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General Category >> Ride Reports >> Potential convert test riding
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Message started by FlyingLaZBoy on Aug 27^th, 2009, 11:17am

Title: Potential convert test riding
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Aug 27^th, 2009, 11:17am

Another of my GDB riding buddies, Chuck, approached me wanting to talk about recumbents, basically saying that he was tired of having sore back problems... He had tried my SXP for about 30 seconds once, about 6 months ago... So I met him up at PCF yesterday afternoon to do some test riding, with the help of Greg up there. Knowing that he already likes to ride, typically doing either the airport ride or the distance builder, I knew that an entry-level model wasn't going to be right, and he had already expressed tentative interest in a hiracer SWB, primarily for the potential ability to put it into his PTCruiser.

We talked about the various models they have on the floor, and about how one goes about fitting to a bike (seat position, recline, etc.), before heading out to the parking lot for some riding. Greg first had him try a Sun Sport LWB, due to it's upright seating and low pedal position, having him start at the "high end" of the parking lot to let gravity assist his initial rolling a bit. He was pretty wobbly, but in a couple minutes was tooling around the lot reasonably well, soon making turns without stopping. He then crossed the street, doing some riding in the larger hotel parking lot for a while, getting a feel for it. He was mostly doing casual cruising, making looping turns -- but I also had him push it up to 15-20 for a short stretch. (I was riding alongside on another bike)

Then Greg brought out a Cafe, with its somewhat higher pedal position, but still upright seating. This bike has "tweener" bars, so we talked a little about knee interference and heelstrike, and how to extend your inside leg on a turn. There were the expected wobbles and tentative starts due to the higher pedal position and handlebar confine, and failed first attempts at turning, but again, he took to it reasonably quickly. After riding this one for a while, he was somewhat used to the handlebar configuration, but he had already determined that he didn't like the 20" front wheel concept, favoring the thought of a 26" front.

[At this point, Nelson shows up, just stopping by after work on his commuter bike... too funny! ]

Greg next brought out a Corsa, with its seat set up at as high of an angle the pins would allow (which puts you at maybe 45 degrees). Now THIS took a while... When starting up, he would sit forward, but then have trouble getting his other foot from the ground up to the pedal, overbalancing too quickly. We suggested that he remain sitting up for the initial pushoff, but then immediate recline back, to make it a little easier to get his leg up -- which eventually worked. I laughingly told him that this is the greatest challenge of a hiracer (or almost any 'bent) rider -- getting started!!! [smiley=runover.gif]

After tooling around the PCF lot a bit, we went across the street to the larger lot again, where he did all the same maneuvers. By this time, his balance concerns (except for starting) were pretty much gone, and he was moving the bike around farily nimbly. At one point, a breeze started blowing from the east, which gave us a little headwind, so I commented on how riding into it probably felt different than on a DF, which he agreed with.

We went back, and saw Nelson rolling around the lot on the Xstream... So we tried that one next, riding it briefly, but the handlebar setup was not right, and we were running short on time. However, he could feel the overall smoothness of the ride quality on it.

At this point, I had to depart, so I left him in Greg's hands for further discussions. I don't know what Chuck will decide, but I'm pretty sure he's going to get either a Strada, F5, or Corsa, or perhaps an Xstream, but I think he's still leaning (no pun intended) towards a SWB, again, for transport purposes. However, he's about 20 pounds over the given weight limit for the Corsa at the moment.... and that's without gear. But he already realizes that any balance issues or concerns about stability and adaptation are only temporary, so I look forward to seeing what he chooses. He enjoyed the evaluation of the different model bikes, and the discussions we had.

Thanks to Greg for spending a couple hours with us!

Title: Re: Potential convert test riding
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Aug 27^th, 2009, 3:42pm

Anyone know of someone with an F5 around here?

Title: Re: Potential convert test riding
Post by aikigreg on Aug 27^th, 2009, 4:05pm

city cyclist has one and a good selection of rans besides, but that's all the way down by me.

Title: Re: Potential convert test riding
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Aug 27^th, 2009, 5:39pm

aikigreg wrote:

city cyclist has one and a good selection of rans besides, but that's all the way down by me.

Good to know, thanks!

Title: Re: Potential convert test riding
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Aug 31^st, 2009, 8:46pm

Chuck tried to go over to City Cyclist last Friday, but got in a massive traffic jam on 183, and turned around... So he came over to the house tonight, and we spent a couple hours riding around the neighborhood, on both the StratusXP and the Xstream (I've borrowed it back from Rose for a little while)... It gave him the time to understand more about the differences between the bikes, and think about what he's really looking for. He could see the greater versatility of the Stratus, and the somewhat easier pedaling aspect of the lower BB, not needing to use clipless...

At the end of the evening, we agreed that he should take my StratusXP home with him and ride it for a couple weeks, while I spend time on the Xstream proto prepping for TTTT -- so we put my bike rack on his car, loaded up the XP, and away he/they went (sniff...)!

Title: Re: Potential convert test riding
Post by Kwijybow on Aug 31^st, 2009, 9:25pm

You are a good friend sir! picture a smile saluting here! for Rose too!

