StuAff
Silencing his legs regularly
- Location
- Portsmouth
I think it's the massive reduction in aerodynamic drag that does it
Recumbent Itch
- Thread starter Sailorsi
- Start date
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StuAff
Silencing his legs regularly
- Location
- Portsmouth
Damn right. Though none of mine apply to this discussion (being upwrong) they are all of the above.
PaulM
Guru
- Location
- Portsmouth, UK
Saliorsi, I've sent you a message (started a conversation) re my Metabikes which I might consider selling. Paul
I'm not sure I agree, to be honest. My issue on longer rides has been that fast 'on-the-track' does not always convert to fast 'on-the-road'. For out and out speed, yes, a 700c rigid frame and/or low racer is the way to go*, but I'm finding prolonged on the road speed is a combination of confidence, comfort, vision, stability and predictability.
This might be rather good news for the OP, I feel. For example, yes, my encore (rigid 700c, extremely nice) is fast out of the gate. And were I a better rider, it'd still be fast 200 miles later. But as its rider I am limited by the lights I've put on her (battery powered), my attitude to her (she's far too pretty to get rained on), her rigidity (chipseal buzz fatigues me) and a general unfamiliarity (been a tough year to get out).
Compare this with my time on the 24" rear suspended Furai. The Furai is heavier, runs similarly skinny tyres at the same pressure (duranos), has a hub dynamo wired to front and rear, a large seatpack, etc. For a 200 mile ride, the lights will get me home at full beam, she's got proven reliability (well, now that we've got through a few cable tie related teething troubles
Now compare that with the classic 20/26 dual suspended Streetmachine. The SMGTe is heavier again (much heavier), runs wide tyres (marathons), has a hub dynamo, panniers, mudguards, etc. She's definitely not fast compared to the Furai, but she'll still keep up with most uprights (which considering how little I ride these days is proof that it is all about the bike). She gives me more miles than either of the others just because she's supremely robust.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that 'fast' needs the following:
- a bike you can trust.
- a bike you want to ride.
- a bike that is comfortable / practical enough to let you get the training miles in.
For me, that has meant the Furai is my real world fastest bike. Ground is nice and close, but high enough to feel visible. Gearing on a 24" wheel (triple on the front, 11-36 on the back) is low enough to climb anything I've thrown her at, and high enough to touch 50mph chasing @ianrauk into Devils Dyke. She was my commuter for years which meant the muscle memory was already there when @martint235 had an idea about riding to Wootton Bassett. Dual 24" meant I could head out for multi-day rides with a single spare tube, and the possibilities this opens up have given me plenty of opportunities to really test myself.
Am I faster on the encore? Yes. Might I become faster still when I finally get the time to take her out properly? Yes. Is the encore my fastest two wheeler? Yes. Is it the bike I'm fastest on? Not yet...
Oh, and regards tiller steering: I can't do it at all. Despite going through an SMGTe, Furai, Seiran, and a velomobile in 7 years, I'd not actually managed to control any overseat steered bike more than 2 pedal strokes until I acquired the Nazca Quetzal at the end of 2013. That only came with OSS, so rather forced my hand. I'm getting more accustomed to the feel now, and the encore represents my continued development in the field.
Every bike I've mentioned has disc brakes because, for me at least, how fast you can go is directly proportional to your confidence that you can stop.
Does that help at all?
* ok, so my actual fastest 'bent has dual 20" and a 26" at the back, but that is cheating.
Really useful info, many thanks.
Thanks for all of the advice guy's really appreciated and keep it coming. I will keep looking asking and testing until I find what I'm looking for! I can't wait to meet up with a few fellow recumbent riders when I get on the road. I'm sure whatever I end up with will make me smile and there is always the N+1 option.....( If only I had the funds to support it!)
cyberknight
As long as I breathe, I attack.
- Location
- Land of confusion
I thought this was a thread about rubbing shorts .
Andrew1971
Veteran
- Location
- Northallerton
It depends on where its rubbing
I'm not sure I agree, to be honest. My issue on longer rides has been that fast 'on-the-track' does not always convert to fast 'on-the-road'. For out and out speed, yes, a 700c rigid frame and/or low racer is the way to go*, but I'm finding prolonged on the road speed is a combination of confidence, comfort, vision, stability and predictability.
This might be rather good news for the OP, I feel. For example, yes, my encore (rigid 700c, extremely nice) is fast out of the gate. And were I a better rider, it'd still be fast 200 miles later. But as its rider I am limited by the lights I've put on her (battery powered), my attitude to her (she's far too pretty to get rained on), her rigidity (chipseal buzz fatigues me) and a general unfamiliarity (been a tough year to get out).
Compare this with my time on the 24" rear suspended Furai. The Furai is heavier, runs similarly skinny tyres at the same pressure (duranos), has a hub dynamo wired to front and rear, a large seatpack, etc. For a 200 mile ride, the lights will get me home at full beam, she's got proven reliability (well, now that we've got through a few cable tie related teething troubles
Now compare that with the classic 20/26 dual suspended Streetmachine. The SMGTe is heavier again (much heavier), runs wide tyres (marathons), has a hub dynamo, panniers, mudguards, etc. She's definitely not fast compared to the Furai, but she'll still keep up with most uprights (which considering how little I ride these days is proof that it is all about the bike). She gives me more miles than either of the others just because she's supremely robust.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that 'fast' needs the following:
- a bike you can trust.
- a bike you want to ride.
- a bike that is comfortable / practical enough to let you get the training miles in.
