I know we don't have many people back here yet but anyone have or thinking of getting an AM bike? I am for many reason's. Around my place I have terrain for rugged freeride and some mellow XC but don't have a bike to handle both. Forget my DH pig at 46 lbs and the HT bike bounces everywhere when I try and pick up speed in the rough spots. I'm also going to get out more next season in areas that require climbing and descents similar to DH.

Been looking at different designs and really like the Trek Scratch but the wallet doesn't. So, I have also been pondering the thought of designing and fabricating my own however I would make 3-4 frames to be fully tested by others too. I have the ability and know how, just another ambition in my life like many others I fully succeeded over the last 20 years. Someone else is interested to team up with me to do this project with equal ability.

Any thoughts on angles, suspension type, etc... would be great but this is a long term project with something to show and ride by early spring 2010. Keep in mind it's a heavy duty AM bike to handle rugged rides but light weight.

Cheers

I,M interrested to help on that.

i think the best way to start is to copy(inspire)from an existing desing and go as simple as you can, it gets very complicated quite fast.

i would say a single pivot would be a good start. especially in the time frame that you want it done.

Merci, thank you.

I was thinking single pivot too but I just might work on something similar as the Trek Scratch. I have been working on CAD drwaings for the rear ratio and will make a mok up out of wood to test out. I'm actually going to make a full scale model out of wood which will serve as a guide for my assembly jig. I need 2 jigs, one for tac welding in their proper geometry and one to send out for thermal treatment.

If this works out then I'll make more frames and see where this takes me. I'm also going to look at a DH bike frame but that one I would want single pivot for sure. After seeing and riding a few single pivot designs I saw that the brake jacking problem is no always apparent on this design. Slam's Turner when I tried it my first impression was wow, super plush single pivot and had not brake jacking that bothered me.


tartosuc wrote:

brake jacking depend on pivot placement.

but pedaling eeficiency also depend on pivot placement..the trick is to find the sweet spot...

i say look at the santa cruz Heckler, its a good reference for you to copy.
when you get to number on trhe geo let me know i will work with you on that....i'm too busy at work at the moment to do that...

i'm intterested in building a frame jig also...we could make 2

You should give a look on the Xprezo Super-D. Simple, clean, efficient. Tried one at Coaticook and was very impressed! The thing is FAST on both uphill and downhill! The Freeride Cup @ MSA was won on this bike.

I ahev actually been looking at their bikes but right now I'm going with aluminum in the 7000 series. Thanks for the thought.

HypNoTic wrote: