Re: Bikes?
Update my ol trusty MTB got stolen today! I recovered it before in NYC and am looking for vengeance.
Update my ol trusty MTB got stolen today! I recovered it before in NYC and am looking for vengeance.
Bikes?
- Thread starter Evan Kirkendall
- Start date
Re: Bikes?
I've been thinking about bikes for a year or so now. I'm doing more downtown living and have been interested in folding bikes. MING CYCLE INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
Then, an interesting thing happened in Chicago. There is a company installing bike sharing docks all over town. $75/yr for unlimited 30 minute trips. I haven't tried them yet but it looks interesting. Divvy Bikes | Your bike sharing system in Chicago
Got a question about recumbents. Would any of you consider them workable in the city? They're a bit longer, aren't they?
I've been thinking about bikes for a year or so now. I'm doing more downtown living and have been interested in folding bikes. MING CYCLE INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
Then, an interesting thing happened in Chicago. There is a company installing bike sharing docks all over town. $75/yr for unlimited 30 minute trips. I haven't tried them yet but it looks interesting. Divvy Bikes | Your bike sharing system in Chicago
Got a question about recumbents. Would any of you consider them workable in the city? They're a bit longer, aren't they?
Re: Bikes?
If I were riding in the city, I'd look at a design with less extreme positioning.
My Bacchetta Giro 20 can be set up with the seat in a more upright position than shown earlier in the photo. When set up like that, you are easily at the same head height as most car drivers. Now, this is not as high up as on a regular bike necessarilly, but unlike you're head position on a road machine with drop bars, your head angle is upright like in the car, and it's much easier to look around you. Even on most mountain bikes, the riding position is similar except in the entry level machines.
Most recumbents have wheelbases longer than the 1m norm of upright bikes. There are some short wheelbase designs out there. Rans make one that has about the same wheelbase as mine, called the Enduro, which may get you more upright than the Giro:
Enduro Sport
Rans also has a range of what they call "Crank Forward" design uprights, which may be the best solution. Back relief, yet upright.
Crank Forward Bicycles
I've always thought these would be a very cool city bike, and who knows, you might be able to put together a rig for hire that you could pedal to the client.
8Freight
Haven't seen an importer for the U.S. unfortunately. Silas, you want to weld up some 4130 aircraft tubing for me? ;>)
Best regards,
John
If I were riding in the city, I'd look at a design with less extreme positioning.
My Bacchetta Giro 20 can be set up with the seat in a more upright position than shown earlier in the photo. When set up like that, you are easily at the same head height as most car drivers. Now, this is not as high up as on a regular bike necessarilly, but unlike you're head position on a road machine with drop bars, your head angle is upright like in the car, and it's much easier to look around you. Even on most mountain bikes, the riding position is similar except in the entry level machines.
Most recumbents have wheelbases longer than the 1m norm of upright bikes. There are some short wheelbase designs out there. Rans make one that has about the same wheelbase as mine, called the Enduro, which may get you more upright than the Giro:
Enduro Sport
Rans also has a range of what they call "Crank Forward" design uprights, which may be the best solution. Back relief, yet upright.
Crank Forward Bicycles
I've always thought these would be a very cool city bike, and who knows, you might be able to put together a rig for hire that you could pedal to the client.
8Freight
Haven't seen an importer for the U.S. unfortunately. Silas, you want to weld up some 4130 aircraft tubing for me? ;>)
Best regards,
John
Re: Bikes?
My recumbent is 90 inch overall length, 64” wheelbase, never felt that length was a problem in traffic. Only problem might be storage. Also good to put up a visibility flag.
Mark Stonich, the leader of the Minneapolis HPVL (human powered vehicle league) at the time when he helped me build mine, used to ride his similar recumbent to work from South Mpls. to downtown year round! He changed to fat tires in the snow season.
He also built a (longer) tandem recumbent, he and his wife could turn at pretty low speeds with that.
Drew,
My recumbent is 90 inch overall length, 64” wheelbase, never felt that length was a problem in traffic. Only problem might be storage. Also good to put up a visibility flag.
Mark Stonich, the leader of the Minneapolis HPVL (human powered vehicle league) at the time when he helped me build mine, used to ride his similar recumbent to work from South Mpls. to downtown year round! He changed to fat tires in the snow season.
He also built a (longer) tandem recumbent, he and his wife could turn at pretty low speeds with that.
Re: Bikes?
Well guys, I ended up with the Trek 1.5. Very satisfied with my purchase to say the least! Very smooth & quiet ride. It effortlessly gets up and goes. Plus the guy at the bike shop gave me a killer deal on it! Thanks for the advice and I'm looking forward to some solid riding!
Evan
Well guys, I ended up with the Trek 1.5. Very satisfied with my purchase to say the least! Very smooth & quiet ride. It effortlessly gets up and goes. Plus the guy at the bike shop gave me a killer deal on it! Thanks for the advice and I'm looking forward to some solid riding!
Evan
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Re: Bikes?
I'm fairly upright on my recumbent, and it's generally fine. Can't hop curbs, which might be a big deal in the city. I never had much of a problem with that riding around a college-town "city" (Ann Arbor). I wouldn't be able to put my bike on the rack on the front of a bus, though.
I'm fairly upright on my recumbent, and it's generally fine. Can't hop curbs, which might be a big deal in the city. I never had much of a problem with that riding around a college-town "city" (Ann Arbor). I wouldn't be able to put my bike on the rack on the front of a bus, though.