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I'm new to the forum, but have been tinkering with low hp snowbikes for utilitarian slow speed use for a few years. I've built a couple using a 13hp Honda engine.
In my last build, I cut a 136" track with 2" lugs in half lengthwise to make a single rail, 7.5" wide track. On such a low hp bike, the difference was astounding, regarding track speed, efficiency moving through the snow, and the handling was amazing, so nimble. The float was sufficient for 4-6' deep powder with a good base, which surprised me for such low hp. I felt like if I had around 50hp it would do better than a typical Timbersled.
This got me thinking that current snow bike designs using 12" wide tracks might be robbing tons of efficiency, not to mention handling . A 7.5" wide Half Track bike would take way less power to move through the snow, and what you lose in float you would make up for in track speed, lighter weight, and efficiency pushing through the snow.
My last build was fully rigid with no suspension, was bearable to ride on packed trails up to the powder, albeit not super comfy, but was very smooth and fun in the powder.
My next build will have no suspension for simplicity, to save weight, and be sub 200 lbs. I'd like to get the bike down to the 150-175lb range with 50 hp. We'll see how my theory turns out.... flame away, haha.
In my last build, I cut a 136" track with 2" lugs in half lengthwise to make a single rail, 7.5" wide track. On such a low hp bike, the difference was astounding, regarding track speed, efficiency moving through the snow, and the handling was amazing, so nimble. The float was sufficient for 4-6' deep powder with a good base, which surprised me for such low hp. I felt like if I had around 50hp it would do better than a typical Timbersled.
This got me thinking that current snow bike designs using 12" wide tracks might be robbing tons of efficiency, not to mention handling . A 7.5" wide Half Track bike would take way less power to move through the snow, and what you lose in float you would make up for in track speed, lighter weight, and efficiency pushing through the snow.
My last build was fully rigid with no suspension, was bearable to ride on packed trails up to the powder, albeit not super comfy, but was very smooth and fun in the powder.
My next build will have no suspension for simplicity, to save weight, and be sub 200 lbs. I'd like to get the bike down to the 150-175lb range with 50 hp. We'll see how my theory turns out.... flame away, haha.
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