[Gamerzhell]

Quote:

I stacked it last week on my bike cos a driver was being an idiot at a roundabout... almost slammed his van right into me but just kept going

 
Nearly slipped on tram tracks today was wet and cold, didn't take my line properly.

 

[Silent One]

Careful there, Gamerzhell...

 

[treal512]

Quote:

This is the most amazing bike video I've ever seen!  I really want a Pinarello now!  If I could do even one of these tricks I'd be really happy!
 
http://reviews.roadbikereview.com/martyn-ashton-road-bike-party

 
Wow! This guy makes me feel like a pansy, lol. I need to start trying new things on my commute 

 

[treal512]

Quote:

 
 
 
Second tunnels
 

 
Very nice. Looks like Korea!

 

[micrors4]

Has anyone had any experience converting a full suspension bike to a single speed, I want to do it as cheap as possible because it is just for a fun experiment, I have pretty much all the parts but am a little confused with what I should use to keep the tension on the chain as the suspension cycles.  I have seen some chain tensioners but they are fairly expensive for spring loaded ones,I came across someone using an old rear derailleur but I'm not sure how they keep it in the right position so it doesn't shift into the wheel without a cable holding it in the right place.

 

[KimLaroux]

You just have to replace the minimum adjustment screw for a longer one. You then screw it until the derailleur is aligned with the rear cog. Then you screw in the max adjustment to lock the derailleur in place.
 
But I'm wondering, what's the point of going single speed while using a derailleur to tension the chain? Isn't the whole point of single speed to get rid of the derailleur?
 
A couple of days ago I did some off trails, and a branch got stuck into my rear derailleur. It bent it sideways, and now the lowest roller is offset by half a cm. It's one of those times when I wished I had something that did not use a derailleur...

 

[micrors4]

Cool, thanks for that I'll give it a try when I have some time.  The reason I need to use something to keep the chain tension is because it is on a full suspension bike so as the suspension cycles the chain is stretched so you need to have a longer chain so that the suspension can move freely in the rear while the chain is tensioned.  I feel your pain with the derailleur, I have had mine get bent into the wheel causing it to basically explode because of all the tension on it and snapped a few spokes at the same time, I was thinking of carrying a chain tensioner that goes in place of the rear derailleur that way you can at least have two gears to ride out on and you wont have to lock out the rear shock like you would if you just shortened the chain to make it a single speed.

 

[darthman]

Anybody here tried a chainless bike like this one?  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002AHSPDA/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_4?ie=UTF8&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER  Supposedly, these are nearly maintenance free and a good ride.

 

[micrors4]

I haven't ridden one, but I have heard that they are super smooth and very effecient at getting the power to the wheel.  They are fairly resistant to problems, but when they do have them they are a HUGE pain to fix and very few bike shops will carry parts for them not to mention there are no upgrades for them, a cool idea but not practical.  I'm also curious if anybody has tried a two wheel drive bike like this: http://machinedesign.com/article/all-wheel-drive-bike-1108

 

[customcoco]

Quote:

 I'm also curious if anybody has tried a two wheel drive bike like this: http://machinedesign.com/article/all-wheel-drive-bike-1108

 
They build AWD motorbikes now :
 
http://www.christini.com/

 

[darthman]

Those are good points micrors4 - thank you.  Still, for the price I think the chainless bike is a genius idea.  I'm in NYC and thought about a folding bike but I'm thinking I'm going to jump on the chainless.  An all-wheel-drive bike is very cool but $1500 to tool around Central Park is probably not a good investment.  If I were doing serious rides it would totally be worth it.

 

[micrors4]

You might be better off with a belt driven bike as you will get the same benefits but they are more common and thus parts are easier to come by and they have no maintenance not to mention far simpler and smoother.

 

[PleasantNoise]

Wait a minute. someone tell me what the problem with chain drive is? seems to work well for every athlete, touring cyclist, and joe blogs out there.
I have no complaints at all about chains. they work. and work. and work.

 

[customcoco]

Quote:

Wait a minute. someone tell me what the problem with chain drive is? seems to work well for every athlete, touring cyclist, and joe blogs out there.
I have no complaints at all about chains. they work. and work. and work.

belts are grease free, low maintenance, smooth and silent. what else do you want?
 
I'm not a bike specialist at all, but they seem to be a good, if not great, solution for anyone who just want to buy a simple commuter and be done with it.

 

[micrors4]

I personally prefer a chain driven bike, but for some people they don't want to take 30 seconds to grease a chain every other week or have to deal with the mess.  Belts are nice because you never have to think about them and they always just work, however what I don't like about them is that because you can not break one in half like a chain the bike frame must have a break in the seat and chain stays to replace the belt which creates a weak point.