MTBking and cycling

[rokguy]

<EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Wow nice bikes/trikes Whitetrash,</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">I couldn't bring myself to sell that Catrike you had it looks like a great way to tour. and agree that you should always keep a bicycle /tricycle no matter what happens in your life.</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Guys,</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">I don't know who quoted the phrase.</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">"Its better to have no money and a bicycle than to have money and no bicycle"&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; but</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">I have this "Velocity wheels" sticker on my bikes.</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">As you know It can be alot more expensive to set up a bicycle than a van, especially when your going for lightweight gear.</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Geoff</SPAN></STRONG></EM>

 

[bobbert]

<p>

...<em><strong><span style="color: #888888;">Wow nice bikes/trikes Whitetrash,</span></strong></em><br><em><strong><span style="color: #888888;">I couldn't bring myself to sell that Catrike you had it looks like a great way to tour. and agree that you should always keep a bicycle /tricycle no matter what happens in your life.</span></strong></em><br>...<em><strong><span style="color: #888888;">I don't know who quoted the phrase.</span></strong></em><br><em><strong><span style="color: #888888;">"Its better to have no money and a bicycle than to have money and no bicycle"... &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</span></strong></em>

<br><br>Aww thanks Geoff...</p><p>I can live by ^ said ^ quote <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"></p><p>Actually, I pondered quite heavily over getting rid of the Catrike. I was concerned about the maintenance, and cost of parts throughout the course of time &amp; mileage...</p><p>Still, I often get out (in my spare time) and like to jump in someone's forest, &amp; set up camp, stealth-ly.</p><p>I figured that by getting the folding Bike Friday, it would enable me to stealth-camp even better than the Catrike.&nbsp;</p><p>But omg, man, the Trike was soooo comfortable. Totally unbelievable. It was so nice to go up a super-steep hill, at crawling speed (almost a stop), and have a ton of gear hauling. Absolutely NO arm/finger numbness &amp; shorts/pants riding in the crack.</p>

 

[AltTransBikes]

I'm not a 'bent guy but I have friends who are. One is a professor, engineer and very handy cat with machine tools. He and his wife have done extensive self-supported touring in Oz, Canada as well all over the western and inter-mountain US. <br><br>http://www.currin.us/touring/bike-tour.shtml<br><br>He's now built a power assists for their 'bents and very happy with the results. <br><br>http://www.currin.us/bikes/assist/assist.shtml<br><br><br><br>

 

[Seraphim]

Ever hear of the "triker's grin" ?

The only wa I'd get DW on one, though, is if it were a tandem; and I know who'd be doing all the work...

That's a unique looking SWB in the image you pasted, ATB. - cant place it. Did he do an extensive modification of something?

 

[Seraphim]

This is now what I carry for travelling: a hard case on the back and two folding wire racks on the sides carry groceries during food runs. I've made some other mods, but don't have a photo handy.

 

[Seraphim]

 

[bobbert]

<p>maaaan, with all these gr8 pics of you guy's 'bents, it's making me melancholy.</p><p>I totally regret letting go all of my 'bents&nbsp;<img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/frown.gif" class="bbc_img"><br><br>I can't wait 'til the weather breaks. I gotta git in shape 1st!</p>

 

[AltTransBikes]

"That's a unique looking SWB in the image you pasted, ATB. - cant place it. Did he do an extensive modification of something?"<br><br>Seraphim<br>He designs and builds these himself and there is more info on this at the links I posted if interested, you can navigate through the evolution of touring 'bents he's made.<br><br><br>

 

[Mouldy]

Ya, I love to ride. Little hard to get anything good where I'm currently at in Ohio. (of course I got spoiled by learning in the Sierras).<br>Glad to see some other gravity freaks here <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[offroad]

can someone share the cost investment in a recumbent bicycle? &nbsp;one you could buy and keep for 30 years? &nbsp;they look so expensive.&nbsp;

 

[bobbert]

<p>

can someone share the cost investment in a recumbent bicycle? &nbsp;one you could buy and keep for 30 years? &nbsp;they look so expensive.&nbsp;

