Mountain Biking - WHAT? Check this thing out!

Hey guys Maelstrom showd me this and I figured I'd post it in here... Tell me what you think! :D

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2003/news/feb03/honda.jpg

Looks like the same concept as a Balfa. No rear derailleur, but a twin chainring up front to an internally geared hub. That's also one weird ash looking saddle!

L8R

What about that fork...looks like it came right off a cr80 or cr125...ha ha ha.:D

Is there an article about this bike on CyclingNews?

I found this at a different website:
Feb. 3 TOKYO, Japan - Honda Motor Co. has developed a mountain bike, called RN01, for downhill racing that it plans to enter in competition this year to develop its technical expertise and enhance the bike's performance, the company said on Feb. 3. Features of the bike, called RN01, include a specially reinforced frame and a suspension system made by Kayaba Industry Co. (Kyodo)

Joe,

Look at the last article on this (http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/?id=2003/feb03/feb06news2) page.

SteveE

Damned ugly. But I think with their money and r&d they should help the industry if they really push it.

I'll bet Honda could do a better job at building bicycles, then Cannondale did building motorcycles......

Man that's funny poo poo.....HA HA HA I'm rolling on the floor.
:roflmao:

Funny poo poo eh? That's what the F1 guys said when Honda wanted to go racing. If you know anything about Honda, you know that if they want to, they can dominate anything.

Funny how every downhiller is talking about Curnutt suspension on the Foes bikes. How many of you know that Charlie Curnutt makes those shocks after work in his spare time? His daytime job? Charlie works for American Honda in the Special Projects group, Honda's "Skunk Works". Funny poo poo, ha ha. Be afraid, be very afraid.

The pic is now im my sig on a honda forum a frequent.:D

Perhaps they should spend the R&D money on building better cars :o

Originally posted by Jim311
Perhaps they should spend the R&D money on building better cars :o

But that wouldn't be any fair to the other manufacturers:rolleyes:

Originally posted by Jim311
Perhaps they should spend the R&D money on building better cars :o

Yes, perhaps that way they can equal the high quality standards of General Motors and Ford.









:rolleyes:

Originally posted by KrisA
Yes, perhaps that way they can equal the high quality standards of General Motors and Ford.









:rolleyes:


HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! I have noticed that American cars, at least in america aren't built to as high a quality standards as hondas. I am impressed by honda's quality and saddened at the same time that ford, GM and Crysler cannot dominate in their own turf. Its a bit pathetic.

I know a guy that has a honda accord from 1988, w/ 300,000 miles on it, and it still runs. My ford Windstar however, only has 110,000 and we have to get rid of it because it is leaking anti-freeze into the engine, causing anti-freeze fumes to leak into the cabin. Want another example? How many recalls has the ford focus have? 100?:(

I support our contries industries just as much as the next guy, but it is a bit pathetic that a company like honda can just come a pull the rug out from under well-established companies in just a few years.

Originally posted by Lost Coyote
Funny poo poo eh? That's what the F1 guys said when Honda wanted to go racing. If you know anything about Honda, you know that if they want to, they can dominate anything.

Funny how every downhiller is talking about Curnutt suspension on the Foes bikes. How many of you know that Charlie Curnutt makes those shocks after work in his spare time? His daytime job? Charlie works for American Honda in the Special Projects group, Honda's "Skunk Works". Funny poo poo, ha ha. Be afraid, be very afraid.

DUDE! if you noticed I was the one that posted that bike!!! I wasn't laughing at the bike..duh, I was laughing at the comment about honda making better bicycles than cannondale makes motorcycles...jeez! READ Everything before you jump all over my case!

:beer:

I guess we have some Honda afficionados in here, eh? :D


I was just pokin' fun. I've never liked Honda's because they've got no SOUL! Everyone drives a damn Accord! They might be reliable, but I'll take some originality and soul for a little less reliability.


My Jeep is running strong with no major repairs at 90k miles, and there's no major repairs that I see in the future. There are some very reliable domestic motors, you just have to konw which ones to buy! Jeep's inline six is an extremely reliable motor, which is why it's been used for decades and is still used today. I know guys who are pushing 200K+ miles on theirs.

I was just joking around... don't get your panties in a wad guys.. drive what you please :p

A lot of panties bunching up in this thread :D

Hey I don't have any panties to bunch....I go CAMANDO! ha ha ha just kidding all. :beer:

Sorry Slcpunk21, you are right, I took your posting out of context. I grew up racing motorcycles with Charlie Curnutt and I have buds who work at Honda in a number of different divisions. Including Special Projects, Automotive, and Motocross. For some reason I thought you were laughing at Honda's bike. If Honda decides to turn thier attention towards something, you can bet they will be among the best. The biggest mistake Bobby Rahal made in Indy cars was not sticking with Honda long enough. If Honda has the desire, give them a little time they will be on the podium. They have the money and they have the R&D people. Honda is so good at building quality technology, it really is scary.

Besides look at my signature ;-)

I'll bet Honda could do a better job at building bicycles, then Cannondale did building motorcycles......

That is funny poo poo!

Good luck to Honda on this endeavor.

BTW, has anyone heard any more news about Cannondale?

L8R

Hey Last Coyote....i kinda jumped the gun on your butt! I shoulda put in quotes that I was replying to the other reply! No worries man, it's all good, and your right about honda! I'm scared to see who else they get riding for them...! I have a feeling if they do fallow through on this, us americans will be getting our butts handed to us on a silver platter! ha ha.

