gmane.culture.transportation.humanpowered.general

Optima back-to-back tandem

Zach Kaplan — 2008-11-18T19:20:15

Does anyone know anything about the Optima two wheel drive B2B tandem that was ridden in the 2007 Paris-Brest-Paris? It looked to be of a lowracer configuration similar to the Baron but with each rider driving their own wheel. Was this a one-off or something Optima is going to be producing? How did it do on PBP? I'd really like to have a tandem like that. Most recumbent tandems don't have much if any aerodynamic advantage over a single recumbent. Back-to-back is the way to go for aerodynamics. Are there any B2B tandems currently in production? ------------------------------------------------------------- Zach Kaplan Cycles Alameda, Northern California, North America 510-522-BENT (2368) zakaplan< at >earthlink.net -- This message comes to you via the hpv< at >bikelist.org mailing list, sponsored by http://ihpva.org/ Visit http://bikelist.org/mailman/listinfo/hpv to manage your subscription.

Mr. Borst's Lightning F84 has been stolen. Please help. (2ndsend)

William D. Volk — 2008-11-14T05:34:31

All, Resending due to list issues. Tom Borst, who is recovering from a recent stroke, spotted me on my Bachetta today at the Carlsbad Post Office today. He informed me that a few weeks ago his Lightning F84 (Carbon Fiber bike) with aero bags and windscreen, has been stolen. It should have his name on a small brass plate. If you spot one one these and it looks like the rider doesn't belong on it, please contact Mr. Borst at 949 836 0051. Here is a pic of one of these bikes: http://www.lightningbikes.com/r84.htm Thank you, William Volk CEO, PlayScreen 858 692 1124 The Social Entertainment Company http://www.playscreen.com -- This message comes to you via the hpv< at >bikelist.org mailing list, sponsored by http://ihpva.org/ Visit http://bikelist.org/mailman/listinfo/hpv to manage your subscription.

ihpva

2008-11-06T07:25:53

Al Krause humboldt1.com> writes: snip Hello, i was working on an article on this subject for www.ligfiets.net a recumbent news site in europe. However, the article that is mentioned above is not totally true i think. As far as i know there are now record committees for most european countries in which there is an active movement and there were plans for more international cooperation. In recent years the exchange of magazines amongst several countries was started up so that hpv organizations could benefit from good articles in each others magazines. the IHPVA board and was rejected by several of the HPV organisations worldwide, Australia Belgium Denmark France Germany The Netherlands Sweden Switzerland I think the plans for a IHPVA results in yet another record organisation. The rights for the use of the name can perhaps be obtained by the people of the HPVA, but not the spirit of international cooperation. Jack -- This message comes to you via the hpv< at >bikelist.org mailing list, sponsored by http://ihpva.org/ Visit http://bikelist.org/mailman/listinfo/hpv to manage your subscription.

20" tyres for wet weather?

Alan Lawrence — 2008-11-02T18:17:23

Hi Folks, Had a nasty incident on my dual 20" SWB yesterday: we'd had an unseasonably cold week or two and I'd finally persuaded myself to get out for a ride, and found that dressed up decently and sheltering behind a hedge ;-) it wasn't nearly as bad as I'd thought. Always the way. So there I was, riding along quite happily, on decent tarmac, tho aware there was a crosswind blowing; and suddenly, with almost no warning (I'd been watching for gaps in the hedge, and there was no such - and the wind was blowing from the far side of the road) the wind completely blows the recumbent out from under me, and next thing I know I'm sliding along the ground at 20mph... Thankfully I seem to have escaped with (fairly) minor bruises/injuries only, there were no cars anywhere nearby. But I'm a bit bothered about how this happened - as I've had quite a few incidents of wheelspin, mostly on the back wheel (but I think sometimes the front too), which I've usually managed to ride out of (i.e. handbrake turn style); and I think this was exactly what happened here - I didn't feel any *lift* from the wind, just the bike being blown sideways, and the tyres not having enough grip). At the moment, I'm running Schwalbe Marathon Racer's in 20*1.6 (40-406), so I'm wondering what other tyres I can try that might offer more grip - specifically in the wet, but even on dry surfaces these don't seem particularly grippy. This is in the UK, so the Marathon Supreme, which is supposed to be good in the wet, isn't available (unless I order from the US - I may do if I find no alternative, but it comes out as rather more money than I really want to spend); the most obvious choices I can see are: Schwalbe Marathon (standard/non-Racer) Schwalbe Marathon Plus Continental Contact (these have a max. pressure of 56psi, which seems a bit low?) Continental City Contact Primo Comet (tho I've heard bad things about these in the wet, too!) Maxxis Hookworm Tioga Comp Pool (seems to have been highly rated in the past, not sure about more recently?) ....tho there are also a huge number of BMX options, some of which (those intended for "flatland" use, I think) may be appropriate for a recumbent, too. I'm probably looking for something of a similar width to what I've got (40-406), tho, rather than moving to a racing slick, as roads round here can be somewhat muddy, too... Thanks very much for any recommendations/advice. "Don't ride in strong winds" is fair enough, but I think it's only a matter of time before I have a crash just because of wet roads too, and "don't ride when it's wet" isn't really an option for transport...!! :_) --Alan -- This message comes to you via the hpv< at >bikelist.org mailing list, sponsored by http://ihpva.org/ Visit http://bikelist.org/mailman/listinfo/hpv to manage your subscription.

