Dual Suspension Recumbent???
Discussion
My commute to work is fifteen miles mountain bikes are too slow, road/race bikes are too uncomfortable and hybrids send every grain of dust on the road through my spine. So I'm looking for a recumbent cycle. The problem is most of them have either rear suspension only or none at all. Suspension is a must because of the state of the roads I'll be using (and in general in this country)and a 26 Inch wheel would give me better choice of road, ATB or hybrid tyres depending on weather conditions (I'll be cycling to work even if we have as much snow this year).
I don't mind front or rear wheel drive. Any ideas?
I don't mind front or rear wheel drive. Any ideas?
http://www.hpvelotechnik.com/produkte/spirit/press...
Never ridden one though. A local bike shop had one and it piqued my curiosity as to whether it work off-road, particularly down steep stuff.
Never ridden one though. A local bike shop had one and it piqued my curiosity as to whether it work off-road, particularly down steep stuff.
Had a go on the the wheels are too small and it was like riding a shopper, also the front suspension is "cosmetic only".
I was thinking on the lines of this but dual-sus'.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sofrider-V2-2-Front-Wheel-Dr...
I was thinking on the lines of this but dual-sus'.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sofrider-V2-2-Front-Wheel-Dr...
I'd be looking at US, Ducth and German websites as they are popular in these countries.
I have a mountain bike tandem, and there is a dearth of info and specialists in this country. The above countries, however, have lots of specialists. Friends did some cycle touring over in Holland a few years back and came a across a couple riding a back to back recumbent tandem. The thing would cruise at 30mph quite happily apparently.
Sorry I can't be more help. Post up what you find though, I'd be interested to see what's out there.
I have a mountain bike tandem, and there is a dearth of info and specialists in this country. The above countries, however, have lots of specialists. Friends did some cycle touring over in Holland a few years back and came a across a couple riding a back to back recumbent tandem. The thing would cruise at 30mph quite happily apparently.
Sorry I can't be more help. Post up what you find though, I'd be interested to see what's out there.
Did you look at the bikes on the rest of the site - some have proper shortened suspension forks.
Eg http://www.hpvelotechnik.com/produkte/ghp/index_e....
Eg http://www.hpvelotechnik.com/produkte/ghp/index_e....
Edited by rhinochopig on Sunday 10th October 21:48
I've got one- http://thumbsnap.com/sc/Ql0AnXyS.jpg
(Albeit a DIY job :-)
I have no issue with 20" front wheel on the road or the smaller front shock, still worth avoiding big bumps if you don't want to get launched out of yourseat! Unlike a DF you can't stand to ride over bumps, so judge every bump, dip in advance as to whether it could be handled seated and dodge the worst ones ;-)
For a new bike you will be looking in the £2k bracket, your only "cheap" hope is ebay, 2nd hand they can go for as low as £500-700.
The link to HP you where given is a good start, very nice bikes.
Also take a look at-
http://bikefix.co.uk/index.php?unique=d4ac5177d7f3...
http://www.bentrideronline.com/
Some things to bear in mind-
1. You'll need time to adjust your road craft, after 20years of DF cycling my first rides with a 'bent on the road was Very scary! (you will need a mirror as well)
2. You'll need a good few hours off-road (carpark/trail) riding to get used to slow speed handling, stops and starts and hill climbing before risking your neck in the street.
3. Climbing- many people will say "bents can't climb" this is tosh, any bike can climb, its the rider that matters.... BUT- 'bents tend to be heavier and the "muscles skill" needed to climb is totally different to DF and you can't generally put any pull ontop the handlebars like a DF, the whole effort must come from spinning your legs- so good gearing and skill is a must.
I'd reccomend before going too far down this route to get a try-ride somewhere.
Recumbents rock, don't get me wrong but the are more different from DF than you'd imagine IMO.
WRT Offroad- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ekefr3xH3y8
(Albeit a DIY job :-)
I have no issue with 20" front wheel on the road or the smaller front shock, still worth avoiding big bumps if you don't want to get launched out of yourseat! Unlike a DF you can't stand to ride over bumps, so judge every bump, dip in advance as to whether it could be handled seated and dodge the worst ones ;-)
For a new bike you will be looking in the £2k bracket, your only "cheap" hope is ebay, 2nd hand they can go for as low as £500-700.
The link to HP you where given is a good start, very nice bikes.
