I have been thinking a lot lately about an idea I have had that could revolutionise the way DH bikes are designed and made. Open Source Hardware and Crowdsourcing are meaning that instead of large Corporations telling us what to ride, we could turn the tables and ride what WE want.
What I am suggesting is that a dedicated group of people like ourselves pool our talents and design, build and ride our own DH chassis. The basic structure of which would be open to anyone (even existing frame/component manufacturers) to customize or refine as they wish and produce their own compatible variations. Kinda like Linux for bikes.
We have enough Designers, Engineers, Machinists, etc, etc, on this forum to do this- It would mean coming up with a frame/chassis platform and bitesizing it into manageable chunks. People could contribute to the project as much as they could manage, and everyone would benefit from an open design that anyone would be free to use/build/adapt.
Dont think it can be done? Check out Local Motors and www.lamoto2.es for inspiration.
My thoughts about how a platform frame configuration could work go something like this; There is a Core (either actual or purely dimensional) that separate sub-assemblies fit around. You want a bombproof 4130 steel headtube assembly?-Fine. What about a carbon fibre seat tower? - No problem. A gearbox?-Sweet!
This "Core" would have fixed dimensions (available to anyone) that would allow you to mix-and-match different sub-assemblies. These could also be upgraded individually as they broke or fatigued, or as you could afford. No more scrapping of an entire frame due to a cracked headtube- just buy a new sub assembly. Lighter, custom parts could be offered, such as a fixed-height non-adjustable seatpost sub assembly for weight-weenie racers. The swingarm would be a high pivot with idler/jackshaft- negating the effects of different drivetrain options.
So, what about it? Open Source Downhill Project -Who's in?
What I am suggesting is that a dedicated group of people like ourselves pool our talents and design, build and ride our own DH chassis. The basic structure of which would be open to anyone (even existing frame/component manufacturers) to customize or refine as they wish and produce their own compatible variations. Kinda like Linux for bikes.
We have enough Designers, Engineers, Machinists, etc, etc, on this forum to do this- It would mean coming up with a frame/chassis platform and bitesizing it into manageable chunks. People could contribute to the project as much as they could manage, and everyone would benefit from an open design that anyone would be free to use/build/adapt.
Dont think it can be done? Check out Local Motors and www.lamoto2.es for inspiration.
My thoughts about how a platform frame configuration could work go something like this; There is a Core (either actual or purely dimensional) that separate sub-assemblies fit around. You want a bombproof 4130 steel headtube assembly?-Fine. What about a carbon fibre seat tower? - No problem. A gearbox?-Sweet!
This "Core" would have fixed dimensions (available to anyone) that would allow you to mix-and-match different sub-assemblies. These could also be upgraded individually as they broke or fatigued, or as you could afford. No more scrapping of an entire frame due to a cracked headtube- just buy a new sub assembly. Lighter, custom parts could be offered, such as a fixed-height non-adjustable seatpost sub assembly for weight-weenie racers. The swingarm would be a high pivot with idler/jackshaft- negating the effects of different drivetrain options.
So, what about it? Open Source Downhill Project -Who's in?