So, the front boom on my Challenge Taifun, how much do I need to leave
inside the main frame tube?
I want to extend the reach outwards, perhaps a couple of inches or
more, but I'm not happy about how much will be left to support the
boom and pedaling forces. Examining the boom itself I can find no
minimum insertion mark, which rather surprised me, I expected one for
sure. Any Challenge owners reading, should there be one?
I'm 6' 1" and I can't believe that's the maximum the bike can cope
with, yet even with my (not especially long) legs I could definitely
do with more extension.
I bought the bike second hand and didn't get a manual with it, but
then perhaps one doesn't exist because there's no download available
from the Challenge website.
I suppose it's possible the previous owner cut the boom down, to save
a little weight, but it doesn't look like he did. Besides, he didn't
ride the bike very much and I doubt he tinkered with that sort of
thing.
Perhaps I'm sitting too low in the seat, so my hips are too far
forward leaving me needing extra reach? Not sure about that, I'm just
thinking aloud. I do think I sit quite low, but then that's where the
seat seems to want my back and neck, but I'm not experienced with this
kind of bike so I could have that wrong The seat is apparently the
long model, for taller riders, but I don't have any way to confirm
that, it's just what I was told at time of purchase (no reason to
doubt this).
Sitting in the bike, I feel comfy and the seat cradles me well. I find
I do need to sit down a bit so the boney, errr, bone, at top of
spine/bottom of neck lays below the top of the seat frame. Am I too
low there, should that part of my spine be above the seat back?
Most grateful for your thoughts, opinions or idle speculation.
"Bob"
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