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how about a series hybrid, like the Also TM-B. There's no mechanical connection between rider input and what the drive unit does. All gear ratios are "simulated" by the motor. I wonder if this would be efficient enough to NOT use a battery, just transfer all rider power to the motor instantaneously. You can solve the problems of chain/derailleur/unsprung weight on the rear axle all at once too.

After life happened I’m currently on a 3x9 GT avalanche. 26”. Literally pulled out of the scrap metal bin from a family member. The old shimano hydraulic disc brakes didn’t even need a bleed. Only needed the front quick release axle. First bike I have after being off bikes for over 4 years. After 25 years of riding. First of all, be glad that the front derailleurs are gone. 2nd, bikes are fun. Period. Yes, I wanna be on a full swish bike again, 29” or mullet. But I have a bike. When I swap to skinny tires it works...

Three gears in the front and seven in the back could be the perfect ratio for mountain biking! It's almost like it would give you three different gear "ranges" using the front shifter- one for climbing, one for descending, and one for everything in between. And the chain alignment could be so much straighter without having to pack all your gears onto one super wide cassette. I wonder why no one's thought of that yet? I can't think of any downsides.

I’m joking, appreciate that it’s not clear over text. There was a long inane discussion about this previously; of course one can choose to spec lighter tires, less draggy hubs or pound one less post ride beer to be more efficient but none of that is relevant to a discussion on friction losses in a gearbox. @sspomer @jeff.brines Really enjoyed the podcast especially the bits on how some of these gearboxes work. I agree that it’s unlikely they’ll come to pedal bikes that you actually want to Pedal- years and capital have gone in to CVT gearboxes to get them...

What if all the gears were in a container in the middle of the bike by your feet?

What if we tried putting a small derailleur on the front cogs, may be just like 2-3 gears, then a 5-7 speed cassette on the rear with another smaller derailleur? Same ratios but better weight distribution?

Removable batteries just have too many compromises and only a small subset of riders really feel the need for them. The small weight savings between a 400 & a 600 wh battery would be eaten up by the additional mass of having a removable battery anyways. Worth noting, it's very helpful to a battery's life span to never fully charge or fully drain. So, if you 'need' a 400wh battery to complete your typical ride, a 600wh battery allows you to keep the battery between 20-80% charge at all times.

Really hope it’s a swappable battery with 400 and 600 options. 400 for lunch rides. 600+ range extender for backcountry missions. 2x 600 for self shuttle. Maybe even let bikes be run on range extender only like the Levo SL can. Perfect ebike right there and has the unmatched looks of a TQ motor. It doesn’t seem like Avinox is interested in this type of battery modularity so that’d be a great way to flank them.

I talked to a guy who works for a Trek dealer. He confirmed the TQ120 is coming, and that they've got a novel approach to battery capacity with it. Sounds really interesting.

In seeding for Saturday’s Monster Energy Pro Downhill Series race at Solitude in Utah: Maylei Leaneagh went fastest among Pro Women. Kailey Skelton, current Series leader, had a DNS. (At last year’s US Open Maylei’s belt snapped right at the top of the hill and she still managed a 3rd place finish behind only winner Aletha Ostgaard and Camille Balanche.) Dante Silva finished first among Pro Men, 1.3 seconds ahead of Series points leader Nate Kitchen. (Dante entered only 1 UCI World Cup race last year, qualifying P10 in Q1 at Lake Placid and finishing 16th in Finals.)

If Tahnee retires early, I won't be surprised. She seems to be dealing with concussion symptoms and rider are taking that more seriously than we've seen in decades past.. She can still uncork a race winning run, but at what cost? Still so much that is unknown when it comes to TBIs...

I think tahnee has some years left. She’s like 5-6 years younger than myriam. She’s got time to cash some more checks traveling with her boyfriend. Lots of women are choosing to have kids a bit later these days if that’s a pursuit of hers.

*Letter of Intent

Yeah they are just gonna do the baby footprints on a contract.

Frameworks balance bike coming in hot.

Aaron Gwin to become a father. Neko looking to sign the boy post umbilical cord cutting.

Just a reminder: no federal statute passed by Congress formally recognizes the Class 1, 2, and 3 e-bike system. Federal law instead defines a “low-speed electric bicycle” as a two- or three-wheeled vehicle that: Has fully operable pedals. As an aside, if @TEAMROBOT eCVT concept has the rider powering a "generator" rather than mechanically driving the wheel, it may not satisfy this requirement. Has an electric motor of less than 750 watts. Cannot exceed 20 mph on level pavement when powered solely by the motor, with a 170-pound rider. That last provision is how Class 3 bikes can assist up...

GoPro inches closer to bankruptcy. Nick is propping the company up by extending a loan of his own money to the tune of $20M @ 6.5% while a buyer is sought. Link.