Righty Ho! - So I'm a new recumbent rider and proud owner of a Pashley PDQ for just over a week now. I have previously commuted 28 miles round trip OCCASIONALLY (and I do mean occasionally) on a converted Mtb with electric assist kit and road tyres. The electric kit was/is great in that it takes out the hills and headwinds and I could average 16mph. I am not fit at all, about 4 1/2 stone over my ideal weight but I do like to push myself.
So today I commuted on the PDQ for the first time, this is also the longest un-electrically assisted ride I have ever done (twice). My journey in was about 1hr and 15mins (14 miles obviously) my way back was into a stiff headwind that had got up (IE there was no tailwind to speak of this morning) and was 1hr 35mins and my quads and glutemus maximus are now feeling it!
I'd like to commute regularly, starting with once or twice a week and building up- however I'm wondering whether I should give the electric kit up and commit to becoming faster or purchase a new hub motor with higher rpm to match the PDQ's 20" wheel size.
I know I will improve, my lungs give out before my legs at the moment- I also know the bike could benefit from a service as the front wheel bearing sounds ropey and the chain is pretty 'orrible!
I'm wondering if anyone has any words of encouragement of how much quicker they got or are most recumbent riders already fit upright riders who made the switch?
Also, how much difference will a bearing and chain service make? will it be noticable? - I've been too pre-occupied riding it to sort it out yet although something tells me I'll not be doing that tomorrow!
I'm very happy with the bike for leisure/excercise and I am aware there are much faster recumbents out there but until I have put some serious miles on this bike and sold at least one of my others there is no way I'm buying a different bike; I'm just trying to work out whether commuting in around an hour each way is a bit of a pipe dream or whether I just need some patience and persistance?
Now if I could just get my legs to carry me up and down stairs again.....
So today I commuted on the PDQ for the first time, this is also the longest un-electrically assisted ride I have ever done (twice). My journey in was about 1hr and 15mins (14 miles obviously) my way back was into a stiff headwind that had got up (IE there was no tailwind to speak of this morning) and was 1hr 35mins and my quads and glutemus maximus are now feeling it!
I'd like to commute regularly, starting with once or twice a week and building up- however I'm wondering whether I should give the electric kit up and commit to becoming faster or purchase a new hub motor with higher rpm to match the PDQ's 20" wheel size.
I know I will improve, my lungs give out before my legs at the moment- I also know the bike could benefit from a service as the front wheel bearing sounds ropey and the chain is pretty 'orrible!
I'm wondering if anyone has any words of encouragement of how much quicker they got or are most recumbent riders already fit upright riders who made the switch?
Also, how much difference will a bearing and chain service make? will it be noticable? - I've been too pre-occupied riding it to sort it out yet although something tells me I'll not be doing that tomorrow!
I'm very happy with the bike for leisure/excercise and I am aware there are much faster recumbents out there but until I have put some serious miles on this bike and sold at least one of my others there is no way I'm buying a different bike; I'm just trying to work out whether commuting in around an hour each way is a bit of a pipe dream or whether I just need some patience and persistance?
Now if I could just get my legs to carry me up and down stairs again.....