I like this bike test summary

[Matno]

Helium pump kit for tires, shock and forks would round it out. (Yes, I am contemplating it).

Why? It won't make any difference in weight. Sure, the molecular weight of helium is small, but so are the molecules, and when compressed, more of them fit in the same space - thus no weight advantage. (I've heard much more professional sounding explanations on this from chemists detailing the whole reason, but I don't remember all of that!)

Does helium have compression properties I don't know about that differ from regular air? What difference would that make?

Just curious...

[Simon]

Matno,
Personally I feel it does a little, unsure how other feel about it,the AL s/arm also
stiffened things up abit,I feel the rest of the flex is in
the frame at the pivot point,your 5000 won't have that problem,

Terry I'd have to have those X-O Trigger shifters,woooh have you seen the price  

Sprucey have I opened a can of worms there  
anyway think you know my opinion on the French
so I'll leave this debate  [smiley=laughing.gif]
Simon.

[shovelon]

I am obsessed with big tires. And I got lots of helium to play with. Not much to lose except maybe a half pound.

I would love to visit France someday, also Great Britain, and Switzerland. Spain and Italy come next. Anyway did you know that a lot of Hollywood celebrities ( including my stuntman brother-in-law) are buying places in France? Does France make any Mountain bikes?

Terry

[Frankd3000]

  [smiley=worry.gif] [smiley=blankstare.gif]

Summary article - I agree with Ionit on the "summary" - it's a disclaimer. Speaking of which - this is just my opinion. [smiley=laughing.gif]

Mavic - i'm not impressed with their rims anymore after owning 4 of them. Poor machine work. Always wanted them, got them.... gotta get something else next time. Maybe Alex or Sun/Ringle (why does everyone NEED to mention the Ringle part of that? It's not like they make what they used to anymore)

Bike - I like the World Class rear ends. Couple that with a 4-5" fork with a platform, a shock with a platform, some lightweight parts, a few custom pieces for added bling factor over the competition and .... oh wait, that's MY bike. [smiley=laughing.gif]

Disclaimer - all of this is just my opinion and should not necessarily be viewed as fact. Batteries not included, some assembly may be required, some cars not for use with some sets, skill level 2, does not come exactly as shown, buyer pays actual shipping costs. ... and a partrage in a pear tree.

Yeah, i'm off my rocker tonight! [smiley=nod.gif] [smiley=redface.gif]

[Matno]

I am obsessed with big tires. And I got lots of helium to play with. Not much to lose except maybe a half pound.

Actually, you might be right. I've heard that Helium leaks through tubes faster (once again, the smaller atom size), so you might REALLy be losing something...

If you're truly obsessed with big tires, check out this baby from Interbike:

It's the Surly Pugsly. Once again, a full rigid singlespeed (what is it with those guys?!), but this one seems to have built in suspension. Supposedly, you can run these 4" monster tires as low as 5psi!!!

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2005/tech/shows/interbike05/?id=interbike052/DSCN0127

[shovelon]

I LOVE those tires!

Yep the helium molecules are smaller. But there are more of them. Right? [smiley=laughing.gif]


Terry

[will]

Wowie kazowie...

What a random thread! Helium, Single Speeders, Molecular Weight, and France. [smiley=groucho.gif]?

Can't resist donating my two cents... (Is that tuppence Simon?)

Helium will leak out of your tubes/ust in a New York minute. My company uses it to leak test hermetic systems instead of other gases because the molecules are something like two orders of magnitude smaller than air.
In any case... at the same PVT, helium will be way lighter than air. (That's why blimps fly.)

France... hmmmm... better keep quiet on that one.

[Simon]

Wowie kazowie...

What a random thread!
Can't resist donating my two cents... (Is that tuppence Simon?)

Thats close enough in my book Will  [smiley=laughing.gif]
Yep thread has gone a bit off topic but thats fine by me,we're all friends here,its like having a cosy chat in the Pub  [smiley=beer.gif]
Simon.

[Dennis]

here's my 4cents:

helium will leak out immediately. I own a remote controlled blimp and even with the mylar bag, an appreciable amount of helium leaks out in a day. can't imagine that rubber would hold the helium at all!

