Ultimate Bike Thread....

[stevej37]

[QUOTE=Racerbvd;10976043]I started riding bmx in the 70s and never stopped.
This is a prototype, but I think it is




Hey...that's the same belt I use on my bike!

[stevej37]

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by stevej37

How does it ride??
Do you like it?
I have never ridden a belt bike.

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by Racerbvd

How does it ride??
Do you like it?
I have never ridden a belt bike.

I really like it.
No messy chain or sprocket. Except for tire to pavement noise, it's completely silent.
Ride up to a stop...just thumb the 8 speed gearshift down while stopped...no need to be moving while shifting. The disc brakes are great.
Bought it two years ago from your area...https://www.roadbikeoutlet.com/ $350

[sc_rufctr]

Chip has some nice bikes! (Thankfully most of them are original )

[Gus Berges]

I know this thread is about the bikes themselves, but I was wondering if some would like to chime in regarding bike racks... My twin boys just got new bikes (29" XC hardtails with modern bike geometry/slanted top tube) and we have no way to transport them safely.

I've seen the suction cup mounts and like them, but not 100% sure if they would be the best solution due to the fact that the front wheels need to be removed every time and then there is the issue of the racks and bikes not being secured to the vehicle (theft prevention). Their car has a panoramic (all glass) roof, so they have to be extra careful going into places due to the total overall height of the vehicle with the bikes mounted on the roof. The cost of them seems on par with the higher end hitch mounted racks, but at least I wouldn't have to "invest" on a hitch and if they change vehicles, they could use the suction cup type racks on any other vehicle.

Their car doesn't have a hitch, but $250 will take care of that "problem". I do like the 1Up bike racks, but their website is blocking me for unknown reason, so I can't price out what I need! I'd like to get a 4 bike carrier... Hitch mounts are easier to load and unload the bikes, better against theft (lockable), but not sure if anything else.

So, anyone care to share experiences and points of views regarding why X is better than Y regarding racks?

[LEAKYSEALS951]

top mounted racks and rear hitch racks both have their strengths. You just need to decide which works better in your situation.
Top mount- out of the way, don't need to worry about getting rear ended (bikewise)
cons- you have to reach up to mount them, wind noise, reduced gas mileage, need to remember not to drive under low awnings, hassle of removing front tire on some models. The panoramic sunroof thing scares me, particularly on front fork mounted models, where with the wheel off, the fork tabs could crack the glass, but in experience, I've had pedals hit the roof too if the bike falls over.

Rear hitch- easy to get too, easier on gas mileage. Invisible to gas mileage on rear of my wagon.
cons- easier to get bike rear ended/ not good for vintage irreplaceable bike. Also, rear hitch can hinder access to rear gate on station wagons/suvs.

I've used both, a lot, and am currently in a rear hitch phase for convenience, flexibility between bikes, and mpg reasons on my commuter car.

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by Gus Berges

I know this thread is about the bikes themselves, but I was wondering if some would like to chime in regarding bike racks... My twin boys just got new bikes (29" XC hardtails with modern bike geometry/slanted top tube) and we have no way to transport them safely.

I've seen the suction cup mounts and like them, but not 100% sure if they would be the best solution due to the fact that the front wheels need to be removed every time and then there is the issue of the racks and bikes not being secured to the vehicle (theft prevention). Their car has a panoramic (all glass) roof, so they have to be extra careful going into places due to the total overall height of the vehicle with the bikes mounted on the roof. The cost of them seems on par with the higher end hitch mounted racks, but at least I wouldn't have to "invest" on a hitch and if they change vehicles, they could use the suction cup type racks on any other vehicle.

Their car doesn't have a hitch, but $250 will take care of that "problem". I do like the 1Up bike racks, but their website is blocking me for unknown reason, so I can't price out what I need! I'd like to get a 4 bike carrier... Hitch mounts are easier to load and unload the bikes, better against theft (lockable), but not sure if anything else.

So, anyone care to share experiences and points of views regarding why X is better than Y regarding racks?

I have both, a roof rack for the 911s,



And a trailer hitch rack for the rest of my cars.

[Gus Berges]

Thanks.

Looks like, based strictly from a financial point of view, that my kids will end up with a roof mounted suction cup based bike carrier. Now the question is which brand for the two bike carrier: Seasucker is $490, Treefrog is $475, Rassine for $317, and Rockbros is $273. I know Seasucker is made in USA and the spare parts are available, but it is quite a premium price over the Rockbros (which has tons of positive reviews too). If I later decide that I want to join them on rides, then I could either throw my bike in the trunk or just get a 3 bike carrier now (±50% more money than the 2 bike carrier).

