Messages

31

Gear Talk / Recumbent advice?

« on: March 03, 2006, 05:59:32 pm »

My fellow "bentists", have thoroughly enjoyed reading these missives on recumbency. Being a "Trikist" most of these priciples apply where learning of or converting to recumbent cycles is concerned. I can only add that where Tadpole Trikes are concerned that when one turns, one has to lean as well else you will "roll". That said I have to admit that I fondly remember that with 2 wheels it pretty much involved balance on a vertical axis starting with the tires and stopping at the top of the helmet...I do miss that. Other than this I tell people that recumbent riding is like pedalling around on a lawn chair, and with a trike if I need to stop on an incline I just pull on the brakes and keep my seat, when I start to slow way down I don't have to balance myself, and my personal favorite, when I pull into my campsite I already have a good seat. enjoy the voyage fellow benters.......Mark of the Dalton Boys

32

Gear Talk / Recumbent advice?

« on: December 21, 2005, 06:47:04 pm »

....after I get this HUGE grin off of my face, I will be only too happy to send my first impressions....why does my face hurt? Enjoy the voyage.....Mark of the Dalton Boys  PS - No worries on the indoor trainer, I live in Austin, TX. Woo Hoo!!!!

33

Gear Talk / Recumbent advice?

« on: December 21, 2005, 09:09:18 am »

OmahaNeb - Well after a bit of a delay, I took delivery of my tadpole Trike Recumbent yesterday (WizWheelz 3.6) and thus far this is what I've found: as advertised, when I get into a campground there will be no need to pull out a seat, (already "on" one), although I've yet to go up a steep hill my trike came with a strap for the brakes so if I stop on an ascent I can put on the brakes and take a break, and finally...that much fun (as you reported in an earlier missive) is, I believe illegal in at least 37 of the Lower 48 States!!! Won't be able to commute with it as the wheelbase just makes it impractical, but do live near a heavily used by cyclists road. Enjoy the Voyage...Mark of The Dalton Boys

34

Gear Talk / Recumbent advice?

« on: October 19, 2005, 06:19:53 pm »

OmahaNeb - I freely admit here that going downhill on a 2 wheel bent bike is probably more efficient as the balance factors more closely resemble a DF two wheeler. I have read (I haven't taken delivery of my trike yet), that trikes do not lend themselves to a hell-for-leather descent and that I seem to hear that 18 mph is a rather distinguished average speed on the flats....again I have only what I've read to base an opinion on. The steering requires a little getting used to but that once mastered is as natural as when we first learned to ride a bicycle (remember the thrill?). I'm getting a WizWheelz 3.6 CroMoly frame that weighs in at just over 36 lbs. but I need nearly bulletproof if I'm gonna be hangin' out there like Johnny Appleseed without the apple seeds plus I've got this Aussie Cattle Dog that strangely is happy to see me everytime I get home....loyalty like that deserves a "tour" so there's a trailer there, and then I plan on hooking on a BoB trailer and by golly although I won't be fast, I'll see a lot and hopefully won't hurt so much at the end of the day. I'm so looking forward to re-inventing myself after retirement!!! There are a couple of trike riders at the Veloway here in Austin TX. one on a Scarab and the other on a CaTrike and they've been most helpful in answering questions....the CaTrike guy kept up with me on my Lightspeed road bike....he looked so much more comfortable. Enjoy the Voyage and I'll keep you posted on the discovery process.....Mark of the Dalton Boys

35

Gear Talk / Recumbent advice?

« on: October 19, 2005, 10:32:37 am »

OmahaNeb - Comparison by virtue of literature only. I've ridden a long wheel base recumbent w/under seat steering, and a have been a long time admirer of the Bachetta for its utter simplicity and effectiveness of design. With a tadpole, (near as I can figure) the resistance is less of a factor than a DF bicycle (same lack of resistance as a regular recumbent). Now the footprint of a tadpole trike is wider and I'm uncomfortable with that having been car-less for 6 years now so the "dicey" nature of cycling with vehicles becomes exacerbated given the footprint. Well, in my mind its a factor that I'll have to accept. I don't think I have more or less of a gear inches advantage between a trike and a "regular" recumbent so all of these considerations were what led me to my decision to go with a tadpole trike. I am a "late-comer" to bent riding/technology, but I believe the benefits are incredibly obvious with the seat and its location as well as other virtues. Thanks for asking, and please offer any advice you may feel appropriate for me....hey I've done some homework, but I'm not a resident expert. Enjoy the Voyage.......Marki of the Dalton Boys

36

Gear Talk / Recumbent advice?