Real Lite

Dave Franzen — 2008-09-26T21:51:57

The Real Lite guy came through again and made good on his warranty. http://www.reallite.com/warranty.htm This is the second time I've returned the unit for repair and he fixes it and returns it for free. I think it is one of the best tail lights around. Regards, Dave Franzen Eugene, Oregon -- This message comes to you via the hpv< at >bikelist.org mailing list, sponsored by http://ihpva.org/ Visit http://bikelist.org/mailman/listinfo/hpv to manage your subscription.

A good idea

Greg Nuspel — 2008-09-26T10:08:09

http://www.project10tothe100.com/index.html Google is committing $10,000,000.00 to this. -- This message comes to you via the hpv< at >bikelist.org mailing list, sponsored by http://ihpva.org/ Visit http://bikelist.org/mailman/listinfo/hpv to manage your subscription.

Reminds me of Cyclovia in Bogota > Great Fun

JW Stephens — 2008-09-26T02:59:57

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-mexbike26-2008sep26,0,2756113.story "In Mexico City, bicycles rule the Sunday streets" Column One in the LA Times

Derailleur mods

Dave Franzen — 2008-09-25T00:51:06

I harvested this from a kinetic sculpture list. http://www.abundantadventures.com/mtfaq/frontderail/fr.derail.mods.html Dave Franzen Eugene, Oregon -- This message comes to you via the hpv< at >bikelist.org mailing list, sponsored by http://ihpva.org/ Visit http://bikelist.org/mailman/listinfo/hpv to manage your subscription.

You know you are a transportation cyclist ...

JW Stephens — 2008-09-23T21:13:27

... when over half the tools in your toolbox are "roadkill" (picked up off of the roadway). Elrey in Orange County, California

Velomobile Happening

Reg Rodaro — 2008-09-18T17:52:08

----- Original Message ----- From: Bob Beechy To: hpvbuilders< at >yahoogroups.ca Sent: Tuesday, September 16, 2008 6:18 PM Subject: [hpvbuilders] Link to Velo event Here is the link to this weekends event: http://www.hptabrant.ca/velo2008.htm -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To: hpvbuilders< at >yahoogroups.ca; hpta< at >rogers.com From: john_murray< at >sympatico.ca Date: Tue, 16 Sep 2008 10:04:44 -0400 Subject: [hpvbuilders] Velo event I was looking for details, time etc for this weekend Velo event... anyone have a link or details?? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- __._,_.___ Messages in this topic (6) Reply (via web post) | Start a new topic Messages | Files | Photos | Links | Database | Polls | Members | Calendar To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: hpvbuilders-unsubscribe< at >yahoogroups.ca To get to the webpage: http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/hpvbuilders Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required) Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch format to Traditional Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe Recent Activity a.. 6New Photos Visit Your Group Yahoo! 360 Canada Create your place. Share, Control, Keep up, with friends and family. Yahoo! Toolbar Canada Get it Free! easy 1-click access to your groups. Yahoo! Groups Canada Start a new group in 3 easy steps. Connect with others. . __,_._,___ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 270.6.21/1672 - Release Date: 15/09/2008 9:21 AM -- This message comes to you via the hpv< at >bikelist.org mailing list, sponsored by http://ihpva.org/ Visit http://bikelist.org/mailman/listinfo/hpv to manage your subscription.

