Adaptrac - a mountain biking breakthrough?
#26
one less horse
In general, I don't like to increase weight and complexity (not to mention cost) without a commensurate increase in performance. But more specifically,
The product increases rotational unsprung weight
The canister would not fit on my bike(s)
The lines coming out the axles appear highly vulnerable to common crash damage.
It uses CO2 which costs money and is not readily available to me
The product is not available in 20mm or 135mm axle sizes
I am not willing to trade straight spokes for j-bends
I am most certainly not willing to trade 120 hub engagement points for 24
And finally, it looks clunky as hell.
#27
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True. It's the opinion of the public here on BF. Isn't that what you asked for, opinions? Looks like a few members here have given good reason why it wouldn't work for them. Or should they put up a facade and be "optimistic"? Perhaps other forums might look at it differently.
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Last edited by Siu Blue Wind; 04-30-12 at 08:11 PM.
#28
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True. It's the opinion of the public here on BF. Isn't that what you asked for, opinions? Looks like a few members here have given good reason why it wouldn't work for them. Or should they put up a facade and be "optimistic"? Perhaps other forums might look at it differently.
#29
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Might be useful in limited applications, but at the penalty of less reliability and greater weight. To make it truly useful, the gas reservoir needs to be able to regenerate, like motor vehicle air reservoir systems for air brakes and auto-inflate/deflate, and then we're talking a great deal more complexity and a great deal more drivetrain resistance if you human power it.
There could be a battery powered compressor option, but that too would be weighty, even with Ping batteries, and to make it light enough for a bicyclist to use, the cost would be very high, or the reliability would be low, from an engineering point of view. There'd still also be a battery charge time limit, as well. This could be offset by solar cells, of course, but this leads into even greater complexity and weight, not to mention the fragility of the cells, themselves.
There could be a battery powered compressor option, but that too would be weighty, even with Ping batteries, and to make it light enough for a bicyclist to use, the cost would be very high, or the reliability would be low, from an engineering point of view. There'd still also be a battery charge time limit, as well. This could be offset by solar cells, of course, but this leads into even greater complexity and weight, not to mention the fragility of the cells, themselves.
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. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
#31
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Dang, this thread managed to catch the attention of the Three Star Generals
Discussions (arguments) dealt with using courtesy, political correctness, & valid points seem absolutely foreign in this sub-forum. Where's the sarcasm?!

Discussions (arguments) dealt with using courtesy, political correctness, & valid points seem absolutely foreign in this sub-forum. Where's the sarcasm?!

#33
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[edit] How much sarcasm do you want?
#34
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Brian, you posted something that interested me. I responded, topically and courteously. There's no extra scrutiny......you give yourself too much credit on the bad side.
It had nothing to do with you or your history here, and my response would have been the same if, for example, samburger had posted this.

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. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
#37
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Huh. Well this has now become a more intense thread.
Obviously I'm a total newbie compared to other posters, but considering the views of those who have responded in general and those "generals" who have now responded, maybe[Brian] just chill and think critically about what has been said? I don't think this is some personal attack against you. It's just that you posted a MTB system that the public of bikeforums MTBers don't see a real need for when compared against cost/convenience/weight, and therefore the idea didn't fly here. Like you said, you're not an investor or inventor, so no big deal. The invention is Definitely a cool idea, but maybe it's not really useful in the real world to the crowd you posted it to here. Whatever. No big deal.

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I'm not taking it as a personal attack. As I mentioned, I'm curious to see whether this concept gains acceptance by competitive riders. Some of the comments are amusing though. If it's not for you for whatever reason, that's all well and good. But just because one rider sees no value in its application, that doesn't invalidate the concept. I deplore the idea of using CO2 to inflate my tires. Doesn't mean it's a bad idea. Just bad for the environment.

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Did you know that compressed CO2 is largely a secondary industry capturing the off gassing from fermentation?
If one wishes to keep it out of the environment then its source should be discouraged--beer.
If one wishes to keep it out of the environment then its source should be discouraged--beer.
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Save the beer.
#41
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Regardless of the particular attributes/viabilities of this product, positive and negative, I am all for the spirit of creativity and invention. No need to squelch an idea because of what CAN'T be done- lots of ideas have been fruitful in the end, if only for spin-offs that end up successful.
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#42
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Regardless of the particular attributes/viabilities of this product, positive and negative, I am all for the spirit of creativity and invention. No need to squelch an idea because of what CAN'T be done- lots of ideas have been fruitful in the end, if only for spin-offs that end up successful.
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Interesting idea. Although i personally can not see using it for various reasons already gone over ad nauseum in here.
Perhaps if it gets a customer base and enthusiasts, the technology will become more compact, user friendly and more versatile. Neat idea al the same.
Perhaps if it gets a customer base and enthusiasts, the technology will become more compact, user friendly and more versatile. Neat idea al the same.
#45
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Brian, I am interested in knowing if you would outfit a bike with this much weight for either recreational or competitive biking?
I am a recreational rider and I know that the application is sound. But seriously, the bulk alone would bother me. Perhaps in the Elite bike racing world where annual contracts for riders are huge, maybe, maybe not. Most XC rigs are built was light as possible. I'm surprised that Nino Shurter is racing a HT in the UCI worldcup. Seems to be doing well with it.
I am a recreational rider and I know that the application is sound. But seriously, the bulk alone would bother me. Perhaps in the Elite bike racing world where annual contracts for riders are huge, maybe, maybe not. Most XC rigs are built was light as possible. I'm surprised that Nino Shurter is racing a HT in the UCI worldcup. Seems to be doing well with it.
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I think its disgusting and terrible how people treat Lance Armstrong, especially after winning 7 Tour de France Titles while on drugs!
I can't even find my bike when I'm on drugs. -Willie N.
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Stinking Roadies, that's why we post where the real environmentally concerned post. Here I'll buy the next round, beer's on me.
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I think its disgusting and terrible how people treat Lance Armstrong, especially after winning 7 Tour de France Titles while on drugs!
I can't even find my bike when I'm on drugs. -Willie N.
I think its disgusting and terrible how people treat Lance Armstrong, especially after winning 7 Tour de France Titles while on drugs!
I can't even find my bike when I'm on drugs. -Willie N.
#47
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I wouldn't use it, but I'm also riding a Cannondale hardtail with the old school XT 9 speed. It would have been nice on our tandem, since we had to air up to get to the bushland, then drop the pressure for off road, before airing up again for the ride home along the beach path. Changing pressure mid-trail would be overkill for me, as I'm rarely in a big rush.
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"old school 9 speed."
)

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I think its disgusting and terrible how people treat Lance Armstrong, especially after winning 7 Tour de France Titles while on drugs!
I can't even find my bike when I'm on drugs. -Willie N.
I think its disgusting and terrible how people treat Lance Armstrong, especially after winning 7 Tour de France Titles while on drugs!
I can't even find my bike when I'm on drugs. -Willie N.
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