Recumbent bicycles · Public discussion

New Custom MWB Recumbent

Mark Stonich · 2004-03-08T23:16:18+00:00

http://bikesmithdesign.com/Paul/PaulAndBike.jpg The goal was a bike with the seat and BB heights of a Giro, but lighter and without pedal steer or heel strike. And with optimized steering ergonomics and without chain idlers. The rearward CoG eliminates the typical SWB quick response on the roll axis, often called twitchyness. Less weight on the smaller of the tires should yield lower total rolling resistance than an SWB. WB = 55" Head angle 65 deg, Trail 0.5", Tiller 7", Weight distribution 1/3F - 2/3R BB ht. 25.5" Seat Ht. 22.5" (to compressed foam) 155mm Cranks. 559 x 42 rear, 406 x 37 front Unlike an SWB, the rider's heels overlap the front wheel so close to the steering axis that heel/fender interference isn't an issue. After a test ride the new owner is one very happy fella. He took off down my street and turned around to come back when all of a sudden he started grinning like a fool. He'd suddenly realized that after 50 yards on a new bike, he'd felt confident enough to make a U turn on a narrow, dirty street, without unclipping his SPDs. "I wouldn't have done that on my own bike." After a bit more riding, including getting it up to speed and diving into some turns, he said "I never realized any bike could feel so confidence inspiring." AFAIK It's the first 'bent that's been designed *completely* according to http://bikesmithdesign.com/Design/12Steps.html What makes this bike handle even better than those I've built for myself is that while my last two have the steering ergonomics dialed in, I couldn't optimize weight distribution with the low BB without making them longer. But one was a light monotube, so more WB would have been too flexy, and the other has to fit in a confined parking space. Of course I'm biased, but I think it's the best handling bike I've ever been on. Rock solid from sub-walking speeds to bombing down the steepest hill in S. Mpls. More Pix http://bikesmithdesign.com/Paul/Right.jpg http://bikesmithdesign.com/Paul/RightRear.jpg http://bikesmithdesign.com/Paul/Bars.jpg http://bikesmithdesign.com/Paul/SeatMount.jpg http://bikesmithdesign.com/Paul/Left.jpg The frame was designed by me and built by Terry Osell and me, for a guy we ride with. The rear frame configuration is dictated by the need for a seat height that works for a 5' 7" rider, but wanting as high a BB as we could get without the chain hitting the seat or needing power robbing chain idlers. The new rear configuration gives a ride that is nicely compliant in the vertical plane, but without chain tension induced pogoing. Even with fenders, the heavy Rans seat, and Terry's humongous fillets, it weighs 28 lbs. The final handlebar riser will be less adjustable, but save about a half pound. Mark Stonich; BikeSmith Design & Fabrication LLC http://bikesmithdesign.com

Started by Mark Stonich · 8 March 2004 · Last activity 12 March 2004 · 5 posts · 3,538 views

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Original section: Recumbent bicycles
Published: 8 March 2004
Last activity: 12 March 2004
Original author: Mark Stonich
Posts: 5
Discussion status: Public discussion
Total views: 3,538
Views / 30 days: 0
Topics: Frame geometry Velomobiles

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Original post
Mark Stonich
Archived post

