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Pre-WW2 Czechoslovakia (I think) 'Bents (and other things)
I like the small wheel 'bents (in the first 58 seconds of the video).
Also note that there is a bike very much like what became the "standard" SWB 'bent configuration in the US in the 1990's. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdlpJqHxLxk. -- Tom Sherman - 42.435731,-83.985007 I am a vehicular cyclist. |
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Pre-WW2 Czechoslovakia (I think) 'Bents (and other things)
"Tom Sherman °_°" wrote in message
... I like the small wheel 'bents (in the first 58 seconds of the video). Also note that there is a bike very much like what became the "standard" SWB 'bent configuration in the US in the 1990's. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdlpJqHxLxk. Those small wheel recumbents have wheels that are too small. You will feel every crack in the road with such wheels. However, note that the tires were fat. That is to absorb road shock, but what does it do for road friction? The RANS Tailwind was a superior recumbent design with 20" wheels. It is too bad every one has fixed on larger size wheels. A small wheel will get you around town just as well as a large wheel. The video is interesting because it shows there is more than one way to design and propel a bicycle. However, the world has settled on the safety bicycle, an upright, for good reasons. The only thing wrong with the upright is that it is not comfortable for long periods of time. Hence, the recumbent bicycle. Regards, Ed Dolan the Great - Minnesota aka Saint Edward the Great - Order of the Perpetual Sorrows - Minnesota |
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Pre-WW2 Czechoslovakia (I think) 'Bents (and other things)
On 10/17/2010 11:38 AM, Edward Dolan wrote:
"Tom Sherman wrote in message ... I like the small wheel 'bents (in the first 58 seconds of the video). Also note that there is a bike very much like what became the "standard" SWB 'bent configuration in the US in the 1990's. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdlpJqHxLxk. Those small wheel recumbents have wheels that are too small. You will feel every crack in the road with such wheels. However, note that the tires were fat. That is to absorb road shock, but what does it do for road friction? For a given inflation pressure (and similar tire construction), a wider tire will have LESS rolling resistance than a narrower tire, since the casing deforms less at the contact patch. The RANS Tailwind was a superior recumbent design with 20" wheels. It is too bad every one has fixed on larger size wheels. A small wheel will get you around town just as well as a large wheel. The only significant problem with the RANS Tailwind/Wave is that it was not suitable for taller riders. The video is interesting because it shows there is more than one way to design and propel a bicycle. However, the world has settled on the safety bicycle, an upright, for good reasons. The only thing wrong with the upright is that it is not comfortable for long periods of time. Hence, the recumbent bicycle. About 20 minutes or less at a time on an upright is fine for comfort. Most commuting trips in places like Western Europe are that time or less. -- Tom Sherman - 42.435731,-83.985007 I am a vehicular cyclist. |
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Pre-WW2 Czechoslovakia (I think) 'Bents (and other things)
"Tom Sherman °_°" wrote in message
... On 10/17/2010 11:38 AM, Edward Dolan wrote: "Tom Sherman wrote in message ... I like the small wheel 'bents (in the first 58 seconds of the video). Also note that there is a bike very much like what became the "standard" SWB 'bent configuration in the US in the 1990's. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdlpJqHxLxk. Those small wheel recumbents have wheels that are too small. You will feel every crack in the road with such wheels. However, note that the tires were fat. That is to absorb road shock, but what does it do for road friction? For a given inflation pressure (and similar tire construction), a wider tire will have LESS rolling resistance than a narrower tire, since the casing deforms less at the contact patch. Even so, does not a large wheel ride smoother than a small wheel? Also, do you not get a flywheel effect from a larger wheel? The RANS Tailwind was a superior recumbent design with 20" wheels. It is too bad every one has fixed on larger size wheels. A small wheel will get you around town just as well as a large wheel. The only significant problem with the RANS Tailwind/Wave is that it was not suitable for taller riders. I have an early version that does barely fit my 6 foot height. The video is interesting because it shows there is more than one way to design and propel a bicycle. However, the world has settled on the safety bicycle, an upright, for good reasons. The only thing wrong with the upright is that it is not comfortable for long periods of time. Hence, the recumbent bicycle. About 20 minutes or less at a time on an upright is fine for comfort. Most commuting trips in places like Western Europe are that time or less. Yes, I think you have got the timing exactly right. Regards, Ed Dolan the Great - Minnesota aka Saint Edward the Great - Order of the Perpetual Sorrows - Minnesota |
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Pre-WW2 Czechoslovakia (I think) 'Bents (and other things)
On 10/17/2010 2:24 PM, Edward Dolan wrote:
"Tom Sherman wrote in message ... On 10/17/2010 11:38 AM, Edward Dolan wrote: "Tom Sherman wrote in message ... I like the small wheel 'bents (in the first 58 seconds of the video). Also note that there is a bike very much like what became the "standard" SWB 'bent configuration in the US in the 1990's. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdlpJqHxLxk. Those small wheel recumbents have wheels that are too small. You will feel every crack in the road with such wheels. However, note that the tires were fat. That is to absorb road shock, but what does it do for road friction? For a given inflation pressure (and similar tire construction), a wider tire will have LESS rolling resistance than a narrower tire, since the casing deforms less at the contact patch. Even so, does not a large wheel ride smoother than a small wheel? All else being equal, which it is not with the small wheel using a wider tire at a lower pressure (since the skinny large tire needs to be inflated quite hard to reduce pinch flats). Also, do you not get a flywheel effect from a larger wheel? [...] Rotating inertia of a bicycle wheel is practically insignificant compared to that of the whole bicycle and rider. Try this experiment: Put the bicycle in a work stand or upside down, and spin the rear wheel up very fast with the cranks. Wearing a HEAVY leather glove, grab the wheel by the tire (being careful not to put your fingers in the spokes) and see how easy it is to stop the wheel. Alternatively, use the brake to stop the wheel, and see how fast it stops. Now compare the stopping distance and time if you were riding at an equivalent speed on a flat surface. -- Tom Sherman - 42.435731,-83.985007 I am a vehicular cyclist. |
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