<br><br>If you find the right ride, you would prolly only spend about $100 for pulleys (if the bike is equipped) needing replaced every 9,000 miles (from what I've read on the Bentrider online forum).</p><p>Chainwheels or cassettes, chains, shifter cables can wear appx. every 9,000 miles (when lubed often).</p><p>Bottom bracket, hub &amp; pedal Bearings would need the grease repacked every 10,000 miles.<br><br>Headset bearings would need repacked about 5,000 miles or more miles (or at least tightened, depending upon road bumps that you hit). From other rider's experience, I noticed that they frequently need this.</p><p><strong>But if the cyclist is savvy with tools</strong>, he/she should get some to remove the headset, shifter cables, and pedal bearings.</p><p>Expect about $30.00 for each item (mentioned above) to be packed w/ grease.</p><p><strong>Now here's the real kicker: FORCED&nbsp;OBSOLETE-ISM&nbsp;</strong><br>In the Western Marketing ways, cycle component companies are scheming ways to sucker ppl into having the newest/most fashionable toy on the block.<br>Having said that, finding parts from the eighties are getting a little&nbsp;challenging.</p><p>Expect more problems finding parts for recumbents in 30 yrs.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

 

[offroad]

not talking about keeping it running. am talking about buying one? &nbsp;how much do these cost? &nbsp;$2000? &nbsp;$3000?&nbsp;

 

[Seraphim]

<p>New?&nbsp; Figure $1700 to $2500 for a&nbsp;good two wheeler.&nbsp; <br><br>Used, in good condition, figure about $900 to $1000, bottom line, at a guess - which is where a basic entry level trike would start (new). Might find a good older one cheaper, if you look. &nbsp;Most trikes run about $1500 to $3000 new.&nbsp; These would be keepers, unlike the entry levels which are more approprite for 'old coots' lol.<br><br>A friend owns a shop and this is an example of a quality used bike, which would be good for all around use in most terrains - has a reputation as a good climber. He's asking $1400, but he'd probably go down a couple hundred.&nbsp; Dont tell him I said that lol.<br><br><a href="http://fairfieldcyclery.com/home/gallery12.php" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://fairfieldcyclery.com/home/gallery12.php</a><br><br>Also, theres a website for bent riders - huge membership.<br><br><a href="http://www.bentrideronline.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.bentrideronline.com/</a><br><br>Answers any questions you may have.</p>

 

[bobbert]

Here's what I did...
I went to a local/nearby bikeshop that a previous year model. They taught me how to ride it, and I got a 30% discount for a brand new Bachetta @ $1,200.
In my opinion, I think that their bents can't be beat, for the price.
Their frames are high quality, and componetry are gr8!

 

[Seraphim]

Bachettas are good bikes. I prefer RANS, though. The owner designs and builds aircraft - the main product of RANS. When he got into 'bents, he decided to design and build his own. He's good, and very conscientious about customer service; and its a US company IN the US.

 

[Seraphim]

"Expect more problems finding parts for recumbents in 30 yrs. "<br><br>Don't know about that.&nbsp; The&nbsp;bent industry&nbsp;rapidly growing. The owner of Fairfield Cyclery (above) is considering getting out of wedgies completely, and dealing only with bents. He is a major Catrike and Terra Trike distributor - and he keeps all models and variants in stock (of those two manufacturers).&nbsp; He also has a great crew for design and upgrades. One of the nation's top 'bent writers and critics&nbsp;also works there seasonally as a retirement job.&nbsp; (No, I get no commision for advertising lol).&nbsp; Just making a point that there is a large population of people who don't like wedgies but adore bents - and that niche is expanding rapidly.<br><br>Most parts, other than frame, etc, are standard bike components.<br><br>As the demand grows, so do parts inventories.

 

[c_hasbeen]

these are the bikes me and the wife like to ride, but we like the utilitarian approach to things.<br><br>orange one is hers, the black one is mine, the big tired one is for snow or sand

 

[Lostinspace]

Does the term "wedgies" refer to your rear end condition after riding a few miles? <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[Seraphim]

Lol oftentimes, yes.

Neat bikes C. Utilitarian is good.

I have never seen tires that big...

 

[rokguy]

<EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Nice pictures everyone,</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">First time out for my newly rebuilt Super V1000 today&nbsp;managed to get&nbsp;some urban MTBking in</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Geoff</SPAN></STRONG></EM>