Unicorn Bike: Write your frame spec that doesn't exist (yet)

jeff.brines wrote:

A few years ago I was fairly convinced we'd hit the upper end of what was possible with bike design. I still (sort of) feel that...

A few years ago I was fairly convinced we'd hit the upper end of what was possible with bike design. I still (sort of) feel that way as the changes really are more incremental. Especially if you are 5'10" and ride a medium/large bike. I can explain why rider size plays into this if someone wants, but will leave that out as its not really the point here..

That said, I started adding up a few things I'd really like to see on my personal bike, and then I realized the bike I really want doesn't actually exist. (unless I go custom)

For the hell of it, I thought it'd be fun to write down a few things I'd like to see, and thought others might want to do this as well...

Here is the Jeff Brines Super Mega No Excuses Bike

• 29" wheels
• 160mm rear travel. Something that mirrors the leverage ratio curve/shock stroke of the Nomad with a moderatly high pivot point (new GT DH bike) and an idler pully. Not asking for a crazy high pivot, just slightly higher than chainring (maybe 1"). Antisquat over 100% in the pedal zone. Air/coil compatible. Utilizes very little compression damping to achieve control through the shock's stroke (relies more on leverage ratio curve) EDIT: I could be talked out of the higher pivot point btw)
• 500mm reach
• 450mm chainstays (adjustable from 445-460mm)
• 340mm bb w/2.5" rubber
• 63.5 deg headtube angle
• fork offset 37mm or less
• 50mm stem
• 76 deg seat tube angle
• 180mm fork
• clearance for up to 2.6" rubber
• triple clamp compatible
• Uber short head tube (i mean we don't have to go nuts, but not a big headtube)
• No gimmicks (no knockblock, no proprietary parts)
• SUPER short seat tube (170mm dropper no problem)
• Aluminum (yup)
• Under 9 pounds with shock
• Optional bar mounted lockout
• Water bottle mount inside the frame
• Low COG
• Lowish standover
• Clearance for a 36 tooth chainring
• Stout feeling (I don't want a flexy frame)

The goal here is to have reach that feels good under my 6'2" frame (long legs/arms) without placing me too far back on the bike (which continues to be a problem). Longer stays, reduced offset both go to combat this. With the direction of enduro I want this bike to be as poised and comfortable in ragged terrain as possible. Yes, I know, it'll be a handful in tighter terrain, but a well balanced bike is going to handle better than a short skittish bike where i'm trying like hell to keep weight on the front tire.

These numbers likely wouldn't work if you start to reduce the reach. I also don't think they'd be super fast if you are lighter. Bigger guys can use more travel without it being as big of a hindrance IMO.

One day we'll have real time Danny Hart level telemetry to see how a bike is really performing under you, the rider. This will dictate fit, sizing, etc. That'll be a real game changer to getting a bike to work perfectly under the rider, but we're a decade off of this...