C y c l i s t Recumbent - Steve Briggs

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Letters To RCNWe want to hear what you have to say!letters@recumbentcyclistnews.comMarty Goodman and his AeroNew AeroI recently took delivery of my brand new,custom-configured, titanium Bacchetta Aero.I’ve been riding LWB recumbents, primarilyan Easy Racer Gold Rush, for many years, andI like my Gold Rush a great deal. But the Aerois far lighter, almost as aerodynamic as theGold Rush, but without need of heavy frontLexan fairing and body stocking and mountsfor same. It handles marvelously. And hopefullywill be better (as recumbents go) at climbing.Preliminary testing on the hill near my houseindicates I can climb in 3rd from lowest gearon my new Aero a hill that required lowest gearon my Gold Rush.The big question will be whether I can toleratea SWB highracer: as about one in 10%or so folks who get one find their feet getnumb, to the point of making it impossible forthem for a long period of time. Years ago Irode a Lightning P-38 for 30 miles, and hadno problems. But that was years ago, and thatwas a different variant of SWB bike. We’ll see.This bike is elaborately configured, with atitanium Rotor Crank crankset, that articulatesfor better power when mashing the cranksclimbing hills, chain with hollow pins, etc.optimized for weight and speed. Zach Kaplanhelped me decide on componentry, and soldme the bike. Master bike mechanic ConradOho assembled it.Marty GoodmanRCN Back IssuesIn nearly every issue of RCN one or moresubscriber, in a letter to the editor, mentionsreading their recently arrived copy of RCNcover to cover and then express sorrow in havingto wait two months for the next. Well, whynot give yourself a great lift this spring and buya dozen or so back issues you don't already6 Recumbent Cyclist Newsown? These might get you through three orfour between issue bad patches, or maybe evenuntil you could request another dozen as abirthday present, and then as a Christmas gift,etc., etc. This not only gives you year roundRCN reading, but extremely detailed knowledgeof the history and development of recumbencyover the last fifteen years. And it helpsour RCN. So start collecting RCNs. You're notonly getting some great reading for those miserable,35 degree, rainy spring days when youcan’t ride and it’s six weeks until the next RCNcomes out. You're helping the cause.John AldenLance & RecumbentsDr. Kim Henry's premise (RCN 084 letter)that Lance and the racing boys drive the marketis a bit off the mark. If you don’t thinkprice is what is holding back the recumbentmarket, just walk into any Wal-Mart, K-mart,or local bike shop that sells regular bikes.You’ll see that most bikes that the generalpublic buys are well below the price of eventhe cheapest recumbents. I don’ t know whereyou ride, but every place I’e ridden, I’ve hadtwo reactions from most folks that see my bike.First they thinks it's cool and ask if it's as comfortableas it looks. After that they ask howmuch it costs. Without exception, when I mentionthe cost, I see them shut down. I see thelook in their eyes that says “I’ll never affordone of those.”Now take a look at the recumbent market.You'll see that just like any advancing marketthere are the "latest and greatest" junkies thatbuy the stuff on top. But you’ll also see thatevery time they come up with a lower pricedmodel, the sales jump.Just look at Easy Racers and Sun. I’ve beenriding my EZ-1 for 3 years, I picked it for tworeasons:1. It’s was the cheapest one I saw.2. I could get on it and ride.The average person wants a bike they canpull out of the garage and go. They don’t wantto “get the hang of riding it.” And they don'twant to spent a months pay on it.KRASHEditor Comments: The only thing I might addis that you need to buy cheap recumbents froma good dealer to help with failures, possiblywarranty issues or other problems. I have hadthree bikes (under $1000) have wheel problemsthis season. All were black spokes onwheels that had machine-built in Taiwanwheels. A good hand built wheel is about $150,so the cheap aspect can go out the windowreally quick if there are problems. Often recumbentriders ride more than upright ridersso there is more wear. Luckily, cheap partsseem to hold up better on recumbents.Crank It!The crew at Crank-It wishes to thank youfor your Mountain Quad road test article inRCN 085. We truly consider it an honor to beon your top-ten favorite recumbent list! Wehonestly believe the Mountain Quad is the ultimateoff road HPV machine. As you found,the 24” wheel option can expand the off roadfun to a new level. We have been busy addingnew options for the Mountain Quad. We currentlyhave a seat back, strap-on 100 oz. hydrationpack system available and we have 20”studded snow tires available (just in time forwinter).The Crank-It crewwww.crank-it.comFoamie FendersHere is a photo of the foam fender on theback of my Vision Saber. Most high racersare set up for narrow very high pressure tiresand design the forks and chain stays accordingly,leaving little or no space for fenders —although purists would say that these dorkythings don't belong anyway. Although I onlyride my Saber on fast, dry outings, I don’t likethe black rubber road dust from tires gettingon my bag and jersey. I like to wear yellow forvisibility but the color does show discoloration.I bought this six-foot long foam watertoy at Wal-Mart for $1.67. It comes in severalbright colors and the stiff foam is intendedfor use in sun and water and is nonabsorbent.It is about three inches in diameter with a smallhole down the middle. I cut off a 18 inch pieceand sliced it diagonally long-wise. I thenSend Letters to theEditor of RCNIf you have something to say, a differingviewpoint or experience—wewant to hear from you! Please limitletters to 300 words. RCN reservesthe right to edit submissions for clarity,content, and space limitations.Please send to bob@recumbentcyclistnews.com or RCN, PO Box2048, Port Townsend, WA 98368
