Ian said:Buy a recumbent, comfort, high ish cruising speeds depending of course =
on
Quoted message said:fitness, you can pedal round corners, and at least 50years ahead of wed=
gies
Quoted message said:in technology.
Aside from aerodynamic fairings (where used) the technology is pretty=20 much the same. My recumbent
uses standard gears, standard wheels,=20 standard brakes, standard controls, standard suspension
units, standard=20 tubing fixed together with standard welding and it carries standard=20 panniers.
The seat isn't standard, but it doesn't employ any more=20 technology than a typical modern saddle.
So the technology isn't really any different, it's just the mindset that =
doesn't have the UCI's "this is how we define a a bike, and you shall=20 not do anything else"
dominating what gets *done* with the technology.
But as a recumbent rider who much prefers them just because of the=20 possibilities this mindset
affords, I'll recommend you at least consider =
one of the hotter sports models too. You can get just as much exercise=20 but do it in a comfy
chair instead of perched on a wee saddle on a pole=20 while leaning on your arms for a long spell.
Note that the "high=20 cruising speed" depends on the design as well as fitness, just as much=20
as an upright bike. Urban recumbents are slow, racing recumbents can=20 move like [censored] off a
teflon shovel.
There are definite downsides: first up, the market is small so things=20 start far more expensive.
You can get a nice upright racer for =A3500=20 while a hot 'bent will start at twice that. Because
really nice=20 uprights are a niche as well the price difference isn't maintained=20 though, so a
really amazing 'bent won't necessarily cost anything like=20 twice as much as a really amazing
upright. If you want to race, most races are closed to 'bents (they were banned=20 in the 1930s
after someone had the cheek to take the hour record on one=20 and upset the Powers That Be, the
UCI). And if you want to go out with=20 the local Chain Gangs you really need a bike that has the
same overall=20 characteristics as everyone else's, as you'll be doing co-operative=20 drafting and
riding as a bunch most of the time ('bents will usually be=20 slower up hills, faster down and
faster into the wind than an upright=20 racer with a similar standard of rider). You need to be an
exhibitionist: you will get noticed and talked about,=20 and though most of the buzz is +ve there
are some folk who'll laugh at=20 you. Avoid if you dislike standing out a *long* way from crowds.
If those downsides aren't a problem, might as well do your cycling in=20 more comfort rather than
less, and that means look at recumbents.
Final note is that even if you don't choose recumbent, "road bikes" are=20 not limited to UCI-style
racers. Things like the hotter Moultons,=20 Airnimals and Bike Fridays will be just as quick but do
things like come =
apart for transport and stowage, maybe have roadgoing suspension to=20 improve comfort and
efficiency over poor surfaces and so on. Again the=20 case that stepping outside the usual box puts
the base price up to=20 around a grand though.
Pete. --=20 Peter Clinch University of Dundee Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Medical Physics,
Ninewells Hospital Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net [email hidden]
dundee.ac.uk~pjclinchOpen ↗
