mickle
innit
- Location
- 53.933606, -1.076131
We're selling this bad boy:
And wot I rote for its listing:
Ostrad back-to-back recumbent tandem.
This is a rare bike indeed. We’re keen to find a good home for this thing - since it’s not something that fits easily into our cycling Promotion and Events work.
Tandems (whether conventional or recumbent) combine the efforts of two riders to great effect allowing a pair of riders to stick closely together even if they have wildly unequal abilities.
On a conventional tandem having two riders seated closely together places the rear rider (Stoker) closely within the aerodynamic shadow of the Captain to create a machine with the power of two but the frontal area of one. Tandems are consequently a ton faster than solo bikes. ‘Recumbent front’ tandems like the Hase Pino deliver a super comfortable recumbent seat for only the Stoker. If both riders want the benefit of a recumbent seating position then the machine which results is usually a bit of a beast. Recumbent tandems are by nature enormously long and cumbersome machines whose Stoker is placed so far behind the Captain that any aerodynamic advantage is lost and the two riders cannot easily communicate.
The neat answer to this conundrum is the ‘push-me-pull-you’ or ‘back-to back’ tandem. Communication is restored (if not eye contact). Aerodynamic efficiency (Cd) is maintained - and even enhanced. Thanks to its efficiency this is the format of choice amongst recumbent tandemists and in Human Powered Vehicle racing circles. An improved shape combines with a smaller frontal area to create the cycling equivalent of a bullet train. This thing can really move!
Travelling backwards is a strange experience initially, but it grows on you - and the ability to eyeball approaching motor vehicles is an added bonus. No need for mirrors when your tail-gunner is delivering live reports to the cockpit.
We’ve made some improvements since it’s been in our care. Replacing the original wobbly AMP forks with a high quality custom made tandem rated steel fork. It’s improved the steering precision no end. The new fork allowed the installation of a disc brake. So now it stops. Which is good.
A fast and comfortable mile eater this bike would work great as a touring tandem. The space under the seats is crying out to be converted to luggage space.
Or ... if you want to do the Coast to Coast, LEJO’G or JO’GLE, London to Brighton, you’ll be guaranteed to turn a few heads!
And wot I rote for its listing:
Ostrad back-to-back recumbent tandem.
This is a rare bike indeed. We’re keen to find a good home for this thing - since it’s not something that fits easily into our cycling Promotion and Events work.
Tandems (whether conventional or recumbent) combine the efforts of two riders to great effect allowing a pair of riders to stick closely together even if they have wildly unequal abilities.
On a conventional tandem having two riders seated closely together places the rear rider (Stoker) closely within the aerodynamic shadow of the Captain to create a machine with the power of two but the frontal area of one. Tandems are consequently a ton faster than solo bikes. ‘Recumbent front’ tandems like the Hase Pino deliver a super comfortable recumbent seat for only the Stoker. If both riders want the benefit of a recumbent seating position then the machine which results is usually a bit of a beast. Recumbent tandems are by nature enormously long and cumbersome machines whose Stoker is placed so far behind the Captain that any aerodynamic advantage is lost and the two riders cannot easily communicate.
The neat answer to this conundrum is the ‘push-me-pull-you’ or ‘back-to back’ tandem. Communication is restored (if not eye contact). Aerodynamic efficiency (Cd) is maintained - and even enhanced. Thanks to its efficiency this is the format of choice amongst recumbent tandemists and in Human Powered Vehicle racing circles. An improved shape combines with a smaller frontal area to create the cycling equivalent of a bullet train. This thing can really move!
Travelling backwards is a strange experience initially, but it grows on you - and the ability to eyeball approaching motor vehicles is an added bonus. No need for mirrors when your tail-gunner is delivering live reports to the cockpit.
We’ve made some improvements since it’s been in our care. Replacing the original wobbly AMP forks with a high quality custom made tandem rated steel fork. It’s improved the steering precision no end. The new fork allowed the installation of a disc brake. So now it stops. Which is good.
A fast and comfortable mile eater this bike would work great as a touring tandem. The space under the seats is crying out to be converted to luggage space.
Or ... if you want to do the Coast to Coast, LEJO’G or JO’GLE, London to Brighton, you’ll be guaranteed to turn a few heads!
