Show us your 'bent.

[betty swollocks]

 

[bottlemsher]

Here's mine

Ratracer SL Prototype

Molerat Racer

 

[betty swollocks]

I have a friend who's got the front wheel drive Ratracer: nice. The Molerat looks very impressive and is obviously an out-and-out racing/speed machine: love it!! Can only see two cables coming from the bars, one brake lever and one derailleur: could you please explain the braking and gearing?
No surprise that you come from Norwich........

Thanks for sharing.

 

[bottlemsher]

On the right side of the bar is 9speed S-ram grip shift

and on the left side is the brake lever which is for both the front and rear brakes

the braking is balance between both front and rear

When I'm racing the molerat I don't even notice the the off-set wheels or the braking
it's just a fun bike to play on

 

[3tyretrackterry]

http://i784.photobuc...plusmods023.jpg


http://i784.photobuc...plusmods016.jpg
Sorry dont know how to add pics to thread so gave links instead it is a trice Explorer approx 12 yrs old i have owned it for 3 bought from D Tek

 

[gb155]

Little off top here but how is it that they are regarded as so fast ?

 

[Rob3rt]

Little off top here but how is it that they are regarded as so fast ?

Aerodynamic, compare frontal area of yourself laid in a reclined chair to on your bike

 

[Arch]

Little off top here but how is it that they are regarded as so fast ?

Anyway, not all recumbents major on speed. Mine certainly doesn't, if I'm riding it. Some are built for touring, robustness, or simple comfort - like uprights, 'bents are all things to all people. A fit, 'bent conditioned rider on a light 'bent will probably beat a mirror of themselves on an upright, and a tourer would probably outride a mirror of themselves in terms of distance, thanks to the comfort.

But generally the aerodynamics help - if only when battling a headwind. Plus on three wheels, I'm way more stable and brave downhill than on two, so I'm not much slower uphill, but much faster down. So it's also a trike/bike issue.

I'll post a pic later when I'm on the home computer.

 

[gb155]

Thanks guys, its always puzzled me, though I sort of guessed at the Aero benefit

 

[Arch]

Thanks guys, its always puzzled me, though I sort of guessed at the Aero benefit

Ah, the slippery slope. Next you'll want to try one, just to see. Then, we have you....

Although I'm not a total 'bentist, I have uprights for day to day use and convenience. But if I had a garage at the flat, and a Brompton for train travel, I'd use my trike much more and maybe ditch the 'normal' uprights - currently it does leisure rides of any distance, because of the comfort aspect.

(Seriously, if you get a chance to try one, bike or trike, then do. If you're ever likely to be over East Anglia way, Kevin at Dtek does 'experience' sessions where you pay a small fee and get to try all sorts. Don't be put off if a two wheeler feels wobbly at first, it's just a case of re-jigging your balance a bit. A trike will just be easy.)

 

[mickle]

Your all 'bent.

 

[Fleur]

Challenge Furai SL2

Link to full size umage (12mpix): Furai SL2 VK2 tail full size

On this site several pictures: Furai SL2

 

[squeaker]

Current 'fast' bike....

 

[betty swollocks]

Challenge Furai SL2

Link to full size umage (12mpix): Furai SL2 VK2 tail full size

On this site several pictures: Furai SL2

Luvly: it looks brand new!

 

[Night Train]

This is me on my 'Ratrike'.

Ratrike with Arch's Catrike.

Ratrike's hardboard mudguards.

Ratrike's clothes rack telescopic flag and light pole.

Flag made from old cycling tabard.

Ratrike frame made up from two broken KMX frames and a bit of tube from a bunkbed leg.