Cycle design improvements / innovations / inventions ??

jermas

Hi
Just a couple of ideas I came up with this morning whilst drifting off (in thought) on a slowy ride.

1st- why is the stem fixed to the fork steerer in such a way that it allows the handlebars to be set up at different angles (ie not straight)? Surley it would be better if the stem and fork steerer slotted together ensuring that the handlebars were always exactly 90 degrees to the bike. Also if they were slotted, the handlebars would remain straight even if the stem bolts came loose.

2nd- why is the rear brake as powerful as the front ? Motorbikes, cars, etc have stronger front brakes. I put a softer pad on the front and end up with more even braking but maybe it would be better if the calipers (or levers) were different front and back.

Other ideas?

sphipps

1st- why is the stem fixed to the fork steerer in such a way that it allows the handlebars to be set up at different angles (ie not straight)? Surley it would be better if the stem and fork steerer slotted together ensuring that the handlebars were always exactly 90 degrees to the bike. Also if they were slotted, the handlebars would remain straight even if the stem bolts came loose.

Surely this is down to cost. To make a splined steerer tube would be possible but very expensive to align perfectly????

jermas

Not sure it would be that pricey but maybe worth the extra.

fnegroni

Well, I think it's a combination of factors. Your suggestions look reasonable to me, it is just that as you might have noticed, the bicycle is near perfect mechanically, and any improvement to the formula must prove to be worth the investment.

The steerer on my bike does not need a star nut for example: it uses a cap that is screwed into the steerer, which according the the 'marketing hype', increases the strength of the steerer.

Go figure why they are not all like that.

Indeed the external bearings bottom brackets are another example of evolution by simplification.

jermas

Yup do agree that bike design is 98% there. Mind you people have been saying that for 20 years

Birillo

2nd- why is the rear brake as powerful as the front ? Motorbikes, cars, etc have stronger front brakes. I

So do Campag differential brakes.

on-yer-bike

Campag rear brakes are only single pivot for that reason.

If you had a stem that fitted into a steerer like Campag Ultra torque, or splined, then every time you crashed it would break. Providing you don't do the stem bolts up too tight the handlebars just twist round in the event of a crash.

Smokin Joe

On the OP's first point, I'd love to see a centre line on the steerer that could be lined up with a corresponding mark on the stem, ditto seatpost and frame. No matter how straight you think you have got them in the garage you always end up having to faff about with an Allen key on the first ride.

John.T

If the steerer was splined a minor crash could end up rather expensive with a wrecked steerer and/or stem. As it is it just moves and no damage done. It is easy enough to get it straight anyway.
Motor cycles have a much lower centre of gravity and can stand much more front brake force. Much of the time the rear is hardly used. On a bike braking is more dependent on road conditions. If dry most is done on the front but when wet or muddy the rear is used rather more, at times aproaching the same as the front. There is no need to have different brakes as it is easy to modulate the braking yourself. It is also cheaper to use only one set of dies when making them. I think cost and that nobody has shown that a weaker rear brake has any real advantage are the main reasons.
I must type faster.