8 March 2004, 23:16 UTC #1

bikesmithdesign.comPaulAndBike.jpg
The goal was a bike with the seat and BB heights of a Giro,
but lighter and without pedal steer or heel strike. And with
optimized steering ergonomics and without chain idlers. The
rearward CoG eliminates the typical SWB quick response on
the roll axis, often called twitchyness. Less weight on the
smaller of the tires should yield lower total rolling
resistance than an SWB.
WB = 55" Head angle 65 deg, Trail 0.5", Tiller 7", Weight
distribution 1/3F - 2/3R BB ht. 25.5" Seat Ht. 22.5" (to
compressed foam) 155mm Cranks. 559 x 42 rear, 406 x 37 front
Unlike an SWB, the rider's heels overlap the front wheel so
close to the steering axis that heel/fender interference
isn't an issue.
After a test ride the new owner is one very happy fella.
He took off down my street and turned around to come back
when all of a sudden he started grinning like a fool. He'd
suddenly realized that after 50 yards on a new bike, he'd
felt confident enough to make a U turn on a narrow, dirty
street, without unclipping his SPDs. "I wouldn't have done
that on my own bike." After a bit more riding, including
getting it up to speed and diving into some turns, he said
"I never realized any bike could feel so confidence
inspiring."
AFAIK It's the first 'bent that's been designed *completely*
according to bikesmithdesign.com12Steps.html
What makes this bike handle even better than those I've
built for myself is that while my last two have the steering
ergonomics dialed in, I couldn't optimize weight
distribution with the low BB without making them longer. But
one was a light monotube, so more WB would have been too
flexy, and the other has to fit in a confined parking space.
Of course I'm biased, but I think it's the best handling
bike I've ever been on. Rock solid from sub-walking speeds
to bombing down the steepest hill in S. Mpls. More Pix
bikesmithdesign.comRight.jpg
bikesmithdesign.comRightRear.jpg
bikesmithdesign.comBars.jpg
bikesmithdesign.comSeatMount.jpg
bikesmithdesign.comLeft.jpg
The frame was designed by me and built by Terry Osell and
me, for a guy we ride with. The rear frame configuration is
dictated by the need for a seat height that works for a 5'
7" rider, but wanting as high a BB as we could get without
the chain hitting the seat or needing power robbing chain
idlers. The new rear configuration gives a ride that is
nicely compliant in the vertical plane, but without chain
tension induced pogoing.
Even with fenders, the heavy Rans seat, and Terry's
humongous fillets, it weighs 28 lbs. The final handlebar
riser will be less adjustable, but save about a half pound.
Mark Stonich; BikeSmith Design & Fabrication LLC
bikesmithdesign.combikesmithdesign.com

Report
Steve Watkin
Archived post

9 March 2004, 21:15 UTC #2

Similar to my Bevo bike!!!
SW
"Mark Stonich" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
bikesmithdesign.comPaulAndBike.jpg
The goal was a bike with the seat and BB heights of a
Giro, but lighter and without pedal steer or heel strike.
And with optimized steering ergonomics and without chain
idlers. The rearward CoG eliminates the typical SWB quick
response on the roll axis, often called twitchyness. Less
weight on the smaller of the tires should yield lower
total rolling resistance than an SWB.
WB = 55" Head angle 65 deg, Trail 0.5", Tiller 7", Weight
distribution 1/3F - 2/3R BB ht. 25.5" Seat Ht. 22.5" (to
compressed foam) 155mm Cranks. 559 x 42 rear, 406 x 37
front Unlike an SWB, the rider's heels overlap the front
wheel so close to the steering axis that heel/fender
interference isn't an issue.
After a test ride the new owner is one very happy fella.
He took off down my street and turned around to come back
when all of a sudden he started grinning like a fool. He'd
suddenly realized that after 50 yards on a new bike, he'd
felt confident enough to make a U turn on a narrow, dirty
street, without unclipping his SPDs. "I wouldn't have done
that on my own bike." After a bit more riding, including
getting it up to speed and diving into some turns, he said
"I never realized any bike could feel so confidence
inspiring."
AFAIK It's the first 'bent that's been designed
*completely* according to
bikesmithdesign.com12Steps.html
What makes this bike handle even better than those I've
built for myself is that while my last two have the
steering ergonomics dialed in, I couldn't optimize
weight distribution with the low BB without making them
longer. But one was a light monotube, so more WB would
have been too flexy, and the other has to fit in a
confined parking space.
Of course I'm biased, but I think it's the best handling
bike I've ever been on. Rock solid from sub-walking speeds
to bombing down the steepest hill in S. Mpls. More Pix
bikesmithdesign.comRight.jpg
bikesmithdesign.comRightRear.jpg
bikesmithdesign.comBars.jpg
bikesmithdesign.comSeatMount.jpg
bikesmithdesign.comLeft.jpg
The frame was designed by me and built by Terry Osell and
me, for a guy we ride with. The rear frame configuration
is dictated by the need for a seat height that works for a
5' 7" rider, but wanting as high a BB as we could get
without the chain hitting the seat or needing power
robbing chain idlers. The new rear configuration gives a
ride that is nicely compliant in the vertical plane, but
without chain tension induced pogoing.
Even with fenders, the heavy Rans seat, and Terry's
humongous fillets, it weighs 28 lbs. The final
handlebar riser will be less adjustable, but save about
a half pound.
Mark Stonich; BikeSmith Design & Fabrication LLC
bikesmithdesign.combikesmithdesign.com

