Messages

46

General Discussion / How fast do you ride?

« on: August 10, 2005, 02:41:41 am »

I'm a pokey 'bent rider.  At first I worried about my speed but I finally realized what others have said.  The point is to enjoy the ride, at least for me.  I average about 10 m.p.h. including breaks.  I am debating whether or not to get a computer.  My hesitation is because I don't want to become a slave to the numbers.  Ride at your own pace.  When you get tired, rest.

47

General Discussion / Tire Liners for Puncture Protection

« on: August 08, 2005, 12:26:06 am »

I think they're great.  I commute and tour on my bikes.  All of them have tube liners and heavy duty inner tubes.  If I get two flats a year that is a lot.
When I was doing mountain biking I used them with heavy duty tubes and very rarely got a flat.  

If you take a little time to get them in right it will save you time on the road fixing a flat.  The other thing is they're cheap so why not just buy some and do the experiment?

48

General Discussion / Why no Recumbents Bicycles in AC?

« on: August 29, 2005, 09:25:55 pm »

Earlier on someone mentioned the demographics of 'bent riders.  I'm 42 and ride a 'bent simply because I want to.  I didn't have back pain or any of those medical problems.  One motivating factor for the switch for me was that the traditional bike seat is not meant for the human butt.  I think one reason it's mostly middle age and older people riding 'bents is the price.  There's also the fact that when you get older you don't give a crap about being trendy.  If I had the money I would have bought a nice touring trike.

I don't see a need for many articles about 'bents.  I am more interested in things like supplies, repairs, where to camp, routes, good pizza along the way, etc.  

I don't like the us vs. them kind of crap.  I can't stand bicycle snobbery.  A bike is a bike.        

49

General Discussion / TransAm with no training?

« on: April 17, 2005, 02:27:10 am »

I think a recumbent is the way to go.  I've been on a Rans Rocket for a year now.  I'm planning on doing the Trans Am next year and I decided to get a long wheel base instead of using the Rocket.  I decided on a Burley because they have some in a decent price range, and because I live in Eugene where they are made so parts are easy to get for me.  I bought the Burley so recently it's still in the shop getting tweaked for me.  I test rode a few different LWB Burleys and the ride is a lot smoother than on a SWB.  'Bents are much easier on your bum but you still get sore after several hours.  Fortunately you can get off for a while and walk it off pretty well.  One drawback with the Rans seat is that it is a sponge covered with cloth.  When it gets wet it stays wet for a long time so even after it stops raining you will get a wet butt for a day or two.  A Rans Rocket is not a bad bike for a first recumbent, but I'm sure looking forward to touring on my Burley.  I went with the Canto model.  It is convertible between SWB and LWB (although they call it medium wheel base).  I don't plan to convert it.  I got it for the disc brakes and the raised crank.  The raised crank means my legs are straighter when I'm climbing and that is more efficient.  The disc brakes are because I'm a big guy and going downhill with gear I want good stopping power, and if the rim bends a little the brakes won't rub.  

So anyway, for the sake of comfort a recumbent is the way to go in my opinion.  The sitting position makes more sense.

50

General Discussion / vegetarians

« on: March 04, 2005, 05:16:45 am »

I'm wondering what difficulties vegetarians have had finding decent food along the way.  I've found that even on driving trips it can be hard to find decent veggie food.  I don't imagine finding BBQ tofu on a stick will be as easy in Kansas as it is in Eugene, Oregon.  I know some supermarkets now carry a decent variety of veggie foods, but I'm not sure if it's regional or not.  Is there tofu east of the Rockies?  

51

General Discussion / Thinkin' about a trike

« on: May 08, 2005, 06:41:00 am »

Thanks for your responses everyone.  I went with a two wheeler after all.  I got a Burley Canto recumbent.  Maybe my next one will be a trike.  

52

General Discussion / Thinkin' about a trike

« on: February 22, 2005, 08:32:07 am »

I'm planning to do the Trans Am in 2006 and I don't want to do it on my Rans Rocket.  It's fun in town but I have noticed that on really steep hills I can't go fast enough to keep the bike up and I'm all over the place.  A trike would solve the problem of balance on hills and solve the panniers/trailer debate.  Any trike riders out there willing to share some pros and cons?  Does the comfort trump the weight in your opinion?