Your questions to Lahar for The MTB Show.

[scratchy]

OK,
The masses have the floor. I'm planning to chat with the creator of Lahar in the next little while for a future podcast of The Mountain Bike Show (see area on this forum or iTunes).

What questions do YOU have about these crazy frames. I'll catch up with No Skid Marks as well, as it's been too long, but for now. Post your questions here!

(From memory there was a very active post on Lahar, with a review) check the latest Revo for a full frame review.

Here is the farkin review: http://www.farkin.net/page.php?zp=2bbd5d

[mike-]

What pushed you to used the newer G-Boxx design over the conventional derailleur set-up?

[NH_]

why carbon fibre in such a radical frame design?

[karlfaith]

How long does it take to manufacture one frame. (with g/box installed).

[Plow King]

Do you think your unconventional frame designs set you apart from the other companies?

What are the reasons behind the rear chainstay being so low to the groundon your Downhill bike?

What happens if a carbon fibre frame were to crack, could it be repaired?

[S.]

What is currently the biggest obstruction to getting more of these out there?

Carbon fibre is widely regarded to be particularly vulnerable to weaknesses caused by scratching/impacts etc, how do you protect against this?

[NCR600]

What about degradation of the resin used in the manufacturing process due to UV exposure and the like? How many hours of use can one of your frames take before you would consider it to be unsafe?

Why use such a revolutionary design and materials instead of an evolution of current best practice?

What do they put in the water in New Zealand that produces such forward thinking designers who can come up with world beating products with so little resources (John Britten, Bert Munro, etc etc)?

[flognoffsky]

How much has the bike changed from 2007 to 2008?

[mongoosedh]

Can I have one?

[fatass]

Why is the chainstay soooo low to the ground? surely (whoa, forgot how to spell that for a minute!!!) you would hit it significantly in 2 years or so of riding and it doesn't look like the type of tubing to survive any impact (so thin)?

[MrPlow]

Why is the chainstay soooo low to the ground? surely (whoa, forgot how to spell that for a minute!!!) you would hit it significantly in 2 years or so of riding and it doesn't look like the type of tubing to survive any impact (so thin)?
Maybe you should search the other thread for that one??

How about marketing? I noticed the website is no different? Do you place low priority on that and for what reasons if so?

[fatass]

Maybe you should search the other thread for that one??

How about marketing? I noticed the website is no different? Do you place low priority on that and for what reasons if so?

Maybe you could search it for me?Nah don't worry bout it, but ... never mind.

[Cameo]

Why are you called "Lahar"?

[meatlovers]

OT: Can we see your girlfriend/wife's shirt, "Town Bike" that you mentioned in the first one?

[big ral]

Are they working on any new bikes?

[Daver]

Is there really a pubic hair in every frame?

What limitations do you see from a gearbox design?

Would you consider a (less expensive?) aluminium version?

[No Skid Marks]

I'm going to ride mine now,but when I return I'll contact Lahar to answer some questions(even though it's all been done in the review)and get him to contact you Scratchy.
Lahar is a downhill mud slide caused by a volcano,Lahars frames are made in volcanically active Rotorua NZ.
Here's a little home experiment for you all to try.It's a loose comparison,but...
Get some Aluminium foil and some paper(ask mum first).
Place a small tear at the top(middle)of both,this will represent a scratch on a frame,the paper will loosely represent carbon fiber and the aluminium,well it'll be an aluminium frame.
Now pull apart on both sides of the small tear.

[Ryan]

In a cage match between you and S. , who would emerge victorious?

[LTR]

If requested, are you able to do custom geometry on an MK9?

[ajay]

Plans of mass production world dominatain? Or is "low quantity boutique niche market" where you will stay?

[Giantrider]

Got any plans for any other bikes? Hardtail, slopestyle frame, cross country?

[LaHaRider]

Just bought my Lahar from Liv Johnston. wot a bike! sticks to the floor like glue, vastly different to my 224 but in a very good way. Liv told me it takes at least 2months to make 1 of them. well worth the wait!

[RacelineBoy]

I rode the Lahar couple of weeks back and didn’t like it. I found it really uncomfortable and didnt like the bike design in general.

But the Lahar performance level are good for some 2 top u17 riders Dave Scandrett and Pete Cooper have been winning a lot of races on the Lahar bike. The bike design had input from guys like 03 NZ#1 Tim Nelson, national champ Nathan Rankin, ex junior champ Wyn Masters, pro podium regulars Byron Scott, Punter, Scotty Sheldon contributing to the geometry, it shouldn't be a surprise.

Are they working on any new bikes?

I believe they are, a new m8. I could be wrong tho.

My question is why such a different frame Design ?

[top_dog]

Why did the price go up so much when you became 'known'?

[No Skid Marks]

I rode the Lahar couple of weeks back and didn’t like it. I found it really uncomfortable and didnt like the bike design in general.
Did you ride it downhill fast?
I believe they are, a new m8. I could be wrong tho.
My question is why such a different frame Design ?The model numbers go up with every frame change. I think it'll be a while before a Mk10,as the Mk9 is fairly dialled.There is talk of something new but not for DH.
The 9 has more travel over the 8 but more sag also,keeping the wheels on the ground more and providing better traction.If that's what you mean. If you mean compared to other frames,then I don't think Aaron the designer followed any textbook rules as the Lahars evolved. I'm sure you'll hear a more in depth response from Aaron in the interview,but this is bascicallly what I've been told.
Scratchy please let me know if you want this errased.

[Oddjob]

Any plans to introduce a carbon trail/all mountain design?

[Viv92]

Why did the price go up so much when you became 'known'?

Or a better question, why can't we see the damn price? I'm still hanging out to know what they cost. How did you find out top_dog, pretend to buy one or something?

[No Skid Marks]

The price is $6500au,for the frame package. This includes,frame,floater,Fox DHX5,Rohloff chains,Saint cranks,chainring and bash ring,integrated headset and BB(sealed bearings),rear Carbon hub with BMX sprocket,Rohloff as gearbox,and shifter.So your getting most of a bike. Any other boutique frame with a drivetrain will cost well over that, will need more than 25ml of oil changed annually as maintanence,and will not last a tenth of the life of the Rohloff.
The price had to go up unfortunatly.
I'll try not to derail this thread again,if you want answers replied to,please post them in the Lahar thread on here or PM me.
http://forums.farkin.net/showthread.php?p=1145590#post1145590

[scratchy]

LOL, it might be easier to say what the package DOES NOT include!

[cjaty]

Being an australian website why isnt this about CRAFTWORKS.

[trouble]

What made you choose the design, so different?
and how strong and reliable si the rear triangle as it gets very thin at the chainstay?
Why did you make it soo ugly?