#behind the scenes · #biketech · #product launches ·

Project N1: Our Effort to Create The Last Bike You'll Ever Need

We finally did it. We created the bike that does everything well rather than just well-enough, fully realizing the one-bike vision that inspired the launch of Thesis and creation of our first model, the OB1.

Unveiled for the first time in the Enduro Bearings booth at Sea Otter, the adaptable-geometry prototype you see here (outfitted for gravel up front and road in back for dramatic effect) transforms from a fast and responsive road bike into a stable and capable gravel bike and everything in-between.

Featuring classic road aesthetics, generous tire clearances, extensive component-compatibility, and thoughtful design to make setup and service a breeze, our intention is for this to be the only drop-bar bike you’ll ever need.

Relative to road bikes, gravel bikes are characterized by slacker head tube angles, increased fork offsets, longer wheelbases, bigger tires, and dropped bottom brackets. While components and fit are substantially similar, considerable differences in positioning, handling, and tire clearance have long meant choosing between a terrain-specific bike, a blended all-road bike, a partially-adjustable bike that compromises some geos for others, or an entire stable of single-purpose bikes. This is part of what gave rise to the belief that the optimal number of bicycles is always one more than you currently have - N+1.

But what if one bike could be many bikes?

That was the inspiration behind “Project N1”, the code-name for our effort to create the first bicycle that adapts quickly and completely from road to gravel and everything in between.

Rotate, Stretch, Drop

Project N1 switches from gravel geometry to road in just a few minutes with nothing more than a hex wrench. When swapping wheels, you simply loosen and slide the diagonally-sliding rear dropouts to completely transform the bike’s character.

To switch into gravel mode, just slide the rear axle up and back. This slackens the head tube angle while increasing the wheelbase for stability, and drops the BB to correct for larger tires (making the rider feel more in the bike than on top of it). The lengthened chainstays enable generous tire clearances of 700x51mm (29x2.0”) and 650x57mm (2.25”) with a 68mm road BB for chainline and q-factor, without having to revert to dropped chainstays.

To finish the transformation, you invert the flip-chips in the fork (currently under development) to move the axle 10mm away from the caliper. This extends the fork’s axle-to-crown distance, further slackening the head tube angle. At the same time, it allows fork offset to be corrected and front-center to be increased for bigger tires. Utilizing a 160mm rotor on their road wheelset and a 180mm rotor on gravel eliminates the need to move the caliper when swapping the flip chip, while providing enhanced braking power off-road.

“Figuring out how to make the swap between modes simple and approachable for novice riders with limited mechanical knowledge was essential to the success of the design. We’re happy to say that it’s incredibly easy to switch the bike between gravel and road setups; going from end to end on the rear sliders completely transforms the bike without any need to tinker with the brake caliper. This is truly a do it all bike that people will be able to swap between a road and gravel bike as frequently as they want to, enabling an immense amount of latitude within one bike. The idea was to vary the handling from Land Cruiser to Lamborghini, and without a doubt it delivers.” - Co-Developer Sam Jackson

 

Our Rider-Centric Approach

While we designed the geos and features for each ride experience, we engineered the platform for reliability, serviceability, and adaptability to make sure it delivers those experiences for years if not decades to come. This philosophy is reflected in our longstanding commitment to proven open standards, extensive component-compatibility, and future-proof design.

Highlights include:

  • Threaded T47 68mm BB
  • Straight 44mm head tube
  • Round 27.2 seatpost secured by a traditional collar
  • Future-proof UDH & Transmission-compatible dropout system
  • Micro-adjustment screws the rear dropouts
  • Compatibility with 1x/2x mechanical & electronic, internally-geared hub, & single-speed drivetrains
  • Support for fenders, racks, dynamos, wired lights, and droppers as well as partial-internal, full-internal, & full-external (fork-only) routing.

The Road Ahead

While we've yet to finalize pricing, we will be providing updates and a special pilot-program offer via our newsletter and dealers. Titanium production is slated for Fall 2024, followed by a performance steel version with customizable specs curated to fully unlock the benefits of this new platform at an extraordinary value.

For updates, sign-up at: https://thesis.bike/pages/n1-signup.

To share your questions, ideas, & feedback with us, please drop us a line at: https://thesis.bike/pages/contact.

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