Also take a look at-
http://bikefix.co.uk/index.php?unique=d4ac5177d7f3...
http://www.bentrideronline.com/
Some things to bear in mind-
1. You'll need time to adjust your road craft, after 20years of DF cycling my first rides with a 'bent on the road was Very scary! (you will need a mirror as well)
2. You'll need a good few hours off-road (carpark/trail) riding to get used to slow speed handling, stops and starts and hill climbing before risking your neck in the street.
3. Climbing- many people will say "bents can't climb" this is tosh, any bike can climb, its the rider that matters.... BUT- 'bents tend to be heavier and the "muscles skill" needed to climb is totally different to DF and you can't generally put any pull ontop the handlebars like a DF, the whole effort must come from spinning your legs- so good gearing and skill is a must.
I'd reccomend before going too far down this route to get a try-ride somewhere.
Recumbents rock, don't get me wrong but the are more different from DF than you'd imagine IMO.
WRT Offroad- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ekefr3xH3y8
Liquid Knight said:
I've been having fun with MS Paint. 
Copywrite me 10/10/2010.
Don't get too excited :-)Copywrite me 10/10/2010.
See- http://www.cruzbike.com/
Max_Torque said:
Not sure really, but for only 15 miles wouldnt you just be better blowing 2k on a "fast" mountian bike ??? (i.e quality light one with suitable wheels/tyres fitted??)
I had seven stollen in five years and the Police do very little about it. A £2000 car get stollen however they call for helicopter support.I like and have owned recumbents before so I'm used to them. Top advice for a beginer though.
The first design was over complicated and would be heavy. I prefer underseat steering as well but it would complicate things.
Using a second rear triangle from a scrap bike with the only fabrication being the front subframe (in orange) and a couple of brackets to hold the seat in place.
Should be do-able and the price of a second hand bike and a few bits.
Copywrite me 11/10/2010
http://www.cruzbike.com/drupal/content/Freeriderv2
A bit "American Chopper" but basically what I came up with. $995 plus $54 international postage (£664-ish).
Very not bad.
A bit "American Chopper" but basically what I came up with. $995 plus $54 international postage (£664-ish).
Very not bad.
Bugger!
http://www.cruzbike.com/drupal/content/conversion-...
I think when I'll be placing an order when the payday fairies come to visit.
http://www.cruzbike.com/drupal/content/conversion-...
I think when I'll be placing an order when the payday fairies come to visit.
Liquid Knight said:
I had seven stollen in five years
You must be a fruit cake. Just in case that joke makes no sense - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stollen
Stolen.
The HPVelo bikes are great, but very expensive if new. If anyone has one secondhand, Kevin at DTEK will (01353 648 177) - no connection other than I've had a go on several of his bikes - he'll do a demo day for you for a £25 fee - I tried about 18 bikes and trikes, very useful. I tried the HPV Scorpion trike, and it was very nice, but the ICE trike withe suspension was even nicer. Currently waiting to try an ICE B1.
There's not much below the 8"+ travel downhill bikes that will smooth out potholes entirely. Avoiding them as best you can, and using your arms/legs to absorb them if unavoidable, is about as much as you can do really - and you can't do the latter on a recumbent anyway.
I've tried a recumbent and it was a lot of fun, but I'd not want to get anywhere near busy traffic on one. Not high enough to see over traffic, hard to look over your shoulders, too easy to be invisible to other traffic when filtering. That and the huge weight penalty makes itself felt when you stop and pull away, plus you're not likely to be going fast enough for an aerodynamic advantage.
No nickability advantage either IMO. Recumbents are expensive things, thieves know that, they can (and do) get stolen.
I've tried a recumbent and it was a lot of fun, but I'd not want to get anywhere near busy traffic on one. Not high enough to see over traffic, hard to look over your shoulders, too easy to be invisible to other traffic when filtering. That and the huge weight penalty makes itself felt when you stop and pull away, plus you're not likely to be going fast enough for an aerodynamic advantage.
No nickability advantage either IMO. Recumbents are expensive things, thieves know that, they can (and do) get stolen.
rhinochopig said:
http://www.hpvelotechnik.com/produkte/spirit/press...
Never ridden one though. A local bike shop had one and it piqued my curiosity as to whether it work off-road, particularly down steep stuff.
I've tried a compact long wheelbase design - absolute hoot to ride, and superbly comfortable. However, I couldn't really exert myself. You can pick up CLWB bikes pretty cheap - I've seen a few go for less than £500. Velovision or British Human Power Club for sale forums are worth watching.Never ridden one though. A local bike shop had one and it piqued my curiosity as to whether it work off-road, particularly down steep stuff.
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