes Mag hydro brakes, Fox Vanilla RC rear shock with either 5 or 4 inches rear travel and a Fox Vanilla 125 RLC front fork - WHAT A DIFFERENCE! So - the bike I describe above is only a couple of years away...a true "One Bike"!

Hack On Wheels · 02-02-2006, 05:13 AM

Judging from your description, I think your dream brakes are basically Hope Mono 6ti's. Which I believe have even more power than Hayes, and have that modulation you want.

Wes · 02-02-2006, 05:16 AM

Cool, but:

1)The internal gearing would be rediculously expensive.

2)I think the current quick release seat post design is perfectly adequate, and I don't want to be breaking some sort of electrical seatpost motor gadget...

Also, the only way a bike could be that light is with Ti, or some undiscovered meteorish aloy, and both would be outrageously pricy (esp. meteor metal).

I like the rest though.

Ed von Schleck · 02-02-2006, 05:45 AM

I don´t like the idea of a perfect bike. There would be no progression after that at all. Limits suck and there should always be the chance of pushing the boundaries.

Apart from that, a bike that takes me to every place I want instantly would be nice.

Jeff M · 02-02-2006, 06:26 AM

Too many adjustments is a bad thing. A billion different geometry and travel combinations just mean you will never get used to the bike.

For the brakes I suggest you try something other than Hayes. Pretty much every other brake system on the market has equal power with better modulation and better ergonomics. There is always room for improvement but the current systems from Shimano, Avid, and Magura are already superb. Far ahead of other bike technology in my opinion.

Drivetrains still have a ways to go. I agree with you about the internal gearing. Planetary hubs like Rolholf are decent but still have a long ways to go. Basically I want a full range of gears in a system that doesn't break down, isn't too heavy, and runs with derailleur or greater efficiency.

Tires could also get better. Sticky rubber compounds have made a huge difference but I think companies can do better in terms of producing tires that have lots of grip but don't wear out or shed their side knobs after a week at whistler.

A remotely adjustable seatpost has little appeal for me. For most of my riding I climb, stop and then descend. I can see the appeal in more rolling terrain though.

brace · 02-02-2006, 06:36 AM

Sounds sweet!!

I think a bike like that will be reality in the near future and probably alot sooner than most of us think. As long as the MB market stays strong developement will continue like you say. I can hardly wait to see what comes next.

knowles · 02-02-2006, 06:40 AM

my bike is pretty ultimate...it doesnt have any of those crazy things but it works good for me

FreeRiding Beaver · 02-02-2006, 06:47 AM

the only problem with a bike like that, then bike companies would only have to make one bike, and since the bike could do it all, everyone would ride the same bike, and since its so expensive, few people would bike, then the sport would die.

Couch_Surfer · 02-02-2006, 06:52 AM

the power of hayes 8 inch? setting the bar a little low there.

kevman · 02-02-2006, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Couch_Surfer

the power of hayes 8 inch? setting the bar a little low there.

Oh Hayes have PLENTY of power...

Shameless Plug...Anyone want to buy a F&R set of 8" Hayes Mag's? I've got 3 sets...make me an offer...

Bat Man · 02-02-2006, 08:59 AM

you should be able to set the height of both front and rear suspension and be able to lock it so it doesnt move

and like others have said, a better drivetrain

mattj · 02-02-2006, 09:55 AM

Dude I would never ride your bike. Sounds hideous and it has about 3000 adjustments that I don't think one needs. The way bike technology is right now riders are the ones that have some evolving to do before we need new technology. Yeah bikes have improved a million times over in the last 5-10 years but it's only because we've been discovering what's possible on bikes and WE have been improving and outperforming the available technology...

-m

Kid Riemer · 02-02-2006, 07:33 PM

In actuality, if such a dream bike were possible. There still would be plenty of other models to choose from.

If you could build the dream bike you suggest and hit your target weight of 25 lbs, then they would also be able to build a freeride capable hardtail that would weigh only 17 or 18 lbs.

Or an XC race bike that would weigh just 12 lbs.

That's not to say this is just around the corner or that we will ever even get there, but progression happens with both rider and equiptment. And that's how it should be!

