congrats on the new blog - looking forward to the latest on chainless technology.

Just want to say that I ordered an Outback this past Saturday (for my 65th B-day yesterday) and am looking forward to receiving it this week.
Am hoping riding it has a positive effect on my arthritic knees, along with dropping lbs. and just being fun.
BTW, I got a pretty bland reaction to my question: "Shaft-drive bikes must be the coming thing?"at two local bike shops. We have to change their attitude! Chains are archaic! Rick V in Minnesota

Very nice, from reading your emails I'm excited about your points of view on cycling and beyond and look forward to reading and interacting on the blog.

Most bicycle-shop workers don't know much about shaft-driven bicycles. They are always selling the lighter, "faster" racing-style bicycles that have little relevance to the way people actually ride.

I am having an ongoing conversation with a friend who owns and operates a small bicycle shop in northeast Georgia, and he is intrigued by Dynamic's product line. He said that his serious customers are obsessed with the overall weight of their bicycles, and maybe this is because they are riding mostly in the mountains. For them, it's gotta be carbon-this or titanium-that.

I have suggested that he bring in a few Dynamic bicycles and offer them as rentals. I think the response would surprise him.

And I've also suggested for thim to build a lightweight Sprint. He is a master wheelbuilder, and he could bring the overall weight of a Sprint down to the point where it would get everyone's attention.

This blog is a great initiative. Now there's a single real place to discuss this or that chainless model.
As much as I love snow (we had another 25cm this morning in Montreal) I can't wait for spring to try my new bike out. For now I'm stuck riding it in our appartment building garage ;)

Looking forward to reading more about the chainless revolution!

Got a Crosstown 8 last year and have put in many happy miles. When I moved from a chain-driven motorcycle to shaft drive I decided I would never again buy a bike with chain drive. Now that I own a chainless bicycle, I'm nearly ready to make the same commitment.

But I have one criticism. I bought the Crosstown 8 to help me lose a lot of weight, but since I have not yet lost the weight, I find I cannot wear your new T-shirt because you aren't making them big enough. I'm still a scary 3XL, and my neighbors will not appreciate it if I ride topless! Next order, make them bigger?

And consider my problem with finding good riding shorts!!

I love my little Sidekick and drive it everywhere. But I have found that although it folds easily, it is awkward once folded, since there is nothing that holds the wheels together, for example, and you can't just roll it along once folded. Also, a carrying or covering bag or packing case might be useful, in case one needs to pretend that This Is Not A Bicycle, So I Can Bring It In Here.
And so, moving on, since I am getting no younger: how about a chainless semi-recumbent tricycle???

On my birthday (2weeks ago) I realized that I had just clocked my 1000th mile on my Runabout. Overall I am very happy with my bike.

I ordered it with a front disc brake, fenders, and rear rack. I had to return the rack as it didn't fit with the Runabout's frame, and I was disappointed with the absence of toe clips. Patrick remedied both situations quickly, however. The front disk brake works very well, even after 20 plus days of rain riding this winter. The rear brake..not so much. The stock linear pull rim brake required frequent adjustments, and I finally ended up loosening it to near uselessness in order to stop the constant rubbing of one pad or the other.

I do wish there was a useful maintenance manual on the website with good pictures. After 800 miles it was time to re-grease the bottom bracket and rear gears. The rear wasn't a problem so much, but I was rather at a loss with that little nipple on the bottom bracket. I think I got the job done with a grease gun I bought at PEP boys, but there is really no way to tell. Can someone describe the best method of re-greasing the bottom bracket on one of these bikes? How can one tell if the grease is actually making its way through the nipple into the bottom bracket?

I acquired my Switchback in August of 2007 for the specific purpose of riding the Carriage Roads in Acadia National Park in Maine. As a 700cc type bike rider for over 50 years, I suspected that I would have little use for the Switchback once I had accomplished my life-long dream.

To my surprise, I found that comfort range of the Switchback to include riding the rather flat bike paths of the Cape Cod Canal to riding the more difficult and muddy carriage roads of Acadia Park.

The low maintenance requirements of the Dynamic bicycles are most impressive. The carriage trail ride was made under extremely muddy conditions because of the frequent thunder showers. All it took to get ready for next day ride around beautiful Schoodic Peninsula was a quick wipe down of the Switchback. With a conventional chain drive bike, it would required the removal of the chain in order to clean it.

I'm also impressed by how easy it was to get the bike ready for another season of riding.

