recumbant takes out cyclist on gadget show

[GrasB]

Why was he doing his so-named duck-run to get the 'bent started?

Because he'd never ridden a 'bent before & watched the cruzbike on teaching your self how to ride a 'bent? Also M racers are very twitchy when pulling away which make them a very bad bike to learn how to ride on. Bacchetta Carbon Aero would have been a better place to start

Is this normal for a 2-wheel high-racer or would you normally (as I'd always assumed) have one leg clipped in and one down ready to go?

Yeah, this is how it's normally done by anyone who has a modicum of sense.

Also, why were they racing on a kart track? I wouldn't have liked racing on that, too small and bends too tight. Typical biased reporting from TV, from what I can see anyway.

Cart tracks are perfect for crit-like races but require riders who have a decent bike handling skills. This is further emphasised on a 'bent as the way to go quick is pedal through the corners. Once you've got the handling skills you can fly through the corners back by backing off to about 200-250w through the corners & ramping up the power early... If chasing DF riders try the same trick they'll generally end up on the deck ... pedal strike's a b**tch

 

[PloddinPedro]

.............................. M racers are very twitchy when pulling away which make them a very bad bike to learn how to ride on. Bacchetta Carbon Aero would have been a better place to start ......................

That's interesting. Can you offer any insight as to why the M5 would be more tricky than the Bacchetta? Wheelbase or wheel size perhaps, or fork rake/trail? I've been browsing around lately, looking at 'bents and wondering if they may be worth a try and although there's masses of gen, I haven't yet found anything explaining which would be the best geometry for various purposes.

 

[GrasB]

That's interesting. Can you offer any insight as to why the M5 would be more tricky than the Bacchetta? Wheelbase or wheel size perhaps, or fork rake/trail?

A whole host of things. The Aero can be setup for a more upright body position which is easier for beginner to deal with. The handle bars are completely different. The centre of gravity is different....

I've been browsing around lately, looking at 'bents and wondering if they may be worth a try and although there's masses of gen, I haven't yet found anything explaining which would be the best geometry for various purposes.

The thing is with DFs the basic shape of all bikes are the same & biases of bike gemetry have been well established for many, many years. On 'bents there is so much difference between bikes even in the same 'class' it's really hard to work out what's good for what.

 

[PloddinPedro]

A whole host of things. The Aero can be setup for a more upright body position which is easier for beginner to deal with. The handle bars are completely different. The centre of gravity is different....

As yes, I see that now. Although they are fundamentally very similar, relatively small variations can add up to significant differences I guess, just like on a DF. Thanks.

 

[Recycle]

The only fair comparison to make between a DF and recumbent would be to take identical twins of the same fitness level and ability. Place them on each or the respective machines and race them (assuming they they had the same level of training and competence on their bikes). Even then there would be differences depending on how each of the twins felt on the race day.

I think I could beat an upright rider of the same age and ability as myself under most conditions, except perhaps steep uphills. Even on the steep uphills, I may give the upright a good run for his money if the respective bikes were the same weight (give me the carbon M5 Pleeez!). On the level the upright would have no chance at all.