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#21
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Quoth "NYC XYZ" :
| Donn Cave wrote: | ... "Recumenbent" does mean "laying | down", though. | | Which should suggest comfort...that's the main point of these bikes, | after all...why don't everyone sell a headrest option I don't know.... You can try it. In general you don't see headrests for sale because there's no one to buy them. | hm ... Reynolds has made a LWB model, the "Nomad", but I don't think | there are many of them and very unlikely to have been that 20"/700C bike. | (He also makes a front wheel drive bike that sounds like a killer, but | also extremely rare so far, unfortunately.) The more popular Wishbones | and T-bones are SWB. | | The T-Bone's SWB?? Couldn't tell from the pics! On bicycleman.com, | anyway...where's the T-Bone on the website? I don't know about bicycleman.com, but the link in your preceding post was to Reynolds' site, which has dozens of pictures of T-bones and Wishbones. http://www.reynoldsweldlabs.com/ , you've seen it. SWB means the front axle is behind the crank. | That new Z-Bone, though...looks interesting! What's the point to | front-wheel drive? The site says it's an improvement somehow. The drive wheel is closer to the cranks, both in distance and topology. That means less chain, no corners in the chain path, no need to design around a chain path that runs the length of the bike, and a simpler, stronger frame holding the cranks and wheel apart (so it's bound to be more rigid.) Lots of bikes have a rear shock, but it seems to me that would be easier to design when you don't need a rigid frame from one end to the other. He could be on to something. Definitely a "try before you buy", but could be a significant step forward for recumbents. You probably should aim a little lower though. Something like a Haluzak Horizon, for example, that will give you a feel for the ride without committing quite so much money on the basis of theoretical evaluation. Donn |
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#22
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Quoth "NYC XYZ" :
| Donn Cave wrote: | ... "Recumenbent" does mean "laying | down", though. | | Which should suggest comfort...that's the main point of these bikes, | after all...why don't everyone sell a headrest option I don't know.... You can try it. In general you don't see headrests for sale because there's no one to buy them. | hm ... Reynolds has made a LWB model, the "Nomad", but I don't think | there are many of them and very unlikely to have been that 20"/700C bike. | (He also makes a front wheel drive bike that sounds like a killer, but | also extremely rare so far, unfortunately.) The more popular Wishbones | and T-bones are SWB. | | The T-Bone's SWB?? Couldn't tell from the pics! On bicycleman.com, | anyway...where's the T-Bone on the website? I don't know about bicycleman.com, but the link in your preceding post was to Reynolds' site, which has dozens of pictures of T-bones and Wishbones. http://www.reynoldsweldlabs.com/ , you've seen it. SWB means the front axle is behind the crank. | That new Z-Bone, though...looks interesting! What's the point to | front-wheel drive? The site says it's an improvement somehow. The drive wheel is closer to the cranks, both in distance and topology. That means less chain, no corners in the chain path, no need to design around a chain path that runs the length of the bike, and a simpler, stronger frame holding the cranks and wheel apart (so it's bound to be more rigid.) Lots of bikes have a rear shock, but it seems to me that would be easier to design when you don't need a rigid frame from one end to the other. He could be on to something. Definitely a "try before you buy", but could be a significant step forward for recumbents. You probably should aim a little lower though. Something like a Haluzak Horizon, for example, that will give you a feel for the ride without committing quite so much money on the basis of theoretical evaluation. Donn |
#23
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On 07/18/2005 04:44:49 "NYC XYZ" wrote: Buck wrote: The weight is on the price list, 27lbs with fairly unexotic components. Could get the weight down more I expect. They distinguish between what appears to be a "no-frills" "sports weight" and a more likely quotidian "average weight" of 27 and 34 pounds, respectively. What's the point of all that aluminum if it weighs like some chromoly 'bent?? And why does the "SL" version have a disc brake for the front only??? The main frame tube is a large section and weighs a bit, typical weight will include lights and fenders. A chro-mo would weigh a lot more with all in. -- Buck I would rather be out on my Catrike http://www.catrike.co.uk |
#24
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"NYC XYZ" wrote in message oups.com... How much did you say you wanted to spend, again? Well, as less as possible. But I'm just curious if there's any such creature out there. Surely there must be a HUGE ('bent) market for all those features in one bike! Actually, no. Features always cost more, and recumbents don't have anywhere near the kind of sales volume that produces economies of scale. ActionBents, for instance, are quite affordable; but still in the $650-$850 range, even though they are direct-marketed in the US from an exclusive west-coast distributor (ie: No expensive distribution and dealership network to maintain.) Because it would be neither particularly fast nor particularly light, the bike you are asking for would retail for $5,000+, and would sell a handful of units annually. Suspension bikes are always heavier and slower than unsuspended models. Since recumbents aren't really offroad-friendly, there's not much point in a suspension. Just use thicker seat padding, or slightly fatter tires. Front shocks have received accolades from a select few; but are not commonly found on production bikes. Some 'bent builders would have no problem filling this order (with the possible exception of the weight), but since 'bents aren't a major component of the off-the-shelf offerings at most bike shops, I can see why you'd have trouble finding one ready-made. Yep. That's just the thing, though...I'm assuming that a lighter bike is an inherently good thing, and alum/ti/carb-fi is strong...the USS is a more "natural" position and seems to accord well with the physics of a 'bent (center of gravity issues and all that)...an adjustable seat with good lumbar support is also a no-brainer, as well as making that seat "double" with a built-in bag or pack behind it...disc brakes, for power...26" wheels for speed and height/vantage-point...SWB for manuverability...what's to argue with any of these criterion? You have a great concept here. I agree with your basic design philosophies as they relate to recumbents. You are right on the mark. I have wondered for years why carbon fiber is so scarce in the recumbent market. I think it has to do with profit margins: Recumbents are labor-intensive and built in small batches. There's not much profit in them. Your design concept would be a great product; but the materials would eat up profit margins. Shocks, carbon fiber, titanium are all far costlier than straight-gauge 7005 aluminum tubing, which may explain why oversized 7005 alloy boom tubes are fast becoming the standard on recumbents. Also note that recumbent manufacturers have switched to an "ergo" seat design in recent years (those who didn't already offer a lumbar support). USS vs OSS: In my opinion, USS is vastly superior; but it's more expensive to build and less "natural" for first-time 'bent riders - the majority of the market. ie: It doesn't sell as well. SWB vs all others: SWB can be very, um, "exciting" at high speeds. Some like that edgy feeling; but many do not. It doesn't surprise me that LWB and CLWB designs are popular. There is also that "chopper look," which suits more traditional riders who feel strange riding with the cranks sticking out into the air ahead of the front wheel. My suggestion: Draw up a prototype design, and shop it around to various manufacturers. Maybe one of them will see things your way. |
#25
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On 17 Jul 2005 06:58:52 -0700, "NYC XYZ" wrote:
db. wrote: I have a similar interest in what you're looking for and I"m leaning towards the Nazca Pioneer Looks good, but "door problemen met de server is onze website momenteel helaas niet te bereiken." It has rear suspension and suppose you could shock fork the front..for seat adjustment like what you are looking for there's the AZUB Extreme. Yeah, unfortunately that thing's like, what, around 40 lbs.???? Besides, not sure how to order one in the US...seems all their dealers are non-English-speaking. If their servers speak Dutch, it's a good bet 90%+ of their dealers are bilingual in Dutch and English. Jasper |
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