Thanks Dynamic for making a simple to ride and maintain bicycle. At 76, I hope to add a few more riding years.

Ordered my 7 speed hardtail Mt. Bike from you last year.
After total hip replacement on 8 May 07.
When Dr. gave me OK in Late June. I tried out your bike and my new hip.
VERY HAPPY with both!
My first ride was 16 miles on a rails to trails path.
No worrys about dust eating the sprockets or chain.
I hit the wheels and frame with a "Swiffer" and blow it off with air compresser . Done & Clean...!
Spring coming soon in PA. I can't wait to get out!
Great bike!
BTW, I talked about a local outfitter (River rafting & Bike rentals) about your bikes. They seem interested.

PJJ

Response to Jon. Sorry to hear you were having trouble with the rear brakes rubbing on the rim. This usually means the wheel is slightly out of true, maeining it wobbles a little when spinning. This happens over time with wheels. For about $10-$15, your local bike shop can true your wheel and reset your brakes for you so they won't rub anymore.

As far as greasing the front gearbox, as long as you push the grease gun up agains the nipple when pullng the lever on the gun, the grease is going in fine. With a full size grease gun, 3-4 quirts is plenty. With the mini grease gun kit that we offer, 6-8 squirts is normal. As a preventioni, greasing the gears every 600-1000 miles a great idea. However, if the gears need grease more oftent han this, they will let you know with a bit of rubbing or squeeking, meaning the gears are pushing against each out without any grease. You can't really damage the gears this way, but adding grease will make it run much more efficiently and quietly.
We are also trying to add more tools and documentation on-line. We have our manual on-line as well as some new videos for common adjustments. We'll keep at it. Stay in touch.

Reponse to Bairbre. We continue to evaluate carry bags for the Sidekick, but have to settle on one we like. We'll keep you posted via email if we find one we are going to offer or recommend. As far as rolling the bike around, it is actually designed for this. Once you fold up the bike, use the velcro strap that came with the bike to hold the two sides together. The two wheels will be parallel. Just push the bike with the seat like a stroller. It works great.

Ordered the Outback last weekend - got it yesterday (Fri.) - spent the night adjusting and puttering with it and now have a big problem.....it's just too pretty to ride!
Truly - it belongs on a pedestal in a museum of modern art. Not one line or shape or texture or color is less than perfect! I don't even want to get it dusty...but I will! It's below zero lately up her in MN, and I blew out a disc a couple of days ago, so I have to bide my time a bit. (A note to the warehouse folk - the left rear axle cap-nut ripped a hole in the shipping box. There needs to be some kind of plastic barrier disc on both axle caps to keep them from poking through the cardboard like the one on the front wheel axle.) Once more, I want to say: this bike has the same functional beauty I study in nature - hummingbirds, hawks, dragonflies - who woulda thunk a full-suspension shaft-drive bike would look like it had evolved for millenia! Enough gushing - I hope it rides like it looks...

Well - it does. Love the suspension, the super-strong disc brake, the silent knife-through-butter shifting. Rode it twenty-five blocks at 3:00AM in 25 degrees - quads ache, but arthritic knees feel GOOD.
All journeys start with the first steps - I am WAY out of shape, but I may have finally found a way to get my heart thumping hard that's so pleasant it's not a chore. My arms are even a bit wobbly - this is GREAT!
Rick V in MN (Oh yeah - increasing the rear shock pre-load is just a matter of twisting the spring-seat nut along with the spring, isn't it?
I can find no mention of adjusting it in the manual. The fork leg pre-loads are a snap, of course.)

OK - I started out hardly able to go a few blocks a few weeks ago, and now I can keep pedaling for a couple of hours, although I'm pantin' like a dog chasing three rabbits. And I didn't have the seat nearly high enough - now it's way more comfortable!. The big thing is that I need a much wider, fatter seat for my old bony butt. Luckily, the big local bike shop is letting me try some cushy seats as long as I bring 'em back like new. I've also tuned the front and back pre-loads to absolute minimum - even bad potholes are more of a soft whump than a hard whang.. Each night I go out, I come back loving this great machine even more. it shifts like a blink of your eye - makes no more noise than the whisper of rubber on asphalt, and gets my 65 yr. old heart thumping away like an old buffalo. What could be more healthy?
One tiny negative: since it's mountain bike frame geometry gives it very quick steering (minimum fork rake, short wheel-base, etc.), riding 20-30 mph on pavement, gets a little more exciting than I like, but I'm getting used to it, and it's great for zigging among bad potholes.