Messages

1

Gear Talk / Re: 2 wheeled trailer vs 1 wheel

« on: December 31, 2020, 11:46:16 am »

One additional convenience of a trailer is putting it on just about any bike. I used my Wike on my recumbent for years, and now on my Gunnar (Waterford) thin-walled road bike. My friend used his BOB on his carbon Trek Madone for years. These trailers attach to the rear axle, so no stress on the bike frame - the two-wheelers can actually be packed balanced front to back so also no weight on the axle! Agree with aforementioned shopping convenience with trailers: last summer I even bought a BOB bag for my Wike, increasing capacity. I can bungee shopping bags on top when near campgrounds and getting dinner groceries. Same experience as above with easy firewood packing at camp.
I also agree with the analysis of the BOB proneness to shaking which I've called tail whipping. I had no control at all, it's not even like a bike shimmy you can control with knee on the top tube, it's totally scary and you will go down. On the other hand, obviously BOBs and other single wheelers are used for millions of miles without issue, so it may be the flukes that take us down. I'm convinced the BOB that took me down had an un-parallel frame that made it inherently unstable, and paired with the poor loading there the wipe out was inevitable. Weirdly, the long story on my using the BOB involved lending my Wike to my friend and taking the BOB as he was unstable on his old but newly purchased Cannondale recumbent with the BOB. He also couldn't keep up with us. I took his BOB, then took more weight off the Wike onto the BOB to help him. Ironically, this was my downfall!
Lastly, the BOB does track right behind the bike better than the Wike, and one wheel is less friction than two. This convinced me to re-try the BOB on a recent tour with my Gunnar (upright bike, not recumbent), but the BOB took much more concentration to keep balanced, while the Wike is super-stable and forgettable. I won't go back to single-wheeled again.

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Gear Talk / Re: 2 wheeled trailer vs 1 wheel

« on: December 30, 2020, 07:01:43 pm »

I have experience with both. Many years using a Wike 2-wheeled trailer. Yes, the width can be an issue: I've flipped it hitting a curb cut a couple of times; no danger, it just drags upside down until you stop! The two-wheels seem to increase overall stability. Used a BOB on one tour only: it 'scorpioned' (tail whipping) on a 35mph downhill in Acadia, taking me down and breaking my Bacchetta in 3 places. User error with an unbalanced load was a likely factor as was a crooked trailer frame, but loading has never been an issue on the Wike.

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Gear Talk / Re: Which recumbent?

« on: November 18, 2020, 02:25:06 pm »

With my two high-racer style recumbents I was only about 6 inches lower than upright bikes. Great views of sky and what's around you. Enjoy the search when you restart in the spring!

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Gear Talk / Re: Which recumbent?

« on: November 17, 2020, 04:41:53 pm »

I suggest checking out Bacchetta's before you buy a new Rans: https://bacchettabikes.com/recumbent-bikes/. Several new are $2300. Wierd Bacchetta history is that the company was started by a brother of the Rans!
Used recumbents are from 1/2 to 2/3 new, in my experience. Owners often upgrade them - because they love them! - and hope to recoup what they put in, but it's really not realistic, so some good deals should be had, compared to new.
Shops will usually reassemble for about $50, there's not that much to it, in general.
Make sure you measure your 'x-seam' before you buy. This is the distance from the bike seat to the pedals. Measure by sitting against a wall with your legs fully extended, it's the distance from the wall to your heel. It determines what size recumbent to buy. Most have some adjustability, but a large person will not fit on a medium bike, and so on.
In my experience, the longer wheel base bikes are very comfortable, but take a bit more getting used to for steering and balance. They are a bit slower on uphills, but then most recumbents are slower up hill than uprights due to not being able to rise out of the saddle. All well-made recumbents should be faster on the flats than uprights from better aerodynamics, and more stable in wind as they are lower to the ground where there is less wind. Fairings make them even faster.
Enjoy!

5

Gear Talk / Re: Which recumbent?

« on: November 15, 2020, 10:33:45 pm »

I've owned and ridden several thousand miles on 3 recumbent models. I've also toured with them. I'm going to diverge from others' advice: go for a shorter or medium wheelbase recumbent. They will be more maneuverable on mixed surfaces. The neck supports work fine. I like superman bars best, but underseat is also comfortable; squirrel bars are the most twitchy. I know you said trikes are too wide; you might recheck the folding trikes which tend to be narrower, reason being it will be easiest on your neck. I do agree to try as many models as you can. Can't tell where you live, but if you are anywhere near Wisconsin the Hostel Shop carries a bunch of makes and models, and even re-sells some used in great condition. Have fun!

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Gear Talk / Re: Recumbent bicycles

« on: April 26, 2015, 11:34:51 am »

Overall, the 'high racer' recumbent is the most satisfying. All recumbents solve the 'not leaning over' issue, but the high racers are fast and relatively easy to ride and the most visible of recumbents. Look for Bacchettas with both wheels 650 or 700c, or similar form factors.