For me, that has meant the Furai is my real world fastest bike. Ground is nice and close, but high enough to feel visible. Gearing on a 24" wheel (triple on the front, 11-36 on the back) is low enough to climb anything I've thrown her at, and high enough to touch 50mph chasing @ianrauk into Devils Dyke. She was my commuter for years which meant the muscle memory was already there when @martint235 had an idea about riding to Wootton Bassett. Dual 24" meant I could head out for multi-day rides with a single spare tube, and the possibilities this opens up have given me plenty of opportunities to really test myself.
Am I faster on the encore? Yes. Might I become faster still when I finally get the time to take her out properly? Yes. Is the encore my fastest two wheeler? Yes. Is it the bike I'm fastest on? Not yet...
Oh, and regards tiller steering: I can't do it at all. Despite going through an SMGTe, Furai, Seiran, and a velomobile in 7 years, I'd not actually managed to control any overseat steered bike more than 2 pedal strokes until I acquired the Nazca Quetzal at the end of 2013. That only came with OSS, so rather forced my hand. I'm getting more accustomed to the feel now, and the encore represents my continued development in the field.
Every bike I've mentioned has disc brakes because, for me at least, how fast you can go is directly proportional to your confidence that you can stop.
Does that help at all?
* ok, so my actual fastest 'bent has dual 20" and a 26" at the back, but that is cheating.
You made some fantastic points which kind of back up my feeling that a do it all bike does not exist. If I went for an Encore would I put a dynamo hub, mud guards and luggage on her and ride it through the winter? Probably not. However for fast 5-8 hour day rides it would be fantastic. I need to decide if I'm initially looking for a slightly slower but capable commuter and overnighter or a fast fun weekend day ride bike. I guess I need two
Thanks for the info, I really enjoyed your book BTW - inspirational!
arallsopp
Post of The Year 2009 winner
- Location
- Bromley, Kent
Thanks
It's part of bike ownership's rich irony, I suppose. It is possible to get a "go anywhere, do everything" bike, but the associated costs and time required to curate such a steed mean there are places you won't take or ride it.
If I were restricted to a single bike (and I say that in the safety of this remaining purely hypothetical) I'd probably still go for the encore. I'd rack it up with panniers , pair it with 36 spoke 26" rubber, a wide range cassette and (this is allowed, right?) have a second wheel set on hand for the low spoke count aero 700 tight geared stuff.
Of course, best place to keep that spare 700c wheel set would be on another bike.. Maybe a Seiran. I mean, just to keep it out of the way, like... And to really make sure the panniers don't form a trip hazard when the encore is stripped down for racing, perhaps a Streetmachine too.. And... Well.. You can see where I'm going
It's part of bike ownership's rich irony, I suppose. It is possible to get a "go anywhere, do everything" bike, but the associated costs and time required to curate such a steed mean there are places you won't take or ride it.
If I were restricted to a single bike (and I say that in the safety of this remaining purely hypothetical) I'd probably still go for the encore. I'd rack it up with panniers , pair it with 36 spoke 26" rubber, a wide range cassette and (this is allowed, right?) have a second wheel set on hand for the low spoke count aero 700 tight geared stuff.
Of course, best place to keep that spare 700c wheel set would be on another bike.. Maybe a Seiran. I mean, just to keep it out of the way, like... And to really make sure the panniers don't form a trip hazard when the encore is stripped down for racing, perhaps a Streetmachine too.. And... Well.. You can see where I'm going
Thanks
It's part of bike ownership's rich irony, I suppose. It is possible to get a "go anywhere, do everything" bike, but the associated costs and time required to curate such a steed mean there are places you won't take or ride it.
If I were restricted to a single bike (and I say that in the safety of this remaining purely hypothetical) I'd probably still go for the encore. I'd rack it up with panniers , pair it with 36 spoke 26" rubber, a wide range cassette and (this is allowed, right?) have a second wheel set on hand for the low spoke count aero 700 tight geared stuff.
Of course, best place to keep that spare 700c wheel set would be on another bike.. Maybe a Seiran. I mean, just to keep it out of the way, like... And to really make sure the panniers don't form a trip hazard when the encore is stripped down for racing, perhaps a Streetmachine too.. And... Well.. You can see where I'm going
I guess what you are saying is that N+1 is the best option
I best get working some overtime! Thanks for your comments, they have been really helpful.One thing is for certain - Recumbent riders are a friendly and trusting bunch. In my search for the right bike I have been trusted by shops and people I have not met before to test ride their bikes and just as important to me, pass on their recumbent experiences. Last week I met up with a fellow rider for a short ride, chat about his bikes and experiences followed by cake and coffee, Last night I was invited by a complete stranger to chat about bents and have a go on his very fine Metabike and RANs Stratus. My faith in humanity restored. Thank you 
andytheflyer
Guru
- Location
- South Cheshire
I've been thinking about your hypothesis re: speed and overall time, but not come to a conclusion, but....got the answer today. Did the Lincolnshire Wolds Audax (on my Defy because I wasn't sure I'd get up some of the steeper bits on my Performer - need not have worried as it turns out). Went off the line with a guy on a newish 700c Performer SWB. Good job we'd finished chatting when waved off because never saw him again....... Within 10 minutes he was at least a mile ahead. He was fast! Asked if he'd been seen at the second control at 45 miles in, he was long, long gone. Pity as the seat height looked similar to mine which means I might be able to ride a 700c - I was keen to throw a leg over it at the finish, if you see what I mean.
