I presently have a StreetMachine GT and am now looking at my next recumbent. Having done a few 100km/160km events on rolling roads I really would like to get a faster bent that goes better on the hills (this is a priority). The SMGT is a great machine for touring and can't be beaten for comfort but now i feel its time to move to something faster which can also tour. Am happy to give up a little on the comfort side as it would be hard to beat the SMGT in this department. I would be particularly interested in riders who have/are riding SWB bents made by European companies and their experiences. I do have the chance to rent out bents from local suppliers for a day but i don't believe that this gives one enough of a chance to truly evaluate a suitable replacement. So I would really appreciate honest appraisals from fellow bent riders esp ex-SMGT riders.
When I bought my SMGT, i was happy w/ everything about the bike except it's climbing ability. After some inquiries on arbr and bentrideronline, I learned that seat angle plays a significant role in hill climbing. The problem w/ the SMGT (and even more so on the SMGTE) is that the seat angle just isn't high enough for a good climbing position. My solution: I placed a 2 inch wooden spacer between the back of the seat and the mounting bracket. This installation required only slight modification and has made all the climbing difference in the world! I rode a very hilly tour from San Francisco to Los Angeles w/ 60 lbs of gear and was able to crank up the hills very nicely using this configuration.
"None" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
I presently have a StreetMachine GT and am now looking at my next
recumbent.
Quoted message said:
Having done a few 100km/160km events on rolling roads I really would like
to
Quoted message said:
get a faster bent that goes better on the hills (this is a priority). The SMGT is a great machine for touring and can't be beaten for comfort but
now
Quoted message said:
i feel its time to move to something faster which can also tour. Am happy
to
Quoted message said:
give up a little on the comfort side as it would be hard to beat the SMGT
in
Quoted message said:
this department. I would be particularly interested in riders who have/are riding SWB bents made by European companies and their experiences. I do have the chance to rent out bents from local suppliers for a day but
i
Quoted message said:
don't believe that this gives one enough of a chance to truly evaluate a suitable replacement. So I would really appreciate honest appraisals from fellow bent riders esp ex-SMGT riders.
Many thanks Gus
I tour on an Optima Baron, while it's not designed for that it works well, otherwise I don't think you can combine a good tourer with a good hill climber
