"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - See through bike frame.

I just thought this bike frame was really cool. Post what you think about it.

http://www.bmeres.com/c-thruframe.htm

41

That frame is all kinds of

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/Doohickie/NetJunk/FailHorse.jpg

That frame is all kinds of

http://i42.photobu cket.com/albums/e341/Doohickie/NetJunk/FailHorse.jpg

Oh, I didn't realize you had ridden one! Please, a detailed ride report with specific criticisms... what's that? You haven't? Then STFU.

thats got to be one of the most (edit: let's say "strangest" instead) things I have seen.

confirmed by the saddle angle and the fact he made himself a custom bike and still puts about 10cm of spacers under the stem.

Been done: http://www.delta7bikes.com/ascend-road-bike.htm

Oh, I didn't realize you had ridden one! Please, a detailed ride report with specific criticisms... what's that? You haven't? Then STFU.

There can be no possible redeeming value for a frame with that kind of work that obviously has been put into it. What did the effort buy? Put into production this frame would be obscenely expensive for no inherent advantage. From the website:


I think this frame could have a lower coefficient of aerodynamic drag)...(??)
Sorry, chum, but with all those surface irregularities it will be like a boat anchor in the wind tunnel (IAAAE*)


I have built just this prototype for my biking and fun and for now, I don't suppose to build another frame.
Because it simply isn't commercially viable. It's interesting in that it does not conform, but it brings nothing new to the table.

*I am an aeronautics engineer

I applaud the guy for doing something so different. His hand made bike frame is definitely much lighter than most, which are steel. That being said, I don't see the technical advantages.

Frame drag is probably not a big deal, I imagine it might make some interesting whistles.

The biggest downside would be keeping it clean. :(

There can be no possible redeeming value for a frame with that kind of work that obviously has been put into it. What did the effort buy?

Because it simply isn't commercially viable. It's interesting in that it does not conform, but it brings nothing new to the table.

riiiiiiight - because you clearly understand all systems of value, how each person on earth would feel about this bike, and you have been kind enough to summarize Everyone's comments and report back to us. Thank you for that.

I am glad to hear that you are an engineer - but I'm guessing you didn't pay attention in sociology or economics when there were lectures on issues of 'singularity'? Just because an item isn't one of a kind doesn't make it a failure? There are all sorts of items made every day which are unique, have no "production value", will never be put into general circulation, and cost staggering amounts of money... to list just a few - jewelry, cars, computers, clothing, shoes, purses, furniture, buildings...

allow me to clarify in case you hadn't noticed this yet -
"the world doesn't revolve around your system of value judgments"

as for the article (& bike) itself - "41"

That is the third frame Meres made. He did it as a challenge of his composite construction abilities.
It's a hell of a nice peace of work and given that it was only his third time building a frame, I'd say it is extraordinary.

It is different and there's something to be said for different. I don't understand the emotional criticism. A few of you acted as if this frame is somehow a threat to you. :facepalm:

Hell, I'd like to ride it. However, even though I'm not an engineer and don't pretend otherwise my first thought was that this frame would be incredibly expensive.

Also, OP this particular subforum is probably the most generic and conforming group around when it comes to "the right bike." You picked a tough crowd to show something unorthodox to.

resistance is futile. you will be assimilated or ridiculed.

allow me to clarify in case you hadn't noticed this yet -
"the world doesn't revolve around your system of value judgments"

The original post said:


Post what you think about it.

That's what I did. I fail to see why you have a problem with that. Move along.

1: This belongs in the 41(I know I'm perpetuating by posting).
2: This concept is old news, it's not exactly the same design but Delta 7 (http://www.delta7bikes.com) has been doing this for years.

1: This belongs in the 41(I know I'm perpetuating by posting).
2: This concept is old news, it's not exactly the same design but Delta 7 (http://www.delta7bikes.com) has been doing this for years.

For the uninitiated, 41 is the Road Cycling froum. This doesn't belong there either though; it belongs in 225, Alt Bike Culture. It is an oddity, kind of like this:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2504/4079580410_cb44d046da_o.jpg

must be hard to do a cyclocross mount

I never said it was practical....

resistance is futile. you will be assimilated or ridiculed.

I can testify to the ridiculed part.

A lot of work to build. Super striff. Hard to clean. Fun to show off to others. Not super light at that weight, but lighter than I would have guessed. I hope it never gets crashed, repair would be a lot of work. The best part is probably building it and showing it off. Probably too expensive to mass produce and sell at a resonable cost.

I can't attest for that but I've ridden this similar demo bike... http://www.delta7bikes.com/arantix-mountain-bike.htm and I have to say its really interesting and as good as anything else. Pricey however, but light as hell.

I can't attest for that but I've ridden this similar demo bike... http://www.delta7bikes.com/arantix-mountain-bike.htm and I have to say its really interesting and as good as anything else. Pricey however, but light as hell.

I got to ride the road version....I thought it was stiff, light and from the short ride I did, very quick.