FWD suspension

Duncan McDonald — 2008-09-12T22:54:00

Has anyone modified a headshok or built a similar fork to take a Rolhoff rear wheel? I am planning a moving bottom bracket FWD with suspension. ..Duncan -- This message comes to you via the hpv< at >bikelist.org mailing list, sponsored by http://ihpva.org/ Visit http://bikelist.org/mailman/listinfo/hpv to manage your subscription.

Hate SUV's? Blame Chickens!

William Volk — 2008-09-12T18:56:56

http://iphonegames.typepad.com/extremepreneur/2008/09/hate-suvs-blame-chickens.html William Volk william.volk< at >gmail.com -- This message comes to you via the hpv< at >bikelist.org mailing list, sponsored by http://ihpva.org/ Visit http://bikelist.org/mailman/listinfo/hpv to manage your subscription.

Show of hands, How many have been struck by a vehicle, not inside of a car?

John Clary — 2008-09-10T18:36:57

OK that's me and Tetz, any others? Incidentally I was hit a total of 3 times, twice in the same intersection as a pedestrian, and 2 of the three vehicles were totaled.

New HPB record?

JW Stephens — 2008-09-09T15:42:43

It looks like Greg Kolodziejzyk of Canada has bested kayaker Carter Johnson's 24 hour distance world record of 242 km this morning. http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pDb9rwFGq6A0J6oMUYQOyXQ Elrey in Orange County, California, USA

For bicyclists, a widening patchwork world

Dave Franzen — 2008-09-09T03:52:33

I submit this article and particularly the video for comment.\ The video shows a really cool bike parking facility. I have doubts about any city in the US ponying up for the expense of such a facility, but I like the concept. But the concept seems to me to stifle bike design. I can't imagine two wheeled recumbents fitting into this design (well maybe SWB's), never mind trikes. What say you? Dave Franzen Eugene, Oregon -- This message comes to you via the hpv< at >bikelist.org mailing list, sponsored by http://ihpva.org/ Visit http://bikelist.org/mailman/listinfo/hpv to manage your subscription.

Wanted: Velomobile for a day

Nick Hein — 2008-09-03T09:56:57

Good morning, West Virginia University is headquarters for the national Alternative Fuels Training Center (NAFTC) and they are planning a symposium to increase public awareness of alternative transportation modes. A friend of mine is organizing the event here in WV on Sept 27 and would like me to bring vehicles that represent the latest technology in human power, in addition to giving a talk. I was wondering if anyone in the Morgantown, WV area (Pittsburgh, DC, Buffalo, etc) has a velomobile they would like to bring for the event. I'll have display space to show it to attendees all day and will be giving a 15min talk during which it will be featured. My first choice would be an Alleweder Versatile, but all others are welcome. If it isn't too far I may be able to come get it. I'll take good care of it. Also, the event is open to the public and I'd invite anyone interested to attend as well. I may also have my electric car (Fiero) running by then and on display. Nick Hein Morgantown, WV -- This message comes to you via the hpv< at >bikelist.org mailing list, sponsored by http://ihpva.org/ Visit http://bikelist.org/mailman/listinfo/hpv to manage your subscription.

Cycle Helmet

Ed Logan — 2008-09-02T20:10:54

I always wear a helmet unless I am just tooling around the neighbor hood where everyone knows me. In addition to my flag I have a flashing light attached to the back of my helmet. Others tell me they can see way in the distance. I also notice that cars give me a wider berth when my light is flashing. While I have never fallen/ hit etc. where my helmet would have helped I am not taking any chances. Here in Florida there are just too many nut cases who like to run bikes off the road. Your head, your call. Ed Logan GRR, Kettwiesel and Vision Metro -- This message comes to you via the hpv< at >bikelist.org mailing list, sponsored by http://ihpva.org/ Visit http://bikelist.org/mailman/listinfo/hpv to manage your subscription.

