Asymmetry?

[Illaveago]

What a nasty lot of !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Things?
I really enjoyed his programmes. I liked the way in which he demonstrated the idea behind each invention . I distinctly remember I. K. Brunel atmospheric engine demonstration using a vacuum cleaner, drain pipe, stick it notes and a tandem.

 

[Andy_R]

The asymmetrical design was pioneered by Pinarello and then taken to the stupid extreme by Cervelo with its BB-Right concept. It is stupid, stupid, stupid. If you go to the BB-Right website (dot org, I think), you'll see a load of pseudo-technical stuff there but nothing that explains why, that makes sense. Most people who read it have their eyes go wonky and then nod, which is what they want.

Asymmetrical in a marketing brochure sounds so much more thought-through than symmetrical.
Asymmetrical sounds like weight is reduced where it is not needed.
Asymmetrical sounds like stuff that is so technically perfect that it doesn't have to be aesthetically pleasing.
Asymmetrical is Bullshit.

They will argue that the chain tension requires higher strength from the chainstay on the right than on the left. However, both are strong enough and has been since the chain-drive bike has been invented. It is Bullshit.
They will argue that the way torque enters the BB via a pipe on the left and is fed directly into the chainring on the right, requires asymmetrical technology.
It is bullshit. The use of the word "technology" is Bullshit.
I once did not have a black spoke of the right length to fix a broken wheel with all black spokes and gave the customer a silver spoke in stead. I told the customer he just got, at the price of normal "technology", asymmetrical pigmentation technology. He loved it.
But it is Bullshit.

hmmmmm......cycle maunufacturers vs cycle technician.....how to decide?

 

[Yellow Saddle]

hmmmmm......cycle maunufacturers vs cycle technician.....how to decide?

I see you are on form tonight. Have you not learnt the ad-hominem rule yet? Why not address my words rather that who/what you perceive me to be. Suckers like you are easy to convince. All I need to do is present you with a couple of fake certificates with large rosettes and you are sold on whatever I say.

 

[Andy_R]

nah....there is a common knowledge that light travels faster than sound. That's why you appear brighter than you sound......are we finished insulting each other because we disagree or do you want to continue.......

 

[Gravity Aided]

I was thinking Cannondale Lefty

 

[MichaelW2]

I was thinking Cannondale Lefty

It was a custom non-sus monoblade fork similar in style to a Giant Halfway.

 

[Citius]

hmmmmm......cycle maunufacturers vs cycle technician.....how to decide?

Real world tech vs global marketing. Hmm, that's a tricky one...

 

[winjim]

I was thinking Cannondale Lefty

I don't know how they ride, but those lefties just look terrible. Do the hub bearings cope ok with the stresses that I presume they impart?

 

[Gravity Aided]

They've had them for some years. Recumbent tricycles have support on one side, and they seem to do all right. I would't want to use one myself, as I'd be a strain on it, but the lefty has a following among mountain bikers.

 

[MichaelW2]

I don't know how they ride, but those lefties just look terrible. Do the hub bearings cope ok with the stresses that I presume they impart?

Putting all the material into one leg results in a stiffer "fork".
The hub axle is beefed up and conical in shape for extra strength at the leg junction . There is no problem.
Bearing stresses are much the same as std axles, except lefties use bigger bearings.

 

[simongt]

If I may interject, and while we're on the subject... asymmetrical rims to even out spoke tensions in dished wheels: bullshit or not bullshit?

Of course, if you want to be REALLY picky, a truly symmetrical bike would have to a single speed or fixie with a chainwheel, chain and sprocket on both sides - ! Now there's an interesting concept - !