-Kid

rewoga · 02-02-2006, 07:35 PM

Well - so Hayes suck - just want powerful brakes with good modulation.

As for TONS of adjustments - it breaks down like this:

1 clicker for shifting (like Rholoff or Nexus)

1 button for the seat-post (could be optional - I stop and raise/lower it for nasty decents now - maybe not really required...)

Travel/geo could be the same button - like the bionicon... I don't know - I just want these sort of things and I want some bike company to make it work!!!

So - if you don't have the seat-post button you get two shifters and two break levers - just like most bikes expect one changes gears and one changes your geo/travel settings. That would be sweet!

Bryce · 02-02-2006, 08:01 PM

I'm with ya on the drivetrain stuff. I dunno if a 25lb bike could be built strong enough though.

Brakes are pretty much there

02-02-2006, 05:08 AM	#1
rewoga I am Molech!!!! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Courtenay baby! Posts: 7,174 Rep Power: 14422882	Ultimate Mountain Bike Well, what's your ultimate bike... Here's my wish list (hoping at least one bike manufacturer reads this and builds one some day) Adjustable travel - on the fly and sitting and pedalling - you know - hit a switch at the bottom of a hill and the travel goes from 8 inches to 3 - like switching gears...kinda like IT from Manitou - but for the back too... Ajustable geometry - also on the fly when sitting and pedalling...again - I wanna flick a switch to do this. Head angle, seat angle and bottom bracket height. Like this bike: http://www.bionicon.com - but next gen. Seatpost goes up and down - another switch - like the Gravity Dropper seat post - but integrated... Gearing - internal all the way - maybe GBOXX with a Rholoff - but I like trigger shifters...enough gears to do everything and anything - no deraullers to rip off. Brakes - hydraulic disk brakes with the power of Hayes 8 inchers and the modulation of Hope Mono Mini's - all with one finger. Also - target weight is 25 lbs - or less. Fork must be single crown - air shocks that feel like coils and don't leak - no "platform damping" - just really well set up fully active suspension (seriously - if you can adjust geo and travel to climb - who needs a stable platform??). Finally - must be able to huck, jump, carve, speed along XC single track, do epic fire-road climbs and knarly rocky decents with minimal break-downs...built in GPS would be nice... So - how bout it bike companies - where's my bike? And to all those doubters who don't think this bike can be built - what did you ride in 1996? I rode the peak of technology - a Trek Y-33 - crappy leaky air shock with 4 inches of rear travel and a Manitou Mach V SX elastomer front fork with about 3 inches on a hot day, 1.5 when it was cold. It had vee brakes AFTER I upgraded from the trick XTR low-pro canti's I started with. Today I ride a 2003 Norco Fluid - 6 inch Hayes Mag hydro brakes, Fox Vanilla RC rear shock with either 5 or 4 inches rear travel and a Fox Vanilla 125 RLC front fork - WHAT A DIFFERENCE! So - the bike I describe above is only a couple of years away...a true "One Bike"!

02-02-2006, 05:13 AM	#2
Hack On Wheels Team Ewok Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Searching for the Holy Grail Posts: 3,767 Rep Power: 188858	Judging from your description, I think your dream brakes are basically Hope Mono 6ti's. Which I believe have even more power than Hayes, and have that modulation you want. __________________ 22 Pride

02-02-2006, 05:16 AM	#3
Wes Lasqueti Island chillin' Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Nanaimo, Van Isle. Posts: 1,527 Rep Power: 10	Cool, but: 1)The internal gearing would be rediculously expensive. 2)I think the current quick release seat post design is perfectly adequate, and I don't want to be breaking some sort of electrical seatpost motor gadget... Also, the only way a bike could be that light is with Ti, or some undiscovered meteorish aloy, and both would be outrageously pricy (esp. meteor metal). I like the rest though. __________________

02-02-2006, 06:52 AM	#9
Couch_Surfer Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Ivory Tower Posts: 12,756 Rep Power: 10189615	the power of hayes 8 inch? setting the bar a little low there. __________________