Cycle helmet

2008-09-02T06:30:59

I've just become the proud owner of an HP Velotechnik 'Scorpion' recumbent trike. After years of wearing a cycling helmet on my various two-wheeled machines, do I need to wear one on the trike? Regards Nigel Healey -- This message comes to you via the hpv< at >bikelist.org mailing list, sponsored by http://ihpva.org/ Visit http://bikelist.org/mailman/listinfo/hpv to manage your subscription.

rotor cranks

Greg Kolodziejzyk — 2008-08-26T14:22:06

Has anyone experimented with elliptical chain rings? I recently got an elliptical chain ring custom made for my human powered boat Critical Power 2 and 24 hour distance record attempt coming up in a couple of weeks on Sept 8th. http://www.adventuresofgreg.com/HPB/2008/08/gps-distance-measuring.html Since there is less momentum on water than rolling on smooth pavement, I found that my legs were being stressed differently during the pedal stroke on the boat than on my M5 lowracer. On the boat there is more resistance all the way around the pedal stroke rather than concentrated at the power positions that I am used to on the road bike and recumbent. The solution was the elliptical chain ring which Matt Cochran at kittadyne http://www.kittadyne.com/ made for me. It concentrates more of the power at the usual power positions. The oval chain ring works very well to better simulate the kind of power distribution that I am trained for by riding the M5. More information about the record attempt and Critical Power 2 is here: http://www.adventuresofgreg.com/24hour.html If you are interested, you can follow my progress during the 24 hour record attempt at: http://www.adventuresofgreg.com/HPB/HPBmain.html Cheers, Greg Kolodziejzyk http://www.adventuresofgreg.com -- This message comes to you via the hpv< at >bikelist.org mailing list, sponsored by http://ihpva.org/ Visit http://bikelist.org/mailman/listinfo/hpv to manage your subscription.

Q rings

2008-08-25T20:02:36

I get clear and repeatable improvement in power on my recumbent exercycle when shifting between 50t round, and 50t BioPace rings. When I get up to a heart rate of 140 on the round, I can shift to the Bio and maintain the same speed and rpm at HR 135. Shift back to round and rate goes back up. At this power output, where my legs are just starting to burn, the burn will go away with the bio, and come back with the round. Feels A LOT smoother too. The difference between the major and minor axes is similar between Bios and Qs is similar, so I'd expect similar results. With the added advantage of being able to fine tune the orientation of the Qs. I've sold about a dozen sets of shortened cranks with Q-rings and have had nothing but good feedback about them. All but one have been with the MTB rings 24-34-44 or the new 23-33-44. With short cranks a 44/11 is enough gear for most people. Mark Stonich; BikeSmith Design & Fabrication Correct me if I am wrong Mark. Is it true that the smaller the Q Ring the less advantage the elliptical shape has? I also wanted to know if Q Rings would work for me. I do most of my pedaling in the middle ring so to keep the cost down I purchased just the 40t ring (on Ebay). Both my wife and I claim it is a smoother stroke. More efficient?? That is hard to measure. Since I spend most of my time in the middle ring I did not see a need to buy the others. There must be something to them as there are not many used ones on Ebay and if there are they sell fast and at good prices. You can also get new sets at a discount on Ebay. Or if you order on the phone and mention Bentrider On Line Forum you can get a discount. My problem now is two fold. One, my new GRR has Triple Road Cranks and the Q Rings on the old bike only fit a compact crank. Same with the wife's new GRR. Second, I would also like to try the Rotor Cranks but hesitate because I cannot not decide if I want shorter cranks. I need to try out some shorter cranks before I spend big bucks on Rotor Cranks. -- This message comes to you via the hpv< at >bikelist.org mailing list, sponsored by http://ihpva.org/ Visit http://bikelist.org/mailman/listinfo/hpv to manage your subscription.

Opinions on Rotor cranks and Q-rings?

Mike Librik — 2008-08-25T13:04:14

Has anyone out there experimented with these pricey items? I installed a set of Rotor cranks on a fellow's V-Rex some years back, but it didn't work out. One problem may have been that he was simultaneously experimenting with much shorter crank arms, so he didn't have a really direct comparison to what he had before. He did stick with the shorter cranks, but returned the Rotor system to the manufacturer. I've a customer who is considering either Rotor's $800 cranks or their elliptical chainrings. He isn't interested in more speed, but in more efficient power for easier climbing. I've looked into Rotor's Q-rings, but annoyingly it seems they only make these for the larger rings on the crankset, and serious help with climbing would argue for special treatment to the smallest ring. My customer has looked around for opinions online and seen some positive reviews, but one is never sure who to believe and just what the writer's credentials or affiliations are. I figured the HPV list would be a good source for unbiased views, especially from people like this guy, riding a recumbent and looking to go easier on his knees.