Roger Fuller’s foamie fendersRoger Fuller’s foamie fendersStaton Inc.’s Honda 49.3 cc “GX50”motor and gearbox cost $750.For more information check out:www.staton-inc.comThe GX50 and some additional bracingon a Sun EZ3. They also show a motorequipped WizWheelz trike as well —photos courtesy of Staton Inc.notched and hollowed it out to clear the brakearms and pivots and zip tied it on. Since thefoam easily compresses, this stage doesn't haveto be exact. In fact, the fender move slightlyunder braking with no discernible interference.The fender weights about two ounces-includingthe zip ties and total cost was about 35cents. If a benter only wants the fender for inclementconditions, it can be carried inside ofthe seat back straps with a few zip ties in hisbag. I find zip ties very useful to have on handanyway.A fellow travelerRoger FullerPower AssistI’m interested in combining my recumbentwith a touch of gas power, a small Honda 4cycle motor driving through the pedals. Is thereanyone out there who has already done this?My intention is a kind of hybrid that can powerme out to a dinner engagement, clean andwithout sweat, from which I can return withoutthe motor to burn off the carbs — a simpleconcept.Steve Chamberlinstevechamberlin@tds.netEditor Comments: Lightfoot offers it as anoption and has done some electric/gas experimentation(Honda generator). Staton Inc. hasthe best set up I’ve seen: www.staton-inc.com.Looking for a Good ClimberI live in western Pennsylvania and it is veryhilly. I am definitely hooked on recumbentriding because of the fun factor and comfort. Ihave a fancy Lemond racing bike that climbslike a Ferrari, but I hate riding it for obviousreasons. I own two recumbents, a BikeERoadE and a new Giant Revive which I doctoredup with 21-speeds. The BikeE is muchfaster and a better climber of the two, but from30 mph and p it is scary as hell. The Revivehas a 20” wheel in front and is very stable atspeed, but a lousy climber and slow comparedto the BikeE.Letters continued on page 28. . . Editorial cont’d from page 2RespectWhile I don’t think I’m a typical recumbentcyclist due to my transportation cycling,I believe that my needs from a recumbentare very typical. Perhaps I pushthe equipment more than most, which isgood from a review standpoint.My aim is not to disrespect sport riders,but to point out that there are many typesof recumbent riders, from recreational cruisers,to Lycra-head racers, to car-free utilityRecumbent Cyclist NewsBack Issues For SaleWe have a limited number of each of theseback issues for sale. The rate is $5 eachpostpaid USA/$6 Canada/$8 Everywhereelse. Buy 5, get one free.❑ RCN 086: 2005 Season Preview: What’s New inRecumbents; plus our Recumbent Componentover-view, a must read;Tribute to Gardner Martin.❑ RCN 085: Crank It quad & HP Velo Grasshopper❑ RCN 084: GS GT-3, Actionbent, Giro, Rotor crank❑ RCN 083: HP Velo Street Machine & ‘Bent GPS❑ RCN 082: Bacchetta Corsa❑ RCN 081: 2004 Season Preview/Buyers’ Guide.❑ RCN 082: Bacchetta Corsa; Sun EZ tande.❑ RCN 080: BiGHA; Cycle Genius CGX; RANSScreamer tandem; Windcheetah Kit.❑ RCN 079: Easy Racer Tour Easy; RANS Stratus;RANS V2; Euro Seat SWB Instalation.❑ RCN 078 :Catrike Speed; Hase Kettwiesel;Velomobiles.❑ RCN 077: Greenspeed GTT; Bacchetta Aero1000 Mile.❑ RCN 076*: ICE Trice trike; Volae Intro; CGALX20.❑ RCN 075: HP Velo Spirit; Barcroft Columbiatandem; WizWheelz trike.❑ RCN 073: Bacchetta Giro; Bacchetta Strada &Aero.❑ RCN 072: Sun EZ Sport; Why We Sold Our Car.❑ RCN 071: Penninger Trike; Burley Hepca; BurleyCanto and Burley Nomad trailer.❑ RCN 070: Lightfoot Ranger❑ RCN 071: Rotator Pursuit; Cycle Genius STX(CLWB version); Pantour suspension nub)❑ RCN 069: Cannondale; Trimuter Trike; GS GTO.Name:__________________________Address:________________________City:___________________________State/Zip:_______________________Email/Tel:_______________________Mail To:RCN, PO Box 2048Port Townsend, WA 98368For faster service, visit our website andorder via PayPal:www.recumbentcyclistnews.comriders — and everything in between. Don’tget caught up in which is best or make judgmentsabout cyclists that are not up to yourparticular standards. Be realistic about yourbicycle use and be comfortable with it. Ifyou’re selecting a new bike, be sure to askmore than just, “how much does it weigh.”Calendar Note: Be sure to check out allof the great 2005 recumbent events in ourcalendar on page 29 of this issue.Viva Recumbency!Bob Bryant ◆March/April 2005 7
Page 1 and 2: RecumbentC y c l i s tNewsRCN 087 A
Page 3 and 4: Recumbent NewsTerraCycle reinventst
Page 8 and 9: . . . WizWheelz cont’d from the c
Page 10: Options & Accessories: WizWheelz ha
Page 13 and 14: sent me a digital photo that showed
Page 15 and 16: The Sun Edge fairingThe Sun seat-ba
Page 17 and 18: the fork weighs just 375 grams.Stee
Page 19 and 20: STELVIO:BIG APPLE:16" 28-349,17" 32
Page 21 and 22: heavier than SWBs, and won’t go o
Page 23 and 24: the optional handlebars.)Finish: Ou
Page 25 and 26: Now I Know Jack (knife)By Tom Beuli
Page 27 and 28: ike types. It largely depends on ri
Page 29 and 30: RCN CalendarThe Bike Center Recumbe
Page 31 and 32: March/April 2005 31

C y c l i s t Recumbent - Steve Briggs

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