Should there ever be a bike-porn thread...

Wind resistance is everything. Doubling the speed takes four times the horsepower. Humans produce at max. 1/2 hp. That is what limits human runners and long jumpers.

It's why sprinters hang back in the peloton until the last few miles conserving their strength. Why break away groups cooperate in taking turns at front even with rivals.

My fastest on level ground is 27mph. Those who are in much better shape can cruise at that, with the proper gearing. Downhill I have hit 40mph.

I was wondering about the backward fork too. The distance between a straight line drawn through forks to ground and vertical line down from wheel hub is called 'trail'. The bike is always trying to catch up with the wheels contact point because of trail. Very important to stability.

In motorcycles sportbikes have small amount of trail, cruisers have a larger amount. Hence the slow turning and stability of a Harley over a riceburner crotch rocket.

This bike has negative trail? Might have to look up that impact on stability.

I wondered about the smaller front wheel -- in addition to the reversed fork, the whole thing seems like it would be a shaky ride. I was also wondering about what looked like the roller built into the rear of the car. At 165mph, the consequences of losing control would be pretty significant (understatement....).

On my ride home occasionally I'll end up behind a city bus in the 25mph zone. It accelerates slowly enough you can stay in contact with it. Tucking into the big pocket in back of it, it's amazing how easily you just sail along. Though I'm not sure how much is the reduction in wind resistance, and how much is just being sucked along in the bubble it creates.
 
I got SRAM already. I don't want to afford this new stuff.

I've run SRAM and Shimano, but like Shimano better. The two-lever system just seems to work better for me.

I'd like to take that 12-cog group for a test-drive, though.
 
Bike talk and some sexy cycling ladies. Now this is a thread!

I wanted the 1x SRAM on my last Mt bike but could not justify the $$$. Shimano 2x10 XT is running fine.
 
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