Title: Re: Potential convert test riding
Post by aikigreg on Aug 31^st, 2009, 10:17pm

I think city cyclist also has a v3 too. Unless they've sold it.

Title: Re: Potential convert test riding
Post by johnnybent on Sep 1^st, 2009, 6:57am

After my sad encounter with the used easy, I decided to go over to city cycle. Most of you speak highy of them and I wasnt disapointed. Paul, tell chuck they have a f5 there. Anyway I thougth I was just going to kick tires, but they insisted I ride. I was not fond of the high racer style but after riding the f5 and the v-rex I found them to be just as easy as a low BB bike.

Title: Re: Potential convert test riding
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Sep 1^st, 2009, 8:51am

johnnybent wrote:

After my sad encounter with the used easy, I decided to go over to city cycle. .... Anyway I thought I was just going to kick tires, but they insisted I ride.

John, you can't go all the way over to FtWorth just to KICK TIRES.... :D

I'm thinking that I'm going to strongly recommend a steel V3 with a slingmesh seat to Chuck -- it's nicely in between the SXP and the hiracer/Xstream regarding relative pedaling height and recline/balance. And it'll still fit into a PTCruiser!

Title: Re: Potential convert test riding
Post by aikigreg on Sep 1^st, 2009, 9:46am

johnnybent wrote:

So which one did you buy, man?!?!?!?

Title: Re: Potential convert test riding
Post by Kwijybow on Sep 1^st, 2009, 9:48am

The steel V3 has caught my eye a couple of times as well! So many bikes so little money -- darn!

Take Care,
Nelson.

Title: Re: Potential convert test riding
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Sep 1^st, 2009, 10:43am

Nope, the V3 is no longer on the floor.....

Title: Re: Potential convert test riding
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Sep 9^th, 2009, 10:25pm

Conversion ~~complete~~ Phase II implemented -- Chas ordered an Aluminum V3 from PCF this afternoon!!! [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Title: Re: Potential convert test riding
Post by kingjason on Sep 10^th, 2009, 10:39pm

LOL I just noticed this thread. Is this the test pilot rolling around on my V3. If so good deal I am glad he likes it. I have been under and in my new project (83 Jeep J10 4x4)and havent even noticed it gone. I think I have too many hobbies. sighhh Wait I am confused. Chuck or Chas? LOL

Title: Re: Potential convert test riding
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Sep 11^th, 2009, 8:59am

kingjason wrote:

Yes, one and the same... we truly appreciate the loaner!!! He was actually going to try clipping in last night, unless the scattered storminess got in the way.... I'll get the bike back to you after this weekend!

Title: Re: Potential convert test riding
Post by BiknChas on Sep 11^th, 2009, 1:57pm

Let me express my appreciation to Paul for his sage advice, work and patience while I stumbled through the maze of bents.
Also, to Jason for the loan of his V3; I ordered a V3 AL from PCF (couldn’t have done that without the loaner);
and a shout out to Greg at PCF who allowed me to ride a bunch of bents and watched me without laughing (at least not while I could see him).

Thanks to all of the above I believe I picked the right bent for me.
I see many happy bent miles in my future.

btw: Chas and Chuck are one and the same. As a family tradition we don't write the name Chuck.

Title: Re: Potential convert test riding
Post by aikigreg on Sep 11^th, 2009, 4:09pm

Don't worry, Chas. If you're like me you'll only go through another 10 or 12 in the next 5 years anyway :)

Welcome to the fold.

Title: Re: Potential convert test riding
Post by kingjason on Sep 11^th, 2009, 4:52pm

Outstanding. Yeah I noticed the rain. I left the PD on my Vrod and as soon as I hit the main street the bottom fell out. Had to re oil my gun this morning. I havent been that wet since my moto x days. LOL

Title: Re: Potential convert test riding
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Sep 11^th, 2009, 7:51pm

Chas came over tonight and we rode around this area for a while, trying SPDs for the first time. We set the spring tension WAY loose, and it basically worked just fine -- he had three or four "panic unbalancing" moments along the way, but was able to unclip and catch himself just fine every time. Did some fast crusing above 20 for a bit, THEN, we got caught in the rain, two minutes after we decided to head back to the house.... [smiley=vrolijk_1.gif]

So we got pretty well soaked during the last ten minutes, but navigated the wet streets just fine without slipping and sliding. So now he's pretty confident with clipless!!

About the only hazard left to test is an unexpected dog attack.... [smiley=rolleyes.gif]

Title: Re: Potential convert test riding
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Sep 18^th, 2009, 9:57am

So, Chas's V3 comes in and he picks it up on Tuesday... and there's been nothing but rain ever since... Arrghhhhhhhhh.... :-X

Title: Re: Potential convert test riding
Post by johnnybent on Sep 18^th, 2009, 11:46am

Serious bummer. Chas, will this be your main ride for the DB's?

Title: Re: Potential convert test riding
Post by BiknChas on Sep 18^th, 2009, 10:22pm

Saturday 08:00AM GDB's Distance Builder (45-50 miles) will be the maiden voyage on my new V3 and I’m going clipless; wish me luck.
It took me 15 minutes to put it in my PT Cruiser.