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General Category >> rbent Lobby >> Xstream experiment
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Message started by aikigreg on Oct 4^th, 2009, 2:56pm

Title: Xstream experiment
Post by aikigreg on Oct 4^th, 2009, 2:56pm

Give my ridiculously short t-rex arms, the regular x-stream setup puts a bit of a strain on my shoulders. Add to that my general distaste for twist shifters and it will likely be a bit of a problem for a 300k. So I happen to have an extra tweener bar lying around so I just let the other bar rest on the tiller taped down, and went "single speed" around the parking lot.

I may need to actually TRIM some of the bar a bit but the result was NICE. Technically it should be a bit more aero but the big factor may allow me to lower the tiller and recline the seat the last couple notches. That would be sweet for the long randonnees.

for those who haven't seen me, here is a photo of me on an upright. I've gained a little weight since then:

http://brushspoke.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/dinosaur_riding_bicycle1.jpg

Title: Re: Xstream experiment
Post by Bud_Bent on Oct 4^th, 2009, 6:19pm

I really liked the tweener bar setup that was on the TI prototype Xstream at the factory. That's what I was riding when Paul did the video of me making the short parking lot loop. Slow speed handling with that setup was very good.

So when you're riding Alexis' bike, you're the T-Rex on the V-Rex?

Title: Re: Xstream experiment
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Oct 4^th, 2009, 6:38pm

Here are various photos I have from the Ti Xstream riding from our Kansas trip, showing the handlebar.

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/ae256/pbrown8js/RT104.jpg

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/ae256/pbrown8js/RT105.jpg

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/ae256/pbrown8js/RT106.jpg

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/ae256/pbrown8js/RT115.jpg

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/ae256/pbrown8js/RT120.jpg

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/ae256/pbrown8js/RT137.jpg

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/ae256/pbrown8js/RT143.jpg

Title: Re: Xstream experiment
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Oct 4^th, 2009, 6:43pm

We're doing something like that on Chas's V3 -- we've ordered the HR3way adjustable tweener bars, to give him more knee clearance width, and an adjustable angle for the grips.

http://www.ransbikes.com/ITR63.htm

Title: Re: Xstream experiment
Post by aikigreg on Oct 4^th, 2009, 7:14pm

Ah yes, I had forgotten since my time on the ti was so short, what with the seat camp issues. Those bars seem to flare out a bit like the bars on the strada. Handling seemed excellent. Now I need some bar end shifters.

Title: Re: Xstream experiment
Post by MrOverdressed on Oct 5^th, 2009, 7:27pm

FlyingLaZBoy wrote:

Ive had a set of these adjustable Tweener bars sitting around my house for a couplke of moths waiting for me to install it. I pln on doing this during the December/January rebuild time!

Title: Re: Xstream experiment
Post by aikigreg on Oct 5^th, 2009, 7:33pm

Did some more digging around tonight. I can definitely cut the tiller and lower the height by probably two inches. Decreased tiller effect and greater visibility? Yes please!

Unfortunately I have no way to clamp the tiller, unless I remove it and clamp it in the bike stand perhaps. Paul, when you cut the tiller, how did you go about it? What did you use to lengthen the slot?

Title: Re: Xstream experiment
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Oct 5^th, 2009, 9:58pm

aikigreg wrote:

I removed the riser and used a tubing cutter to cut off an inch or so from the bottom of the riser, leaving about 1/2" below the cable stops -- and only left that because I needed to leave room for the rollers of the tubing cutter on the tube, which turned out to be a GOOD thing, because otherwise the ferrrules on the cables that go into the stops wouldn't have had room away from the riser clamp itself to fit. So don't cut it all the way up to the cablle stops... You'll need to sand or file the inside edge of the cut, because the opening will be slightly narrowed from the tubing cutter blade pressure.

I then wound up using a hacksaw to cut a new compression slot -- started by using a dremel tool, but a hacksaw worked better.

Title: Re: Xstream experiment
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Oct 5^th, 2009, 10:04pm

FlyingLaZBoy wrote:

We also got a B-31 riser that had 1" or so less extension back towards the rider... we installed both that riser and the HR3ways, and determined that we would have to cut on the HR3 a bit to optimize it -- which we anticipated anyway -- then we put the other B-39 handlebar back on, trying it with the new riser, and it seemed to make enough of a difference such that Chas only needs to cut about 1/2" off the handlebar ends and it'll be perfect.

SO -- if anyone is interested in a set of the HR3way bars, let me know...

Paul

Title: Re: Xstream experiment
Post by MrOverdressed on Oct 6^th, 2009, 5:20am

FlyingLaZBoy wrote:

[quote author=aikigreg link=1254686170/0#6 date=1254789215]. Paul, when you cut the tiller, how did you go about it? What did you use to lengthen the slot?

Title: Re: Xstream experiment
Post by MrOverdressed on Oct 6^th, 2009, 5:23am

FlyingLaZBoy wrote:

SO -- if anyone is interested in a set of the HR3way bars, let me know...

Paul

So he ended up not using his HR3way bars? To bad I allready have a set. I could put in stock for a future bike. :) How much does he want for it?

Title: Re: Xstream experiment
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Oct 6^th, 2009, 6:05pm

MrOverdressed wrote:

Thanks for the tips paul. I also plan on cutting a little tubing the top of my B-74. I hooe one of my neibors has a cutter. :)

Be sure you're doing what you need to do for the intended result, Terry... Cutting from the TOP of the B-74 riser won't do anything for you, since there is a "top load" piece that goes into it -- to lower the bars down, you need to cut the BOTTOM of the riser, as described above... and you need to be sure to add a new compression slot, for the clamp to work properly.

Measure twice, cut once, as they say... not vice versa...