Report
Bentbiker
Archived post

9 March 2004, 23:31 UTC #3

I knew I had seem something similar, just couldn't place
where. any links for the Bevo bikes?
Steve Watkin said:
Similar to my Bevo bike!!!
SW
"Mark Stonich" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
bikesmithdesign.comPaulAndBike.jpg
The goal was a bike with the seat and BB heights of a
Giro, but lighter and without pedal steer or heel strike.
And with optimized steering ergonomics and without chain
idlers. The rearward CoG eliminates the typical SWB quick
response on the roll axis, often called twitchyness. Less
weight on the smaller of the tires should yield lower
total rolling resistance than an SWB.
WB = 55" Head angle 65 deg, Trail 0.5", Tiller 7", Weight
distribution 1/3F - 2/3R BB ht. 25.5" Seat Ht. 22.5" (to
compressed foam) 155mm Cranks. 559 x 42 rear, 406 x 37
front Unlike an SWB, the rider's heels overlap the front
wheel so close to the steering axis that heel/fender
interference isn't an issue.
After a test ride the new owner is one very happy fella.
He took off down my street and turned around to come back
when all of a sudden he started grinning like a fool. He'd
suddenly realized that after 50 yards on a new bike, he'd
felt confident enough to make a U turn on a narrow, dirty
street, without unclipping his SPDs. "I wouldn't have done
that on my own bike." After a bit more riding, including
getting it up to speed and diving into some turns, he said
"I never realized any bike could feel so confidence
inspiring."
AFAIK It's the first 'bent that's been designed
*completely* according to
bikesmithdesign.com12Steps.html
What makes this bike handle even better than those I've
built for myself is that while my last two have the
steering ergonomics dialed in, I couldn't optimize
weight distribution with the low BB without making them
longer. But one was a light monotube, so more WB would
have been too flexy, and the other has to fit in a
confined parking space.
Of course I'm biased, but I think it's the best handling
bike I've ever been on. Rock solid from sub-walking speeds
to bombing down the steepest hill in S. Mpls. More Pix
bikesmithdesign.comRight.jpg
bikesmithdesign.comRightRear.jpg
bikesmithdesign.comBars.jpg
bikesmithdesign.comSeatMount.jpg
bikesmithdesign.comLeft.jpg
The frame was designed by me and built by Terry Osell and
me, for a guy we ride with. The rear frame configuration
is dictated by the need for a seat height that works for a
5' 7" rider, but wanting as high a BB as we could get
without the chain hitting the seat or needing power
robbing chain idlers. The new rear configuration gives a
ride that is nicely compliant in the vertical plane, but
without chain tension induced pogoing.
Even with fenders, the heavy Rans seat, and Terry's
humongous fillets, it weighs 28 lbs. The final
handlebar riser will be less adjustable, but save about
a half pound.
Mark Stonich; BikeSmith Design & Fabrication LLC
bikesmithdesign.combikesmithdesign.com

Report
Mark Stonich
Archived post

11 March 2004, 17:18 UTC #4

bentbiker <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...
Quoted message said:
I knew I had seem something similar, just couldn't place
where. any links for the Bevo bikes?
spezialrad-shop.debevo kauf.html
Quoted message said:
Steve Watkin said:
Similar to my Bevo bike!!!
Other than the BB above the front wheel, which isn't
uncommon in Europe, there far more differences than
similarities between them.
Don't want to sound like I'm diss'ing the Bevo though. If I
ever do an FWD, I'll steal liberally from their front end
design. Especially the offset fork legs.
I've never heard from a Bevo owner. Anything you
particularly like or dislike about yours?

Report
Warren Berger
Archived post

12 March 2004, 00:16 UTC #5

Mark,
Quoted message said:
Other than the BB above the front wheel, which isn't
uncommon in Europe,
Do you have a copy of the Second International Human Powered
Vehicle Scientific Symposium-1984?
The IHPVA used to sell them, don't know if they still have
any.
German engineering professor, Paul Schondorf, did an
"Analysis of Supine Recumbent Bicycles". He built the
Muscooter series of SWB, MWB, LWB, bikes and trikes. His
finally designs "fur rekordfahrten" are exactly like your
MWB bikes.
If you can find a copy, it is well worth the price.
Warren

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