My second ride on a Recumbent. And my third, AND fourth, AND.....

[BiggJawn]

Hey, comments, anyone?

I corrected the chain rub problems and hooked-up the shifters and rear brake. Since this design uses a 20" wheel in a 27" fork, the brake won't fit without creating a new bridge to hang the caliper on.

I need to get some padding on the seat. My back is sore in the spot that contacts the seatback. It shifts better than I expected, with a bottom-end SIS derailleur in the back and I can see the front derailleur so getting it in the right spot is easy.

Handling is twitchy. Don't know how much of that is the geometry and how much is me not being really used to it yet.

This is NOT a bike for people who hate being the centre of attention. EVERYBODY stops what they're doing and stares as you spin by...

I installed a cyclometer, and so far, best top speed is 17 MPH. Perceived egffort at that speed seems to be on a par with a "wedgie" bike. Maybe when I get it out on the road and don't have to worry about a stop sign 1/4 mile ahead I'll see higher speeds. Number One reason for building this thing is my love affair with SPEED. I'm talking a full fairing and taller gears eventually....

GOT to get rid of that front knobby! "Buzzzzzzzzzzzzz"...

Comments, anyone? Please?

[Longhorn]

1. I don't know anything about them except what I've read.

The instructor at my road course has one and he said they are quite fast. He rode his at a recent MS 150.

It must feel funny to be down so low -- like when I went from a van to a sedan to my Mustang. Amazing that you built it yourself! :thumbsup:

[BiggJawn]

4. It does sit pretty low.

Puts my head about the same height as my butt when i'm on one of the "normal" bikes...

I gotta do something about that front tyre, though. That BMX knobby sets up a horrendous vibration at much over 16MPH. and I KNOW it's sucking the life out of my top end...

[Fovea]

5. look into

kenda kwests or primo comets.

Either makes a great front tire in 406iso.

[welshTerrier2]

2. never been on one ...

congratulations on building one ... no way would i ever attempt it ...

i've read that recumbents are supposed to be extremely comfortable ... i've also read that you should be able to keep pace with upright bikes except when going uphill ... recumbents are apparently a bit more difficult to push on the uphills ..

for safety, i've seen people attach a pole to the back of the bike with a bright orange flag on the top to increase visibility ...

sounds like you're on your way to having a great new toy ... keep us posted on your progress ...

[BiggJawn]

3. I dunno about being so comfy...

You get jarred pretty good by the bumps because you can't lift yourself up and take the impact with your legs, nor can you "bunny-hop", either. And granted, I only have a piece of plywood for a seat right now, but an un-broken-in Brooks is still more comfy. Now, since you ARE sitting entirely on your bum, therre's no strain on the hands or wrists, and you're more or less upright, so no neck strain, until you hit one of those spine-compressing bumps...

And as for climbing, well, I haven't tried a long slog yet, but going up and over the Railroad RoW, I just downshift and PUSH real hard against the pedals. more power than on my "wedgie", because I don't climb standing. I have a MTB triple crank that I'll install and see what kind of climbing ability a 27" gear gives me.

[Fovea]

6. One key to climbing on a bent

is to shift into a higher gear and push up the cadence.
What kind of pedals are you using?

I highly recommend either SPD clipless or PowerGrip straps, because bents really reward the rider who can spin an efficient circle.

All I ride anymore is bents, and last week I rode the whole KATY trail.

Pad that seat, as you will really notice a difference.

[Kolesar]

7. Wow, the whole Katy Trail

I did two rides on it near Hartsburg and Marthasville. Did you use the shuttle company and make a continuous tour of the trail?