« on: October 18, 2005, 04:23:38 pm »

Here's my two cents worth.....I'm getting my first recumbant within the month after riding DF's steadily for the past 6 years(55 y.o. now and no car). I'm getting a tadpole trike with the consideration that I'm going to be wider than ever before BUT when climbing a steep hill I will not have to a)maintain my balance, b)if I need to stop I apply the brakes and take a break...in place, and c)when in camp I'll already have a great seat. I'll continue to commute on my MTB in town.  Regards...Enjoy the Voyage.......Mark of the Dalton Boys

37

Gear Talk / pannier advice

« on: August 09, 2005, 10:48:13 am »

Howdy folks...any non-waterproof panniers constructed of Cordura or any other similar "big weave" material can be treated with Scotchgard and made largely water resistant. One will periodically have to re-treat for water repellancy, and a large can of Scotchgard isn't the cheapest in the world, but it does work albeit not as well as Ortliebs, or other panniers/bags made of herculite. Just wanted to suggest an alternative for the cycling masses.....Enjoy the voyage  Mark of the Dalton Boys

38

Gear Talk / shelter

« on: June 22, 2005, 12:21:36 pm »

Copius application of seam sealer will make all but Wal-Mart cheapos a good tent. Are you near an REI, or EMS? Look in your yellow pages under camping/hiking equpiment. As others have written, 6 lbs. and less is the optimal weight. I have a Kelty one person that is 4 lbs and change and I know could handle two people. You can go palacial, but you've got to haul the weight. Enjoy the voyage - Mark of the Dalton boys

39

Gear Talk / semi slicks on the great divide???

« on: June 16, 2005, 09:55:37 pm »

Specialized Armadillo's; awesome, no flats on road tires in over a year. Tioga city slickers on my hardtail mountain commuter....no flats in over two years commuting on city streets of Austin, TX. Tiogas also went over cross country course when it was bone dry on the ground....no problems.  enjoy the voyage....Mark of the Dalton Boys

40

Gear Talk / disc brakes

« on: June 05, 2005, 06:12:16 pm »

lissa - I'm assuming that your current configuration of disc brakes accomodates hooking the BoB to your bicycle. Providing that is not an issue (some Avid Disc's have proven too wide for the BoB Fork), then the rest is common sense in that a disc system being more efficient or "twitchy" will require slower speeds on downhill, and/or a feathery touch. In and of itself though discs shouldn't prove a detractor from doing the CD. Enjoy your Voyage...Mark of the Datlon Boys

41

Gear Talk / ?? about BOB trailer

« on: June 21, 2005, 12:34:43 pm »

Annie - Standing can be a unique experience to be sure. The "wobble" factor is inherent with the BoB and standing on the crank is accomplished with practice. The further forward one leans when "gettin' on it" the more of a "wobble" factor you will generally incur. What works for me is keeping my body straight and that tends to keep things more manageable but is not efficient when going up a steep incline. Hope this helps. Enjoy the Voyage  Mark of the Dalton Boys

42

Gear Talk / ?? about BOB trailer

« on: May 31, 2005, 01:18:19 pm »

Annie - Bobtrailers would have on their website a support section and you can get manuals, and flags. The best thing about their (BoB) flags are that they break down into two parts making it very "stowable". Also the recommended load height for a BoB is 18" above the highest portion of the trailer frame. I try not to get anywhere near that...the trailer works best when the load is at, or slightly above the highest portion of the frame. Enjoy the voyage.....Mark of the Dalton Boys

43

Gear Talk / ?? about BOB trailer

« on: May 26, 2005, 01:09:04 pm »

Annie - do a search for "Bobtrailers.com" and they have a similar forum to the one here. Most or all folks therein (myself included) are BoB trailer owners. To address the issue specifically I have to agree with OmahaNeb's assessment...packing is the culprit probably. Two things, 1)Max recommended speed as per the owners manual for BoB's is 30-35 MPH under ideal conditions, 2)For generally flat travelling its generally recommended to load heaviest items center low and rear of BoB, and if you are climbing more than less its heaviest center low and front. On the BoBtrailers forum there is a claimed speed record of 52+ MPH and I'm not sure a hiccup wouldn't have spelled disaster (balance & load factors you know), never mind a certain lack of emergency braking capability with the "one-wheeled-wonder" pushing you along. I own no car (that's another story), and my bicycle with a rack trunk, and/or BoB trailer (IBEX) take care of most every need from the in town errands to the KATY RailTrail. Oh if you haven't thus far, please use the flag on the BoB...they are not looking.  Enjoy the voyage  Mark of the Dalton Boys

44

Gear Talk / Surly Long Haul Trucker

« on: May 26, 2005, 01:22:47 pm »

debudebu - Have you considered an Extracycle kit???. Have to agree with other respondents in this vein given the huge wealth of knowledge....can't add anything there. If you do get back around to a larger budget the Surly would be an excellent choice. Enjoy the voyage  Mark of the Dalton Boys

45

Gear Talk / Anyone name their bike?

« on: May 24, 2005, 01:02:32 pm »

The Myata MTB is "the pick-up truck", and the Litespeed road bike is "the Lamborghini", and living in Texas I spend most of my time on the pickup truck. Bob trailer once a week for groceries, runs to the Home Depot......Regards  Mark of the Dalton Boys