Interesting review - note what he says about bouncing and smoothness of pedal stroke.

http://www.ultracycling.com/equipment/beambikes.html

I re-upped the PDF, hopefully it works for you now.

http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=1...xMpEOMcw&hl=en

I had a Softride for a couple of years before it was stolen. I loved that thing and set several PR's on it. If you see someone on one bouncing it's because they don't know how to spin and they indeed are losing a lot of energy that could be used to go forward. My cycling buddies always said i was real smooth on it. They are also great descending bikes. There's something about that beam and the flex it has when you crank out some turns. They are confidence inspiring and fast on descents. I've thought a Softride that could accept big tires would be a great cyclocross/dirt road type bike. Their biggest downside is that they are/were heavy.

Does anyone know where to find replacement 101 Pivot Bolt kits and replacement beams for a SoftRider Classic?

I email the company and they say none is available.

I'm thinking you misunderstand "equal and opposite." Just because you're putting the same energy into the system and that energy is getting bounced around in equal and opposite ways doesn't mean that the energy is being used effectively to turn your cranks.

Here is my Softride Classic which I just readied to riding condition today.

http://i52.tinypic.com/2872fs5.jpg

http://i54.tinypic.com/2112mtg.jpg

Agreed. Bouncing up and down, with or without suspension, without a doubt has negative consequences for power transfer. So?

Those were invented by the alsop brothers. I worked at Yeti when Tomac was sponsored by them. We called them "moose tongue" bikes. I think they are well appreciated by the ultra-marathon crowd. Tom Pizkin's Titanflex won the RAAM at least once. The Alsop design uses a thin rubber membrane between the two fiberglass beams. The Titan-flex used a titanium tube.

Closest I can come is this, (not a beam bike, I know) but several triathletes here use Softride and and like 'em.
I've never noticed anything different when they pass me...(here with GMS of this forum)
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=181036 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=181037

I had a Softride for a very short period but ended up selling it. I had bought it primarily for triathlons but had neglected to test ride it in my Speedo. The high, thick beam chaffed the inside of my exposed thighs. I tried using Vaseline to cut down the friction but it would quickly wear off and if a wind blew up any dirt and it got onto the Vaseline, things only got worse. Duathlon shorts made it bearable for spint distances but it was still irritating over Olympic distance, so I sold it. I'll try to dig up some pics.

Amongst the ugliest bikes ever made, IMO. Sorry guys.

Your only hope is Ebay. I bought several of the pivot bolt kits when Softride still had them.

You have an odd eye.

I just threw up in my mouth a little.

I'll second that.

Wow! Custom Waterford Softride with Rolf Vector Pro wheels, D-A shifters, Zipp cranks etc sold for just $600-something on Ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...253D&viewitem=

Otherwise fairly competent seller informed bidders that frame was made from "Reynolds aluminum." Ha ha. Didn't even clean the bike. Smarter seller probably coulda made twice the money.

+1 The only one for sale around here is at $1200

Found it. Though it's not vintage, here's my Softride Powerwing 650.

slushlover2, It would be taken as a rude comment for me to post a picture of my Softride hitch mount rack. The Softrides were popular for awhile around here, but it's been at least 10 years since I've seen one. I think the key was to get a beam rated heavier than one's actual weight and if I'm not mistaken there was a domestic team racing them.(?)

Brad

Yes there was. I recall Alex Stieda riding one in the very early 1990s.

Thanks, T-Mar.

Brad

Oops, almost forgot this one!

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=200468http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=200469http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=200471

I picked up a Softride not long ago. I have to admit it isn't really my style, but it was fun to ride.

650c Power-V, mostly Shimano 600, but Ultegra hubs and Mavic rims, Shimano indexed bar end shifters. 8 speed. Profile design aerobar stuff/stem. Head turner for sure.

Don't think I want to keep it though, I have other bikes I want instead. Plus I will not be doing any triathlons any time soon.

I know, zombie thread.

Bought a Softride Powerwing on eBay about six months ago. Reynolds fork damaged in UPS transit. Insurance bought a new Alpha Q Aero Fork. Have since replaced no-name saddle with Koobi PRS, mongrel rear wheel with Velocity Deep V with Dura Ace hub, replaced triathlon bars and friction bar-end shifters with road bars and Sora brifters. Still have 7-speed 12-25 freewheel. Anyone know what year this bike might be?

I really love this bike, It is so comfortable and I love the way it corners. Learning to make circles so I don't have beam bounce. Have just returned to cycling after many years as a runner (knee wore out), and my sit bones haven't suffered at all.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=242581

cool

my 'Softride'. A great rack.

Bradhttp://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=242641

That's going to turn heads, great bike.