Chopper recumbents in New Mexico - Steve Briggs

The Recumbent Bicycle
by Dan Henry
The desire for more and more speed has perhaps fathered more vehicular
designs than any other single consideration. And so it has been with this
recumbent bicycle. I was seeking greater speed and I found it. But even
more exciting, I found undreamed of ease and comfort.
The recumbent bicycle, as such, is not a new idea. Over several
generations a number of them have been shown and tried on bike tracks
around the world and outstanding performances have been recorded.
Previous versions were either ridden on one’s belly in a swimming
position, with the pedals at the rear, or on one’s back in a reclining position
quite like that assumed on a deck chair. On this second type, feet were
extended horizontally forward with pedals convenient to this position. Less
successful designs utilized some combination of crank and rod instead of a
conventional chain drive. In all cases, the prime object was to reduce
aerodynamic drag by reducing the square unit of body area passing through
the air. Aerodynamic drag is by far the most formidable barrier to attaining
greater speeds.
All recumbent designs insofar as I can determine, failed to prevail and
never achieved mass production or distribution. Usually just a single unit
was hand built.
Much of the failure appears to have derived from the inability of the
cyclist to sustain himself for extended periods on the bike because of
physical distress. One or a number of physiological factors placed them in
disfavor. Additionally, it is my belief that they also failed for a variety of
mechanical and economic factors.
The recumbent shown here was conceived after a careful study of
photographs and drawings of a goodly number of previous designs. My
goal was to build a speedy bicycle that would be comfortable and a
pleasure to ride.
This bicycle is fast and has the drive and float of a tandem. A real
speedster and fun machine. Fun for the person on the bike and a fascinating
and amusing occasion for most spectators. Unlike any other bike that I
have ridden, I find an aura, an invisible envelope of contagious excitement
seems to follow it down every road upon which I ride. Faces light up with
childish delight as I pass and this adds immeasurably to the pleasure of the
day’s outing. The phenomena is quite unlike simple ridicule to which
cyclists have become accustomed.
Technical Details
Except for the frame, which is silver brazed of ultra light CroMo aircraft
tubing, it is built from conventional bicycle parts, or other equipment likely
to be found around the house or in a neighborhood hardware store. Many
parts have, however, been modified by heating, bending, cutting, etc. Not a
single part was machined especially for this bicycle.
The most novel feature of all is the remote steering arrangement. A false
steering head supports the handlebar and steering is accomplished by a
chain drive from this false head to the true steering head at the front.
Seat of Furniture Webbing
The seat is constructed of old handlebars and furniture webbing very much
like the webbing of a folding chair. Sitting comfort is comparable to that of
a webbed chair. The seat in its present version, shown here, is the fourth
type that was tried. The three that were discarded were equal to or better
than the ordinary standards of bicycle comfort but fell short of the degree
of comfort that I had hoped to attain.
Spring Suspension
Both wheels are spring suspended for the elimination of road shock. This
suspension is similar to the one employed on a more conventional bicycle
previously described in American Bicycling 1967.
The wheelbase is longer than a tandem and about twice that of a
conventional bicycle. This extreme of wheelbase gives exceptional
comfort. The rider being suspended well within this long wheelbase, results
in his receiving but a faction of the amplitude of shock received by the
wheel.
Hub brakes are employed because of the spring wheels. The conventional
rim brakes are not feasible with this arrangement.
Normal riding position is relaxed and natural imposing no discomfort. In
several of the photographs it is apparent that the riding position assumed
greatly reduced the aerodynamic drag factor. On the recumbent, substantially
the biggest reduction in drag is derived by both the arms and the legs
entering the air stream endwise rather than full or partially broadside, as is
the case on a conventional bicycle. The torso is about equally situated in
either case.
Increase In Pedal Thrust
One’s thrust upon the pedal is considerably greater than can be achieved on
a regular bicycle. It is quite like sitting upon the floor with your back
against the wall—in this braced position a force much greater than one’s
weight can be imposed upon the pedals. On the conventional bike, your
weight approximates the maximum thrust.
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