Originally Posted by Kontact

I think your comments are correct, but they are based on the assumption that stiffer drivetrains are faster, and there really isn't much evidence of this. And there is some evidence that the opposite is true - elastic drivetrains transmit power more efficiently by translating vertical pedaling into rotation more smoothly.





The Slingshot's were pretty cool - they stored cornering and braking energy by inch worming forward, behaving much like the Teledyne Titans were said to. Another example of how elastic materials can transform energy efficiently.

Anyone doubting how energy can be efficiently stored and re-transmitted needs to watch some pole vaulting. Same fiberglass as used in the Slingshot.