Newbie 2W/3W Bent Blog

[Falco Frank]

Back to the Past....

decided to try something a little different for tonight's outing, dug my old Onza, MTB spd's out (does anyone remember them?), no springs or mechanicals, just elastomer blocks for resistance. Worked quite well but they will ONLY release from my heel moving inwards, if I remember correctly, the cleat gets rotated 180 degrees to allow the opposite release. H2bike bottle now mounted behind the seat and is another 'marginal gain', mouth tube is now a good length and I can 'spit' the bite valve out and the assembly simply lands on my chest!

Really enjoyed tonights ride - thanks for the encouragement!

 

[andytheflyer]

Well done young man. KBO as Mr Churchill once said (Google it!)

 

[Falco Frank]

Sorry for the long gap my laid-back friends. Holidays etc.

Amazing how much 'fitness' can be lost is such a little time, two weeks motorbike riding and only a single ride out on Toxy since mean tonights ride was a bit tougher than expected - still - KBO

An unexpected tumble in the yard after putting on some MTB spds, set me back a little too, dented pride and all that tosh. The spds are actually really good, the plastic outer cage allows comfortable pushing when not fully clipped in so they will stay for the meantime.

A new cheap round backed helmet from Halfords also works nicely on the bike too. All my current lids are roadie type with an 'aero' style point or blade on the rear that just isnt comfortable on the headrest - the Halfords cheapy (£25!) is much better - but sadly, much poorer quality.

We got given some posh Salter scales the other day so first thing I did, obviously was to weigh my bike LOL. Missus was well impressed. With bottle cages, rack, rear lights and bag-o-tools still attached it came out much better that I thought at 19Kg.

The Mag wheels have really helped and to get much lighter might take some serious money...

Really enjoyed tonight but pushing on in fading light, even though I stopped to enjoy a nice sunset, resulted in another tumble, uphill, and totally unscathed thanks mainly to full fingered MTB gloves! All my own fault for not having enough time on the bike and hurrying too much.

Tally Ho...

KBO

 

[Falco Frank]

Its the small things that matter!

Tried a few small mods for my ride out this tea-time, lifted the seat at the rear, moved a chain tube clamp that I discovered was touching the top of the sus fork top at full lock and, not quite so small, changed the front Mag wheel (451 ultra skinny tyre) for the original 406 spoked wheel with wide tyre.

Steering was MUCH better and more stable and front end bob didnt seem as bad.

So much so that I stuck out a bit further than normal...

Hartlepool light house, interesting battery behind it too...

and Toxy in her small front glory, looks quite fetching I think.

Cheers - Frank

 

[Scoosh]

Piccies no showin' …

 

[Falco Frank]

Sorry about that - not sure why there was a problem.

 

[Andrew1971]

Just read all the page's Falco Frank cracking read well done any more update's

 

[Falco Frank]

Thanks Andrew,
No updates really, had a 5m tootle on my MTB today with brand new city jet (semi-slick) tyres today and was surprised how well I did, hip pain yes, from my gammy joint however, I can climb quicker than Toxy but decent speed is no-where near as fast.

I am toying with two mods. 1) Putting the mamoth big ring on (62?) from the original crank even if it will be a nightmare to set the front shifter up. I'm spinning out going downhill and high pedal cadence upsets the bike quite badly.

I'm not sure the second is viable. If I get the rear shock unit taken out and the rear welded up (with two struts maybe), I think it might be possible to shoe-horn a 700c wheel into the space. I have a bike friendly engineering firm very nearby!

Thoughts welcome! TTFN

 

[Falco Frank]

Does anyone remember Time Attack MTB pedals?

I used to love mine on my MTB, must be going back 10 years at least but, at the 'time' I laid out a fair wedge on the pedals and some NorthWave ankle boots that cost me too (neoprene liner and totally waterproof). Gave them a try on Toxy this afternoon and was quietly impressed, need some adjustment and only appear to release when my heel is moved inboard but LOADS of float for foot/ leg movement.

So, a quick spin as the weather was being so kind, even on the coast. VERY jealous of riders who live on the flat as I'm getting tired (in more than 1 way) of telling myself that riding constant hills is good training...

But, to end on a funny point. A police van did a U-turn and decided to escort me for a while which was amusing enough but after he pulled off I was then over taken by a van with a great banner on the rear - OVERSIZED SUPPORT VEHICLE!

I nearly fell off laughing.

Ciao

 

[Falco Frank]

Found myself looking at a spare motorbike fairing screen the other day, wondering if I should sell it and then kicked myself as I'm sure there is a way I could fit it to the front of the bike for a little foot protection / aero.

There again, sadly (for my tiny bank balance)....

I'm really starting to fancy a Trike!

 

[Andrew1971]

How about this one for a cheapie possibly !!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/kmx-recumbent-trike-/181917566419?hash=item2a5b21c5d3:g:mpkAAOSwYHxWM1Xc
Andrew

 

[Falco Frank]

Thank Andrew,

However, "I have a cunning plan".

 

[Smokin Joe]

Hi Frank, I've been following your blog with interest as I too am starting out on the recumbent adventure. Today is the first I've managed to get out - for a massive four miles - since getting it built a week and a half ago. I didn't go far as the wind is just so strong it's highly unpleasant, the run back into it I was nearly blown to a standstill a few times even sitting low down on the trike. It's certainly going to be a learning curve but I managed to cure the pedal steer after about a mile by simply learning to relax. I found the tendency at first was to try and ride it like a DF, using my whole body rather than just sitting back and turning the legs. I haven't ridden at all for about a month but the legs seemed to cope well enough. Nothing fell off anyway, the front limit screw needs a tweak because I couldn't get the big ring but it will be a while yet before I need that!

So far so good and bar end shifters on a trike must be the easiest of all gear systems to use, nice slick change with the thumb shifters always to hand without having to change position. The disc brakes are excellent and it's great being able to stop without unclipping. Not tried any hills yet!

 

[steveindenmark]

Found myself looking at a spare motorbike fairing screen the other day, wondering if I should sell it and then kicked myself as I'm sure there is a way I could fit it to the front of the bike for a little foot protection / aero.

There again, sadly (for my tiny bank balance)....

I'm really starting to fancy a Trike!

Just bear in mind Frank. Trikes are even shower.

 

[Falco Frank]

Cheers Guys - too late now @steveindenmark , Ive already said I'll take the trike!
A TW Bents, ticks most of the boxes for me and I can live with slower (for the meantime) as I cant risk an injury.

Gotta admit - I am looking forward to it!