[bstguitarist]

A while ago I saw on the show "Tactical to Practical" on the History channel a segment where The host talked about Jeep (Yes the car company) making an AWD bike and when the host held the bike in the air and turned the pedals both weles turned simultaniously. Is this for real? and if so where can I getr more info?

 

[itsdoable]

http://www.christini.com/

which is being marketed as:

http://www.cyclesourcegroup.com/rubiconawd.html

 

[pimpbot]

Yep... and...

A while ago I saw on the show "Tactical to Practical" on the History channel a segment where The host talked about Jeep (Yes the car company) making an AWD bike and when the host held the bike in the air and turned the pedals both weles turned simultaniously. Is this for real? and if so where can I getr more info?

... one of the mtb porn rags gave it a pretty stellar review. As a FS bike with AWD, it weighed in at like 27 lbs, which is pretty decent for a regular FS bike.

It's drivetrain is your basic chain and gears. In addition, there is a gear and driveshaft system driving the front wheel's freewheel through the middle of the steerer tube in the fork through a clutch that is engaged from the bars. The front wheel has a slightly lower gear ratio so it only engages in when the rear slips. It's pretty clever, IMO. If I had that kind of disposable cash, I would pick one up.

 

[summitlt]

Yam there something like 5K, pretty cool except for the price

 

[willtsmith_nwi]

$3100

Yam there something like 5K, pretty cool except for the price

The full suspension starts at $3100 well equipped. If I had a spare $3100 I would buy one too.

The AWD is supposed to really shine while in mud and climbing. It's probably unparalleled while going over rocks and roots since the front wheel can pull when the rear whell spins out.

Something tells me that the 29er movement may take some steam out of adopting this technology. 29ers are highly praised under the same conditions due to the larger contact patch of a larger tire. Something tells me that Christini will eventually go 29er if they want to reach the audience of people who want the "ultimate billy goat".

In the mean time, they are working on moving their technology into motorcycles and dirt bikes where it is likely to be more lucrative.

 

[itsdoable]

<snip>
Something tells me that the 29er movement may take some steam out of adopting this technology. 29ers are highly praised under the same conditions due to the larger contact patch of a larger tire. Something tells me that Christini will eventually go 29er if they want to reach the audience of people who want the "ultimate billy goat".

In the mean time, they are working on moving their technology into motorcycles and dirt bikes where it is likely to be more lucrative.

The way the 2WD works in mud & rock gardens (and snow) is IMHO much superior than any 29"/700c'ed wheel bike. However, the 2WD does not engage that often, and when it does, there are several quirks that take some getting use to - gear train noise, torque steer, lack of differential, etc... Ofcourse there is no reason they cannot make a 29" version either.

As for motorcycles, I believe that there are already hydraulic front drive assists being made, which get around the torque steer issue, which is much more pronounced with a motor. Christini's version uses dual counter rotating shafts to negate torque steer.

Cheers,

Tom

 

[vermont]

I saw one of the Christini bikes at the Mt. Snow Jeep KOM..the 2wd has a lever on the handlebar allowing you to turn it on or off as you wish....the cable pulls the cam away from the rear wheel. the one i saw was 5" FS and it was beautiful as was the girl on it..LOL

 

[willtsmith_nwi]

It makes me wonder ...

The way the 2WD works in mud & rock gardens (and snow) is IMHO much superior than any 29"/700c'ed wheel bike. However, the 2WD does not engage that often, and when it does, there are several quirks that take some getting use to - gear train noise, torque steer, lack of differential, etc... Ofcourse there is no reason they cannot make a 29" version either.

As for motorcycles, I believe that there are already hydraulic front drive assists being made, which get around the torque steer issue, which is much more pronounced with a motor. Christini's version uses dual counter rotating shafts to negate torque steer.

Cheers,

Tom

Everything I've read indicates that the pros simply aren't adopting the technology. I've also read that while beginner and experienced riders find it impressive, advanced and pro riders find it to be no big deal since they've already learned techniques to overcome the lack of AWD.

I really do think it's a cool technology though. I hope to see them push the 26ers into a sub-$1000 dollar bike. And of course, I'd like to see a 29er version from them.

 

[itsdoable]

Everything I've read indicates that the pros simply aren't adopting the technology. I've also read that while beginner and experienced riders find it impressive, advanced and pro riders find it to be no big deal since they've already learned techniques to overcome the lack of AWD.

Actually, I reviewed the hardtail version it last year (http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=3933) unfortunately the link to the original review in there does not seem to work now. Basically, it only really came alive on really technical messy conditions where you can't keep a regular drive bike going. "Pro's" are mostly racers & performers, race courses are rarely that technical, and no one wants to watch someone ride up a hill. The only race advantage might be sandy washout-a-ble downhill corners.

Also, the fact that pro's were slow to adopt FS was partly because race courses were designed for hardtails. Design a course that requires a 5" FS to navigate, and you'll see pros using them (or running the course).

Cheers,

Tom