The Really Big Recumbent Thread

[Tim Brink]

Here is another comparison chart. 

[Tim Brink]

And a story I wrote a while ago about the legends of the early 'Argus' Tours, Lloyd and Wimpie.

 

Only have a pre-editing copy, so ignore the caption-here bits and any errors . 

 

[Tim Brink]

The other pages.

[Tim Brink]

"Bother" said Pooh.

 

N+1

 

[pauljk]

Hi Tim (and others).

 

I wished I'd seen this thread earlier.

 

I'm very keen on recumbents.  I have two 'bents, and I ride them almost exclusively.  Honestly, I find them much more fun than upright bikes.  And why 'bent cycling is not more popular than it currently is remains a mystery to me.  They are safer, much more comfortable, and faster (provided the terrain is not too hilly and provided the bike is configured for speed).

 

I live in Joburg, and would be keen to hook up with others who ride 'bents or who may be interested.

 

Thx,

Paul Kotschy

[pauljk]

Hi Tim (and others).

 

Attached here are some pics of my two recumbents.

 

Rgrds Paul.

[Cois]

Even Homer has one

 

Marge rode one as well....

 

[Nick]

Noob question: Do those really long chains come with any challenges?

[pauljk]

Hi Nick.

 

The long chains come with two problems:

 

1. Routing---Compare my first and third pictures.  In the third, I routed the chain above the front wheel.  In the first (and most recently), I routed the chain adjacent to the front wheel.  Routing the chain above the front wheel obviously prevents the chain from interferring with steering.  But two extra chain idler pulleys are required, thereby increasing chain resistance and weight.

 

I recently decided to route the chain adjacent to the front wheel so as to reduce that resistance and weight.  Also, I have found that steering interference is minimal when riding.  It is surprising how small one's steering movements are when riding.

 

2. Weight---The long chains are heavy.  Yes, they contribute to overall bike weight.  My "stick" recumbent (second pic) is about 12kg.

 

That said, provided that the terrain is not too hilly, my bikes' offer an aerodynamic benefit which outweighs the weight detriment.

 

Thx,

Paul Kotschy.

[Tim Brink]

How cool is this!

Older video, but gives an idea of how big this is: a schools recumbent race series...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_HPV_Super_Series

Check some of the lap records:

[Woham]

I have built three recumbents, one of which I still use in the Centurion area now and then. The second was exported to Holland, and the third is very much a work in progress.

I have done two Argus's on the blue bike recording 3h04.46 in 1997 and 3h01.05 in 1999.

I would welcome more bent riders to ride with in the Jhb/Centurion/Pretoria area. 

[DJR]

How cool is this!

................

Indeed 

[Cois]

I wish I could get a MTB recumbent. I know you get them but I am not 100% sure that I will be able to use it on the trails close to home. That and the problem that the sun is my enemy at the moment.

Even with SPF 50+ I am not 100% friends with the sun.

 

And must say I love that video on the 24 Hour run.

 

Guy Martin set up a record for 24 hours tandem ride. And they built a recumbent for this purpose. Quite a lot of run to watch the episode if you can get your hands on it