October 5, 200520 yr I was playing around designing some variations of trials bikes using lightweight materials and I think it would be possible to produce a 250cc machine with suitable strength below 60Kg in total weight.(Based on using a GasGas engine) My question is, How much would someone be willing to pay for a bike like this.
October 5, 200520 yr it all depends on looks,weight,handling and power. But i would like to see your design and list of what materials are being used.
October 5, 200520 yr is this thw thing you were talking to me and simon about when we went practising?
October 5, 200520 yr This is almost, kinda, sorta, the same topic... My 2 mates are Montesa nutters and they can't get over the fact that there is no longer a 2st Mont (lightweight) so they are planning their own. Has anyone any experience ( drawings if poss') of cutting down the frame on a 315. They've got the frame marked out and don't think I can bear to look when they start cutting
October 5, 200520 yr How about a Gas Gas pro 80 engine in a megamo trials pedal bike frame useing the same tyres, brakes etc, the power to weight ratio would be insane!
October 5, 200520 yr Author is this thw thing you were talking to me and simon about when we went practising? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Yes Daz, after I had a chat with you I thought I would take a look at it to see what I could come up with. Just a concept at this stage but im sure its possible.
October 5, 200520 yr Author it all depends on looks,weight,handling and power. But i would like to see your design and list of what materials are being used. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Looks are insignificant Weight I have already said Handling - dont know till I built it but I would plan to make the same or similar COG to current designs so should be good. Power - bit of a naive question as the power to weight ratio would significantly increase if the overall weight decreases Materials: Titanium, Carbon Fibre, A variety of plastics and composites . Really too early to tell exactly as its just a concept.. I havent built anything as yet.. The idea is to see what people would pay for a bike this light.. then I might just do it. And I wont be hacking another bike. It would be designed and built from scratch.
October 5, 200520 yr How about a Gas Gas pro 80 engine in a megamo trials pedal bike frame useing the same tyres, brakes etc, the power to weight ratio would be insane! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Until someone sat on it?
October 5, 200520 yr Surely there has to be a cut off point where too light is no good, the traction has to come from some where. I'm sure gasgas and other factory brands have looked into this already but if any of them were to produce a bike with as little weight as your concept where would the others be? I think it has a lot to do with sensible advances each year, every manufacturer improves on the previous year just enough to keep selling their latest models.Just my opinion!
October 5, 200520 yr Author I'm sure gasgas and other factory brands have looked into this already but if any of them were to produce a bike with as little weight as your concept where would the others be? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> To build an Ultra Light bike is gonna cost. Design time & prototyping using expensive materials, it all adds up. Trials bikes are sold to the massess as cheaply as possible. Would the average rider pay 6-10k for a trials bike. I dont think so but if a good rider could gain a significant advantage , then maybe they would pay it.. Surely there has to be a cut off point where too light is no good, the traction has to come from some where. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Traction is all relative.. does a spider have problems going vertical up a wall ??
October 5, 200520 yr <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Would that make the ultimate section a giant bathtub? You annoy me Ian just because I don't have the noggin to do it How about, for us lardies, producing a 300 Gasser in a heavier version, one made of metal, with real threads and everything.
October 5, 200520 yr How about a Gas Gas pro 80 engine in a megamo trials pedal bike frame useing the same tyres, brakes etc, the power to weight ratio would be insane!
October 5, 200520 yr Seems a great idea "AtomAnt". there arn't many one-off trialsbikes around, the only one that you see regularly is that 'Birkett Special' thing, with a TYZ engine. He made that quite a long time ago now and its done about every national trial you can think off and still going. A really trick 2 stroke mont would be good as someone said. Got me head goin' now Ian!
October 5, 200520 yr Author I noticed that Scorpa claim to have made their 4T lighter using a new frame design. It is possible using the software we use to produce a 3D model of an existing bike frame, then run stress analysis to determine places which are 'too' strong and lighten this area to make an overall lighter frame. Making it after would be the tricky bit! although we do use a process of DMLS (Direct Metal Laser Sintering) which is pretty damn cool and can produce some really trick components. but at
October 5, 200520 yr You really are the Uber-geek! If I didn't know you I'd be thinking "he's full of sh*t" I would love to see it done. Remember you need to sleep some time.
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