Great thought experiment, and the lead up was good too!
I recently was gifted a KLR650 (first motorbike, no license yet) that needs a bit of work (it was under 40 feet of water at one point but still runs). I digress…..
I was tinkering on it a while back and it got me thinking of why these things are so much more set and forget than our trusted bicycles. I’m constantly working on my bikes to keep them running in top shape, I enjoy it immensely but it is time consuming. Whereas this thing was ridden to the Yukon, under water for a couple weeks, and all round had a well loved but tough existence with not much more than your typical service. I guess the obvious came to me and it’s the general disregard for weight savings due to the fact there is a (non-meat) motor pushing it along. Removing that constraint opens up so many options for robustness being built in.
Now I do like the idea of a set and forget bike for the general public. I think we can get pretty close to your thesis and not get too crazy with weight. A wider range Alfine-type hub, high quality sealed bearings all over, updated brakes that have significantly thicker pads. High volume suspension (lots of fluid).
Don’t think we can get around the odd tire replacement.
March 10, 2022, 7:34 a.m. - Poz
Great thought experiment, and the lead up was good too! I recently was gifted a KLR650 (first motorbike, no license yet) that needs a bit of work (it was under 40 feet of water at one point but still runs). I digress….. I was tinkering on it a while back and it got me thinking of why these things are so much more set and forget than our trusted bicycles. I’m constantly working on my bikes to keep them running in top shape, I enjoy it immensely but it is time consuming. Whereas this thing was ridden to the Yukon, under water for a couple weeks, and all round had a well loved but tough existence with not much more than your typical service. I guess the obvious came to me and it’s the general disregard for weight savings due to the fact there is a (non-meat) motor pushing it along. Removing that constraint opens up so many options for robustness being built in. Now I do like the idea of a set and forget bike for the general public. I think we can get pretty close to your thesis and not get too crazy with weight. A wider range Alfine-type hub, high quality sealed bearings all over, updated brakes that have significantly thicker pads. High volume suspension (lots of fluid). Don’t think we can get around the odd tire replacement.