Comments on: Finally, bikes for sale in DWR

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 25 May 2009 21:14:29 +0000

Phil:
"From a functional standpoint, this isn't innovative."
Me:
That is true as ShaftDrive bikes have been around for many years.
Phil:
"A shaft drive isn't any better than a chain and a chaincase, and more expensive."
Me:
Oh, yea?!? then you come over and fix my bike when the chain comes off and gets jamed in the chaincase.
Also.. I doubt the sealed shaft will rust and lock-up like chains when stored in damp or even wet conditions!

By: bumpe

bumpe — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 02:52:00 +0000

Thylacine’s comments are interesting in light of the fact that I, for one, am a ‘non-rider’, now completely intrigued with the notion of purchasing…a biomega copenhagen. Its remarkable design, pure and simple, is the singular point of re-introduction. I would further beg all bicycle designers to avoid trying too hard to look 21st century- design archives are a veritable graveyard of what we thought the future should look like. The biomega copenhagen design offers up the one thing we hope the future will have – clarity.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 01:54:00 +0000

I just test rode the Schwinn Continental Electric which looks exactly like this..but with power. So this is clearly a design mode that has reached critical mass consumption. It has me convinced this is the solution to hills that would otherwise deter well-intentioned but injured or slightly out of shape middle age folks. The shaft drive and internal hub are smooth and the thing handles like my roadbike. There is no flex whatsoever. The lower stay is very beefy and there is some extra gusseting in the frame to further dampen any weakness. For me this drive train coupled with power produces a zero-maintenance, hill-flattening and well-handling machine.

By: Charles W. Day

Charles W. Day — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 02:12:00 +0000

Posted by: Peter | May 14, 2007 at 02:59 PM

I would be very cautious about buying a Biomega. My own experience has not been good, especially about Biomega honoring their 3 year warranty. Specifically, about eight months after purchasing a Biomega Copenhagen, I started to experience a grinding noise coming from the pedal crank case, where the gears connect the shaft of the pedal with the drive shaft. What I observed was a wobbling pedal shaft, because apparently either the crank case cap was improperly fitted or not tightened enough. The worst part was trying to get Biomega to honor their warranty or effectuate a remedy. Based on my experience, I wouldn't count on obtaining any support from Biomega. The bottom line: I regret having bought a chain less bicycle, but more so a bicycle made by Biomega. Choose another manufacturer.

By: Thylacine

Thylacine — Mon, 21 May 2007 07:17:00 +0000

But again, the Biomega bikes are designer rubbish. There's nothing radical about them and by stocking them, NOBODY is appearing 21st century, all shops that stock them will appear laughable in the worst sense because they're not urbane, they're not innovative, and they're not designed to get non-riders or even those thinking about getting into the urban cycling lifestyle actually onto bikes.

Honestly, I think the sooner designers stop drinking their own kool-aid, the better.

And I'm saying that AS a bike designer.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 07 May 2007 23:45:00 +0000

the ‘commuter’ retrowave is on us! check Elektra’s new line of old skul, and peep this -

http://www.monoclemagazine.com/shop/skeppshult_monocle_bicycle.php

By: John

John — Wed, 02 May 2007 17:23:00 +0000

I was also pleased to find DWR is now selling Biomegas. Previously, the nearest dealer to me in Houston was Uptown Cycles in Dallas. Now if DWR would just start selling the Mark Newson designed Biomega…

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 15:31:00 +0000

Point taken. And I’ll also register a name here shortly so as to not be ‘anonymous’. I think the fact that they are pushing a shaft drive as per my previous comments speaks to the distribution. The frame builders forum has some interesting comments on it as well.
Bicycle: Tool for a better future, or design tchotchke?

By: James

James — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 16:47:00 +0000

Michael, you are right. It will be interesting to see how the US Biomega dealers react to this. There really aren’t all that many shops that carry the brand, so we will see. It is not too different form bike brands that sell in independent bike shops as well as major catalogs. Litespeed in Colorado Cyclist comes to mind.

Phil, I wouldn’t call this partnership innovative (I think that word is overused these days), but I do think selling bikes in this channel is a good idea, especially for a company like Biomega. I am not sure that the price is too high for the target market. A person who spends $1200 on a couch might not buy a $1200 bike, but take a look at some of those furniture prices. Many people spend $3000 or more on couches, $350 for video ipods, etc. If the bike’s design really connects with those fairly affluent young consumers, I don’t think price will be a deterrent.

The reason I said “Whether you like their bikes or not” in the post is because I knew the shaft drive discussion would arise. This post is more about the distribution channel than the specific product, but you and the anonymous commenter are right. Shaft drive bikes have been around since the late 1800’s without really catching on. They are no doubt more complicated and less efficient than a chain drive system. Still, I have never ridden one of these bikes, so I can’t really comment. Keep in mind that manufacturing tolerances have improved since shaft drive bikes were popular over a hundred years ago. I still like good old efficient chain drive systems, but I would like to ride one of these before discounting the idea.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 22:23:00 +0000

I’m not familiar with this bike’s drive, but historically, shaft drive bikes have been a disaster. They always appeal to non bike savy people as a seemingly ‘new’ way to get rid of dirty chains. Bicycles flex, and are essentially very unprecise. A chain can accept misalignment, flex, ect ect. A shaft inside of a frame member can’t and it has proven fatal for shaft drives since the turn of the previous century. It is also heavier, more expensive to produce and to maintain.