Looking at the design I think they are going to be doing alot of changing on it sooner than later! But for a first start...or even a second or third or hell for most other bike companies it's a good bike..ha ha ha :beer:

Guys in industry there is tradition. I used to study aerospace engineering and mathematics and i was into engineering stuff and design. A company needs to have tradition into something in order to get good results. Tradition means to have experienced mechanics and designers for bikes lets say. Honda hasnt got guys like that. Giant is the best company for that as she boasts r&d labs inside every university laboratory in Taiwan (info from a taiwanese student and friend). Specialized, CDale Trek Bianchi Colnago share the same level of expertise. So unless Honda buys out some of the personnel of the above companies she will never produce a good superbike.

Yannis.

Originally posted by Phatman
How many recalls has the ford focus have? 100?:(


I find it strange that the focus recieved an award in Europe for being reliable.

Originally posted by Ktulu
I find it strange that the focus recieved an award in Europe for being reliable.

That is funny. Can you say Ford owned/or influenced publication.

Sweet looking bike. I bet Honda can build it better, cheaper. I'm American through and through, but I'm a realist too. BTW- a Jeep and a GMC are what's in my driveway. I did have a gas-guzzling fire-belching classic Bronc in the shop but that had to be sold to buy a few other toys.

Funny how threads go from dh bikes to jeeps and broncs heheh

Sam- nice avatar!

Originally posted by MikeOK
Sweet looking bike. I bet Honda can build it better, cheaper. I'm American through and through, but I'm a realist too. BTW- a Jeep and a GMC are what's in my driveway. I did have a gas-guzzling fire-belching classic Bronc in the shop but that had to be sold to buy a few other toys.

Funny how threads go from dh bikes to jeeps and broncs heheh

Sam- nice avatar!


Thanks Mike, got it off the site I have linked in my sig. Had to make it a bit smaller.

I want one of these bikes!! Drool.....

I am a jeep owner as well, love to wheel it when I get a chance.
I am about to embark on a new project. Either a rock buggy or a old CJ.

Originally posted by math2p14
Guys in industry there is tradition. I used to study aerospace engineering and mathematics and i was into engineering stuff and design. A company needs to have tradition into something in order to get good results. Tradition means to have experienced mechanics and designers for bikes lets say. Honda hasnt got guys like that. Giant is the best company for that as she boasts r&d labs inside every university laboratory in Taiwan (info from a taiwanese student and friend). Specialized, CDale Trek Bianchi Colnago share the same level of expertise. So unless Honda buys out some of the personnel of the above companies she will never produce a good superbike.

Yannis.

Yannis, I think we are talking about a Downhill Bike.

Honda has a long tradition of building two wheeled, full suspension off-road equipment. Seems to me, they were designing off-road suspension systems with 8" + travel (front and rear) way before any bicycle mfgr. had a production Mtb with or without what was being passed off as suspension. Elastimer forks Ha! Ha! Besides changing materials, what have frame mfgrs Bianchi (I ride a Bianchi), Colnago, or even Giant done thats new in the last 40 years? R&D efforts by Giant and other Taiwan mfgrs are spent reverse engineering other products and developing mass producton techniques. I'm not saying that what's made in Taiwan is junk, no not at all. In fact, I can't believe how they can produce the quality and the quantity at the price they do. It's amazing.

But R&D, and developing technology?? Please back up your claim with pictures of Downhill technology developed by any of the companies you mentioned (or others for that matter), that doesn't use technology developed by Honda or other motorcycle companies.:beer:

Hmmmmm....


it looks like the Rice Rocket of bikes has arrived.

Where can I stick the yellow stickers, the 20" blingin' chrome rims, and the duct-tape-on body kit? How about the fart can? ... where can that go?

:rolleyes:

Downhill bikes and motorcyles are two totally different things. Sure, they share some characteristics.. but things change when you have to PEDAL!! Also weight becomes a big aspect, but on a motorcycle... 2 or 3 pounds isn't gonna matter. I think Honda can do it, but we'll see how many people will buy a Honda mountain bike.. I for one wouldn't ride a Honda. I'll give my money to the smaller companies.. I hate huge corporations like Honda.

If Honda wants to build a better DH bike they have the resources I.E. $$$$ to hire anyone they want from any of the big bike makers.

Ive had Hondas, but I still have my Cannondales :) Still I do miss my Honda 600 coup

I thought I was going to get the flame shooter for the Cannondale remark....

Here's a flame war starter! Maybe Honda SHOULD buy out Cannondale, they could improve the MX line and buy instant credibility with the cycling crowd.

Wouldn't that be a kick in the teeth! I can see the headlines, "Cannondale Made in the USA, Bought by Honda"

Wow, could happen!

L8R

Why not? Most of the Hondas sold in the us are built in the U.S. U.S. Honda has built more then 250,000 cars in the last 8 years in the Ohio plant. If I was goint to buy another Honda it would be the Insight.

C'dale shot thier wad trying to re-invent the wheel, and didn't improve on it. The motorcycles they built are (were) only marginal at best, and way too over priced. However, C'dales press releases spouted that they were not going to make the same 'o, bland o' motorcycle. They wanted to be the mfgr of truly innovative bikes. Perhaps they should have spent more time making prototypes and on the test track before going into production. The line of quads C'dale made however, were very competitive, and more main stream in design.

I think it goes without saying that if Honda wanted to dominate the DH market, it would be easily done. Imagine if they spent a mere fraction of thier Motocross racing budget on DH. Interesting, how Honda reports that the DH bike is being built to learn/advance thier technology. They don't say they want to come in and kick a$$, they're just looking around.

I totally agree that pedaling adds adds to the equation. I think it wil be interesting to see how Honda attacks the problems associated with pedaling. Most likely they'll "raise the bar" and DH technology will continue to make major advances.

:beer: