mmiller wrote:
Mileage, mileage... we need to add an odometer for you Ryknster!
Hahaha. No need for you to add an odometer. I already use one and have an accurate record of each trip. I only find the time to use the Mirage on the weekends and my trips are photography related, not mileage oriented.
Quote:
I just got a chain, sprockets, crank and service on my mountain bike for $260 bucks. I don't even ride that much.
I used to be a hard core bicyclist and found myself having to redo cheap bearings sets frequently until I went to higher quality Phil Wood bearing sets. Then I was able to go for years before having to replace the sealed bearings. In terms of bicycles, the current Outback that I own, has the equivalent of the cheapest hub sets ever made.
I hate to be a pessimist, but I believe in time, you will find Hobie faced with an onslaught of repair and part failure issues. My Outback has been having repair issues with standard parts so I can only imagine the wear issues related to the turbo fins that Hobie will be experiencing in the future. I only got to use my turbo fins a half dozen times before it failed.
At one of your next R&D meetings, please throw in the idea of using high quality stainless parts, sealed bearings, with tight tolerances for a higher quality version Drive Unit. Some people would be willing to pay more money for a more reliable Drive Unit. Plus, if you do a little engineering research, I believe you'll find smaller surface contact on sealed rotating objects will produce more power with less work.
In three years time, I will have gone through three Drive units. This should not be normal for someone who just goes out for an average 11 mile trip on the weekends.