The DUH dropout system looks awesome! Who can pull strings and get Surly to sell these to frame builders? Am I correct in thinking that they used to sell some small components to builders?
3 Likes
The new avinox launch with the cylindrical battery got me kinda excited since Iâve been thinking of doing an ebike version of the lugged frame, but have been waiting on a good cylindrical battery option.
I guess MOQ on those units could be quite high though and getting the 3D models might be impossible for small builders. If anyone has any info on that it would be appreciated.
1 Like
You should post up if you find a cost/ supplier for those! I was thinking⌠it would be cool if someone released a structural battery that would work as a down tube. Could reduce size and weight even more. Something like z-couplers on the ends. 
1 Like
Go with MAHLE X20. Send me a message if you want more info.
1 Like
Not a structural battery, but a fine solution I agree. Batteries inside tubes makes more sense with aluminium because the material properties lead towards a larger-diameter thicker-wall tube anyway. But Reynolds have made it work with steel and the Mahle batteries.
As for a âstructural batteryâ Iâm not sure thereâs really any such thing. It would just be a battery inside its own piece of tubing. Batteries are naturally quite flimsy things.
1 Like
In Reynolds, we have develop a DT and dropouts for MAHLE X20. In steel and Ti. As I said before, drop me a message for more information. So far the builders have given a good response and some beautiful bikes have been made.
2 Likes
More the idea that the battery itself has a case, and that case could be made structural, instead of batteries in thier case, wrapped in down tube. 
1 Like
You could of course. But there are some downsides. You would want to paint it the same colour as the bike, which means youâd have to try and match the colour if you ever replaced the battery. I also wouldnât like leaving my bike locked up outside my hotel without a downtube in case somebody bashed into it or sat on it or something and bent the unsupported main triangle.
1 Like