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Gear Talk / Re: What lube to use for touring.

« on: December 30, 2014, 09:52:00 pm »

Couple of hours to overnight seems to work. Never had a squeek for at least 1000 miles.

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Gear Talk / Re: What lube to use for touring.

« on: December 30, 2014, 09:41:06 pm »

I'm a fan of Chain-L. 'Secret formula' is pretty thick, like molasses. I drip it on each link of a new chain, let sit a couple of hours, then wipe of all excess. I get 1000 plus miles with this. On a tour I carry a small bottle which Chain-L says to wipe on a bit with a rag. I've done this a couple of times when squeaky. Don't know how many miles I get - I tend to lose chains after a few thousand miles due to stretch.

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Gear Talk / Re: Seeking Feedback on new gear system

« on: December 11, 2014, 09:27:55 am »

Key for road riders is smooth spinning. You are incorrect about low load on flats and downhills. Road riders often 'jump on' the gears with sprints and hard pushes at these places (sure the load is less than grinding uphill, but probably not that much). For weight and simplicity the device has promise.

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Gear Talk / Re: Best way technologically to be connected on an x-country supported ride ?

« on: February 14, 2013, 08:27:58 am »

I ride with Driftlessregion - he is true to his word. Having said that, he cheats and calls home on my cell phone... My phone doubles as my bike computer. It has been very helpful to have the navigator, but we tour self-supported and have no sag to look ahead to turns, gravel, etc. It is rare in my touring experience to be far from towers. I do have a generator hub to keep it lit. My smartphone has a fantastic dictation for emails so there is no typing to be done.

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Gear Talk / Re: Bob Yak Trailer? XCountry tour, thoughts?

« on: February 14, 2013, 08:19:42 am »

Just a thought on the BOB. 1/2 the loaded BOB weight goes on the rear axle of the bike. So, 23's are pretty narrow for it. I use a two-wheeled trailer. Undoubtedly a bit more drag from the 2nd wheel, but the tongue weight is almost none - can be negative weight if you load the trailer weight rearward. Mine - a WIKE - is super convenient and weighs the same as a BOB. Burley also makes some good carrying trailers.

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Gear Talk / Re: Generator Hubs and USB Devices

« on: February 14, 2013, 08:10:26 am »

Hi All
I have a B&M Son 20 generating front hub. it has about 6w power. I have it wired to a 'The Plug' which is inserted into the top of the steering tube. The Plug has a usb port. I mount my smart phone or light directly next to it and plug it in, easy as pie. I use my phone with iBike as my bike computer. I find the generator will keep the phone charged at whatever level it starts at. This is pretty phenomenal as the gps is going and sucks a lot of power. The light is no problem. In fact, a friend's light was dying, we plugged it in. After a few minutes it had enough power to come on from cold dead!
One note: I have to be going about 12 mph to get the smart phone charging, under that it wanes slowly.
Enjoy the touring.
Dave from Madison, WI

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General Discussion / Self Contained Touring in Northern Minnesota

« on: February 02, 2013, 12:25:32 pm »

Hi
I'm looking for information about cycle camping in Northern Minnesota, considering the Duluth-Grand Marais - Ely - Bemidji- Grand Rapids - Brainerd area. The usual info would be welcomed - route, condition of paved roads, traffic flow, stores, sights not to miss,etc.
Thanks
Dave from Madison, WI

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General Discussion / Re: Cross Country on a recumbent bike

« on: December 12, 2012, 10:21:34 pm »

I've done over 10 years self-supported touring with recumbents. Here's what's important to know. Trailers are better than panniers: less bulk than underseat panniers, more balanced than a rear-heavy rear panniers, and overall less weight on the bike. Two-wheeled trailers are vital, essential, and one-wheeled trailers are unsafe and dangerous and will take you down. I was taken down by one (a friend on his recumbent had one and I switched with him to help him out!). I was going downhill in Acadia National Park in Maine at 35 mph and the trailer went into a wild shimmy and took me down. This is not a matter of inexperience or poor handling - I've gone 50 mph downhill. Two wheeled trailers are inherently much more stable, and also take all the weight off the bike. So, please be safe. Several good two wheeled trailers are out there, from the commonly found Burleys to the less common Wike (Canadian) and others.
On another note, recumbents are great for touring - comfortable, good power on flats and downhills. You will work much harder on uphills, but I do it anyway!
Enjoy the ride.
Dave from Madison, WI

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General Discussion / Re: recumbent

« on: October 24, 2012, 05:21:38 pm »

A bit more I'll say: 10 years of recumbent touring. Panniers are efficient, but you have to manage them in rain, and if you hit gravel the heavier bike can be hard to get through. Underseat panniers make the bike harder to mount and dismount. I prefer a 2-wheeled cargo trailer, mine is a WIKE. It is the same weight as your combined panniers, very waterproof, easy to manage, visible, rolls through gravel pretty well.
All in all, love touring with the recumbent!