dodgy said:
Another question (sorry), 'bents seem to have a very large chain (apart from the Mike Burrows FWD 'bents). They look like possibly 3 standard chains linked together? Given that chains need fairly regular changing, that seems like a significant maintenance cost?
Am I right?
Dave.
Not really as the wear is spread over the longer chain so you get proportionately more life our of a longer chain i.e. 4 x longer chain last 4 x longer. Cleaning and lubing a 4x longer chain is a real drag especially when you can't reach the pedals from (my) normal lubing position just in front of the sprockets. This is especially a problem on the Speedmachine because of the chain tubes which restrict access to the chain. It's less of a problem with the Windcheetah (no chain tubes so I can pick my spot) and also the offset rear wheel means that the chain gets hit with less crap and water than on a normal set up.
The chain tubes are altogether a mixed blessing - nice to keep your right inner calf grease-free but a problem when the chain's wet. Unless you dry and lube it thoroughly, rust is encouraged on the chain sections in the tubes which slow the drying of the water off the surfaces. I try not to ride the Speedmachine on wet roads which, in the Lake District, is a bit limiting
On the muscles question - the main thing is that 'bents require you to control your legs close to horizontally, compared to an upright where your legs basically hang down and the main control required is lateral i.e. so your knees describe a circle in the same plane as the bike - no knees wobbling out to the side and whatnot. This is not dissimilar to what we do when walking (although, obviously the balance/proprioception is different) so the muscles are reasonably used to it and the main development is of strength for propulsion (you can test this by cycling at low resistance, very high cadence - if you're not used to it you'll find that your muscles get tired but it's not the usual quads but little muscles around the knees which you notice which are being called upon to perform outside their normal capacity and tend to limit how long you can ride at cadence >120 rpm. It can be learnt if you need to e.g. using a fixie)
Anyway, on the bents, hip-flexors get more of a work out as your legs have to be lifted in an extended position which isn't usual unless you're a ballet dancer and the lateral control of the knee alignment is also while the leg is extended making more use of the stabilising muscles like sartorius, ad and abductors and so on.
You can prepare yourself with specific exercises to strengthen hip flexors, like standing straight leg lifts (combine with stretching as tight hip flexors can give lower back problems) and single leg squats for the knees (if you're really keen - single leg squats on a wobble board are the ultimate).
Have fun