Not sure if others have problems in accessing the 1Up website or not, but I finally spoke to a representative and got pricing on their rack: a 2 bike carrier is $569 and each additional carrier would be $219 plus the $79 pole extension for additional carriers beyond the dual. I'd have to spend this plus $325 for the trailer hitch (which I have no need for except for bike carrying duties).

I must be getting Scroogelike the older I get because I find these costs to be quite high considering what I get in return. Oh well!

[Baz]

[vmb]

Last Thursday I sold this on my lunch break



and 2 hours later bought this:

[billybek]

The woman in this video had her own cleaning business that we had utilized until she had fallen ill.

Thought it was very cool that she wanted to get back on a bike again.

[Baz]

["A"]

Originally Posted by billybek

The woman in this video had her own cleaning business that we had utilized until she had fallen ill.

Thought it was very cool that she wanted to get back on a bike again.

Pre-COVID, I used to take legally blind, physically disabled or amputee patients out on bike rides with my semi-recumbent tandem.
Un-obstructed view of vision, large seating area, allow the riders to communicate without turning their heads.
It was the perfect vehicle to motivate those who cannot get around on their own easily, able to give them a sense of independence and freedom on 2-wheel.
But with COVID, I can no longer do it, according to hospital administration.

[porsche930dude]

I almost got nailed by a big fat squirrel today he fell outa a tree and slammed the pavement 10 feet in front of me. He wriggled up and stumbled away. Maybe need to start wearing a helmet we got kamikaze squirrels around here

[sc_rufctr]

I've been getting some parts together to build something like this. The frame I have is an Australian made "Paconi". (builder Kevin Wigum, Victoria Australia)

I'll start my own thread when it's complete.

[billybek]

Originally Posted by "A"

Pre-COVID, I used to take legally blind, physically disabled or amputee patients out on bike rides with my semi-recumbent tandem.
Un-obstructed view of vision, large seating area, allow the riders to communicate without turning their heads.
It was the perfect vehicle to motivate those who cannot get around on their own easily, able to give them a sense of independence and freedom on 2-wheel.
But with COVID, I can no longer do it, according to hospital administration.

Very cool of you to do that! Hopefully you can get back to offering rides again soon.
Looks like an interesting rig.

[abisel]

What are your thoughts of either purchasing a pre-made e-bike or converting your bike to electric?

Specialized https://www.specialized.com/us/en/electric-bikes, and others have pre-made e-bikes ready to go.

But I am thinking of converting my '97 Schwinn Moab Aluminum to an e-bike with the BAFANG BBSHD 1000watt.
https://www.bafangusadirect.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwxNT8BRD9ARIsAJ8S5xapzAUH8rZ5sPnZw8q fyqZZYq72LwH9KrlyIje9pWy0a39eLGBNv1gaAnhMEALw_wcB

Thoughts?

[fanaudical]

I know I've asked about other recumbent riders here before; not sure I've ever posted photos of my bikes. This is one I built ~2001 (including frame fabrication). Geometry is similar to a Lightning P-38. I used to be fast and commute frequently; too many bad close-calls a few years ago combined with increasing traffic where I leave have made me stop commuting to work. I need to start riding again...





I built this one specifically for commuting with vehicle traffic. Seat position is high enough I can look drivers of cars in the eye. Steering geometry is "quick" and front shock for back roads. Extended front derailleur tube and accessory bar to put the headlight up high to "spotlight" drivers if needed. It's fast on flats and downhill. Not too bad up hill (back when I was in shape and could spin under load). Wheel loading is set up so that it handles best with a couple panniers and some gear on the rack.

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by fanaudical

I know I've asked about other recumbent riders here before; not sure I've ever posted photos of my bikes. This is one I built ~2001 (including frame fabrication). Geometry is similar to a Lightning P-38. I used to be fast and commute frequently; too many bad close-calls a few years ago combined with increasing traffic where I leave have made me stop commuting to work. I need to start riding again...





I built this one specifically for commuting with vehicle traffic. Seat position is high enough I can look drivers of cars in the eye. Steering geometry is "quick" and front shock for back roads. Extended front derailleur tube and accessory bar to put the headlight up high to "spotlight" drivers if needed. It's fast on flats and downhill. Not too bad up hill (back when I was in shape and could spin under load). Wheel loading is set up so that it handles best with a couple panniers and some gear on the rack.

Interesting, I have a couple myself.