02-02-2006, 07:33 PM	#13
Kid Riemer Industry Marketing Person Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota Posts: 19 Rep Power: 0	In actuality, if such a dream bike were possible. There still would be plenty of other models to choose from. If you could build the dream bike you suggest and hit your target weight of 25 lbs, then they would also be able to build a freeride capable hardtail that would weigh only 17 or 18 lbs. Or an XC race bike that would weigh just 12 lbs. That's not to say this is just around the corner or that we will ever even get there, but progression happens with both rider and equiptment. And that's how it should be! -Kid __________________ Kid Riemer, Salsa Cycles

02-02-2006, 05:45 AM	#4
Ed von Schleck the german dude Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Frankfurt, Germany Posts: 1,462 Rep Power: 55371	I don´t like the idea of a perfect bike. There would be no progression after that at all. Limits suck and there should always be the chance of pushing the boundaries. Apart from that, a bike that takes me to every place I want instantly would be nice.

02-02-2006, 06:26 AM	#5
Jeff M Biker Fox Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,119 Rep Power: 112868	Too many adjustments is a bad thing. A billion different geometry and travel combinations just mean you will never get used to the bike. For the brakes I suggest you try something other than Hayes. Pretty much every other brake system on the market has equal power with better modulation and better ergonomics. There is always room for improvement but the current systems from Shimano, Avid, and Magura are already superb. Far ahead of other bike technology in my opinion. Drivetrains still have a ways to go. I agree with you about the internal gearing. Planetary hubs like Rolholf are decent but still have a long ways to go. Basically I want a full range of gears in a system that doesn't break down, isn't too heavy, and runs with derailleur or greater efficiency. Tires could also get better. Sticky rubber compounds have made a huge difference but I think companies can do better in terms of producing tires that have lots of grip but don't wear out or shed their side knobs after a week at whistler. A remotely adjustable seatpost has little appeal for me. For most of my riding I climb, stop and then descend. I can see the appeal in more rolling terrain though.

02-02-2006, 06:36 AM	#6
brace Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 240 Rep Power: 0	Sounds sweet!! I think a bike like that will be reality in the near future and probably alot sooner than most of us think. As long as the MB market stays strong developement will continue like you say. I can hardly wait to see what comes next.

02-02-2006, 06:47 AM	#8
FreeRiding Beaver Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 6 Rep Power: 0	the only problem with a bike like that, then bike companies would only have to make one bike, and since the bike could do it all, everyone would ride the same bike, and since its so expensive, few people would bike, then the sport would die.

02-02-2006, 08:59 AM	#11
Bat Man Im feeling fat and sassy Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Adelaide Posts: 190 Rep Power: 9	you should be able to set the height of both front and rear suspension and be able to lock it so it doesnt move and like others have said, a better drivetrain

02-02-2006, 09:55 AM	#12
mattj inactive Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 3,320 Rep Power: 50450	Dude I would never ride your bike. Sounds hideous and it has about 3000 adjustments that I don't think one needs. The way bike technology is right now riders are the ones that have some evolving to do before we need new technology. Yeah bikes have improved a million times over in the last 5-10 years but it's only because we've been discovering what's possible on bikes and WE have been improving and outperforming the available technology... -m

02-02-2006, 07:35 PM	#14
rewoga I am Molech!!!! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Courtenay baby! Posts: 7,174 Rep Power: 14422882	Well - so Hayes suck - just want powerful brakes with good modulation. As for TONS of adjustments - it breaks down like this: 1 clicker for shifting (like Rholoff or Nexus) 1 button for the seat-post (could be optional - I stop and raise/lower it for nasty decents now - maybe not really required...) Travel/geo could be the same button - like the bionicon... I don't know - I just want these sort of things and I want some bike company to make it work!!! So - if you don't have the seat-post button you get two shifters and two break levers - just like most bikes expect one changes gears and one changes your geo/travel settings. That would be sweet!

02-02-2006, 08:01 PM	#15
Bryce Registered Abuser Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: high as f%*k Posts: 6,979 Rep Power: 3139475	I'm with ya on the drivetrain stuff. I dunno if a 25lb bike could be built strong enough though. Brakes are pretty much there

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