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Neko's run- bike design rethink due?

TrueScotsman

Monkey
Mar 20, 2002
271
2
Scotland
I don't mean that we should all run without chains (!) BUT it does ask some fundamental questions on whether we have designed bikes that work better without a chain and the accompanying pedal feedback?

Could Neko's Trek be a better bike without a chain and more able to respond to bumps without the chain tension inhibiting the suspension?

I remember Mojo UK doing test runs at Fort William years ago on an Orange 224 and finding the bike was quicker without a chain. This lead them to adopt a small idler at the pivot.

Lots of questions, discuss!
 

William42

fork ways
Jul 31, 2007
3,908
634
I'm unconvinced that it was the bike and not the mental aspect. Ever done a chainless run before? the knowledge that you cannot hit your breaks for any sections because you can't accelerate out of going slow by pedaling is what makes you go fast through sections you might otherwise dab your brakes.

Also, I think Greg Minnaars track record at fort william is a pretty good counterpoint. You know, what with how many races he's won at Ft William specifically because of pedaling so hard in the motorway at the bottom. I'd say the majority of the races that the majority of world cup riders do pedalling makes a pretty huge difference. Think of how many races two riders have come into a pedal section with about the same split times, and then suddenly one rider is a second and sometimes even two seconds up.
 

Bikael Molton

goofy for life
Jun 9, 2003
4,010
1,146
El Lay
How many other WC tracks this year could not pedaling have been an advantage... maybe 2 of 'em?

I think Mulally's chainless run was a mental (lowered stakes) advantage, not a mechanical or physiological one.
 

ianjenn

Turbo Monkey
Sep 12, 2006
2,998
702
SLO
I want the tracks so steep and chopped apart pedaling isn't an option the 65' triples can be cleared due to the massive speed being carried on the 70% grades! Be awesome...and we all know how important it is to have a DH bike that "pedals well" that's sort of like saying my 2001 VW TDI was fast....
 
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TrueScotsman

Monkey
Mar 20, 2002
271
2
Scotland
I think that people are misreading my comment (or I didn't make myself clear!)

I am NOT saying that it is worth riding without a chain! What I am saying is that, in the quest for a better "pedalling" bike (high anti-squat and large chain growth/pedal feedback) have companies compromised on their bump absorbing qualities when not pedalling?

Yes Mulally nailed the course and was a pleasure to watch and I'm sure that the mental aspect cannot be disregarded, BUT, did the bike behave better on the rough rocks of Hafjell without a chain?
 

Kanye West

220# bag of hacktastic
Aug 31, 2006
3,740
470
I have done a LOT of chainless riding on DH bikes (mostly due to breaking shit and being too cheap/lazy to fix it). I'm at the point where I'm 100% as comfortable riding chainless and clipped in as normal riding.

On most bikes, I do notice a substantial increase in suspension compliance and "flow" without the chain on. I can't say I've tried it on his exact bike.
 

Sandwich

Pig my fish!
Staff member
May 23, 2002
21,031
5,921
borcester rhymes
No, if bikes that performed exceptionally without any anti-squat were pure winners, then the Demo would win every time. It doesn't.

The Trek doesn't even have that much AS built into its design.

And finally, at 25mph, even with a 75pt hub, do you really think you're going to feel much pedal feedback on anything but a drop to flat? If you did, and you were a musclely world cup downhiller, wouldn't your weight just torque that wheel forward? I think pedal feedback is one of the least concerning things in a downhill bike, and I say that as a former Morewood rider....

edit. I think Neko just killed it, that's all.
 

kickstand

Turbo Monkey
Sep 18, 2009
3,441
392
Fenton, MI
I'm unconvinced that it was the bike and not the mental aspect. Ever done a chainless run before? the knowledge that you cannot hit your breaks for any sections because you can't accelerate out of going slow by pedaling is what makes you go fast through sections you might otherwise dab your brakes.
Agree, I've only broken a chain once, but it was early on in my racing and it was one of my best runs (at that point) because I rode so much smoother everywhere knowing I couldn't regain speed from a mistake.