<<< friction drive 92' specialized hardrock... my favorite so far >>>

Here is my latest build. I have had it a little over a month and only one word really describes it... perfect.

It really has the best combination of qualities for a true hard core commuter bike. Its old school cro-molly frame is super lightweight and strong. It has quality shimano drive train and brake components. It has adequate storage for the minimals on board (water, spare tube, air pump, wallet, keys, xtra gas).... most anything else can be carried in a back pack. The friction drive is simple but VERY effective, Its my opinion to say the engine/roller drive essentially boils down to a perfect blend of pedal power and motor assistance. I can use it in combination with my derailleur and pedals to get massive acceleration, or torque, depending on the situation and terrain. Disengage it via the quick connect release mechanism, and the bike behaves just like a normal bike... no chains or belts connected. The friction drive is super durable and when combined with the r/s eho35 should give me years of 1st pull/reliable operation. The 1.5 inch roller cruises very nicely at about 25 mph with little throttle... (due to the larger diameter roller a little pedaling is required to get to speed). If you notice, the headlights are offset slightly so that one points directly in front of me and the other points out ahead... that way I can see the whole road at night.

The bike is 18 years old so I picked it up for $80 on craigslist (special thanks to "noel the bike guy" for a good deal on a great bike). The kit cost a little over $400 and I have about $100 worth of accessories and new tires/tubes. So all-in-all I am out about $580 for a super durable, very roadworthy bike.

I thought about sanding it down and painting it flat black with an od green American flag... but the retro 90's graphics started to grow on me and now I like them (they remind me of the jet skis I used to ride as a kid). The guys at my local bike shop got a kick out of it.

http://i652.photobucket.com/albums/uu246/give_me_vtec/IMG_3720.jpg

http://i652.photobucket.com/albums/uu246/give_me_vtec/IMG_3708.jpg

http://i652.photobucket.com/albums/uu246/give_me_vtec/IMG_3712.jpg

http://i652.photobucket.com/albums/uu246/give_me_vtec/IMG_3721.jpg

http://i652.photobucket.com/albums/uu246/give_me_vtec/IMG_3718.jpg

http://i652.photobucket.com/albums/uu246/give_me_vtec/IMG_3719.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
What tires are those? They look to have center treads that all connect around the tire. That should be nice, to have a MTB tire that also runs with the roller drive.

they are a bell brand kevlar tires I got from wal mart. They are actually very well designed for this application. They are flexible enough to allow for the deflection from the roller, but resilient enough to resist the texture. As long as the roller is pressed down just right it doesn't wear much at all.

Is it true that its hard to get the bearings out of the Staton, to change the roller or bearings? I've heard that it requires a machine press.

dont know... honestly, I never had to change one.
 
I think it would. You may need a long bracket. I've seen roller drives on both tadpole trikes (front 2 wheels steer) and on one rear wheel of "adult tricycles".

If anyone puts this on a tricycle, be especially careful because if its 1 wheel peel, it will pull or possibly slip on wet surfaces, and if its a locked rear axle, it can turn over at fast speeds.
 
Thanks for the reply. Walmart bikes have come a long way. For the price, it seems the only downsides are the weight and that the cables suck. The tires are pretty thick on a lot of the mtbs. I have a Denali "10 speed" and I like it a lot. The cheap components give me a lot of comfort because I can ride it in the rain etc and not care.
 
Thanks for the reply. Walmart bikes have come a long way. For the price, it seems the only downsides are the weight and that the cables suck. The tires are pretty thick on a lot of the mtbs. I have a Denali "10 speed" and I like it a lot. The cheap components give me a lot of comfort because I can ride it in the rain etc and not care.

the bike wasn't from wal mart... just the tires. I got the bike on craigslist... its almost 20 years old. I actually like it better than the newer stuff. The old school cro-molly frames are awesome.
 
I agree with you on the older stuff. I used to have a Trek 850 mountain bike, I would say it was the best bike I have ever had. Period. Cro molly frame, rapid fire shifters(thumb and finger shift, not the stupid twist shift like they have today), SOLID wheels( I couldn't bend one if I tried, and trust me, I tried. :cool:), and brakes that could stop a train. I really wish I still had that bike. My dad took it when my parents separated. Mine looked like this without the rack. I loved the marbleized purple fade into black paint scheme.

94_trek.jpg
 
I agree with you on the older stuff. I used to have a Trek 850 mountain bike, I would say it was the best bike I have ever had. Period. Cro molly frame, rapid fire shifters(thumb and finger shift, not the stupid twist shift like they have today), SOLID wheels( I couldn't bend one if I tried, and trust me, I tried. :cool:), and brakes that could stop a train. I really wish I still had that bike. My dad took it when my parents separated. Mine looked like this without the rack. I loved the marbleized purple fade into black paint scheme.

94_trek.jpg

exactly... probably why I like the bike so much.
 
Beautiful Machine! Am working a similar "ultimate commuter" concept. Your bike inspires me.

I picked up an old (red) Hardrock frame this weekend after discovering cracks in the Rincon frame. Not near so pretty as yours, but whaddaya want for 15 bones?

Mine's a couple years older and has the u-brake under the chain stays, an idea abandoned after the off-road folks found how poorly it performed when packed full of mud. Bad for MTB, but good for MB. Will allow me to tuck the GEBE tight behind the seat.

Having shouldered a heavy backpack on too many commutes, I'd encourage you to consider counter-balancing the R/S with a bike bucket. Check it out:

http://commutebybike.com/2009/12/09/how-to-make-bike-buckets/

An empty cat-litter container, a few dollars spent at the hardware store, and an hour of your time will make your commute much more bearable. Practical, stylish, and chiropractor approved!

Enjoy,

Yoda
 
Nice ride. I think you will be better served with a smoother tread design. Wear those out & then change. Better grip from the roller, & less rolling resistance.
Thatperson;
I like all those 800 series Treks as well. Good rides & they all seem to have the right gear ratios .
 
Ok, excuse me. It did look like a classic bike, but I wondered, since GT and others have now offered WM models, often with 7speed stuff or 1" threaded headsets.

I like the Trek 820 steel bikes. I have had a couple and they seemed really stable when climbing, and good on pavement with slicks. Should make a fine Mb.


the bike wasn't from wal mart... just the tires. I got the bike on craigslist... its almost 20 years old. I actually like it better than the newer stuff. The old school cro-molly frames are awesome.
 
Back
Top