France and Hollywood celebrities - good, maybe they will all move to France and South Hampton (LI,USA not UK), Aspen, Vail, North Dakota, Montana and places like that will go back to everyday folk who actually contribute to society in some meaningful way. whenever I see that so called "celebrities" have moved in to a place, I know that that place is on its way to ruin. btw, doesn't celebrity mean fame? so how can one be "a" celebrity? weird, huh?

single speeders - cool, but really, what's the point? I can see wanting to uncomplicate things, but most single speeders I have seen have disc brakes and at least front suspension, kinda ruins the whole simple thing, doesn't it?

molecular weight - helium is waaay lighter than air (see my point about blimp above) but are tiny molecules, so tiny they will absolutely pour through your rubber tubes and you will be riding with nothing in your tires. suggestion: what about nitrogen? they use it in race car tires because it expands very little with temp. so tire pressures remain constant.

back to concocting my anodizing plan.

[smiley=groucho.gif]

[rapiddescent]

singlespeeders...

well i like the perverted-ness of it.  a singlespeed bike with full suspension and formula disk brakes and carbon this n that.

singlespeed bikes ride so well and just feel uncomplicated.  I love my singlespeed although it is a bit of a killer on the hills in scotland.  Been riding my geared bike a little more lately.

callum
rds

[shovelon]

Dennis,

Help me out here. From what I remember, Helium molecules are small, and possess a high degree of molecular distraction in the gaseous form. Air, which is comprised mainly of nitrogen, is heavier because of the degree of molecular distraction is low, packing them more densely in mass.

Contrary, water in the liquid form has a high degree of molecular attraction. To illustrate, an ice cube(solid) formed square, suspended in a weightless environment, will form a sphere upon turning liquid. The molecular attraction of the H2O molecules cling tightly to each other.

The jist of my question inquiry is, because of the low density of helium, will the gas compress more than nitrogen?

Yes, I tried to build a perpetual motion machine when I was kid. Batteries, motor, and generator, in a vacuum.

Terry

[Carbon_Angus]

singlespeeders...

well i like the perverted-ness of it.  a singlespeed bike with full suspension and formula disk brakes and carbon this n that.

singlespeed bikes ride so well and just feel uncomplicated.  I love my singlespeed although it is a bit of a killer on the hills in scotland.  Been riding my geared bike a little more lately.

callum
rds

I like mine too (857) but having a time chewing up the jockey wheel on the singulator. had a regular derailler down there once..worked perfect...but not cool looking enough for vain me! [smiley=beer.gif]

[Carbon_Angus]

Thanks for the thread Simon

I have four bikes, two get ridden often. the other two, sparingly. Depends on my mood. Thank god for variety.

The best bike is the one I am riding at the moment.

[smiley=beer.gif]

[K2perv]

since this is a VERY broad spectrum thread i'm going to go back and tell simon that i just bought the new xo shifters and they are freakin' fantastic!  i broke the left pod lever on my x9's with my knee (at the same time as i shattered my helmet) and figured:  hey, why not upgrade?  these things shift so well i can't wipe the smile off my face (although it might be the concussion).  i'm sure my credit card bill will take care of that, though.

[Simon]

since this is a VERY broad spectrum thread i'm going to go back and tell simon that i just bought the new xo shifters and they are freakin' fantastic!  i broke the left pod lever on my x9's with my knee (at the same time as i shattered my helmet) and figured:  hey, why not upgrade?  these things shift so well i can't wipe the smile off my face (although it might be the concussion).  i'm sure my credit card bill will take care of that, though.

So we can have perfection [smiley=laughing.gif]
glad you like them and your okay after your crash

just reading through some of the replys I noticed the disclaimer word mentoned a few times and have to agree that could be seen to be the case,
however (though its creeping in) most mags don't usually worry about disclaimers over here and just say it as they see it,eg if its rubbish then thats what they'll say they don't usually sit on the fence or as we say mince there words,sueing is still a fairly new concept over here to the average mere mortal  .
Simon.