Best inspiration on recumbents so far. Are you willing to exchange emails for more detailed correspondence?Still wondering about "moveable bottom bracket"? Referencing adjustable pedal/leg length? So many questions. Thanks for this manifestation. Did you have prior fiber design/construction experience?Laidback4HU
Guessing that you probably built it to your measurements, is it adjustable in terms of your position with respect to the crank? Besides the video, have you posted the construction details? Thanks.
@tecnocato Sorry there is nothing available in either respect. Get a hiracer, biggest advantage of a recumbent is the comfy seat and the aerodynamics.
@TapioBlue I am guessing that a CruzBike Vendetta/Silvio is the closest commercially available bike with a Al frame that has the same format. I personally do not like a long single chain running to the back since I believe is an inefficient power transfer mechanism. Back in college, I built a rear wheel drive recumbent trike but with 2 shorter chains joined by a custom power transfer linkage that also allowed for additional gear ratios. The front chain required a chain tensioner.
@TapioBlue That is definetly the closest... visited their site. It says is a prototype but I am guessing they can make them as they advertized themselves as custom bike manufacturers. Thanks for the reply.
This is a brilliant design. Why did you go to the trouble to build and the video the process with no plans to either sell complete bikes or at least plans. I would pay good money for a complete set of plans and I am sure others would also.
As a layman I have long wondered what is the function of kevlar in carbon-kevlar construction like shown at 1:53. If carbon is brittle (stretches very little before breaking) and strong and kevlar is quite strong as well but stretches a lot more, isn't the carbon going to break before kevlar does anything? If all carbon fibers are longitudinal and all kevlar is placed transversely, you would get longitudal strength of carbon and I guess kevlar would give some resistance impact resistance.
@phyotyla My friend gave this carbon/kevlar sock to me so I used it. I wasn't ultimately concerned with weight but one would have to be quite incompetent to build heavier than steel . On a homebuild an extra layer or two doesn't hurt to compensate for build quality. Pultruded carbon tubes are typically several times stronger than possible with a homebuild.
Would you say that I was on the right track in my initial message?
I'm planning to build a carbon high racer and I've been checking what other people have done and I've have seen several individuals using kevlar along with carbon. At least one of them used aramid as a separate layer between carbon layers.
@phyotyla I am not an engineer but I would say you're right. I think a hiracer is a good choice, I convinced my riding buddy to build one. He is a welder so he will use steel for the first one. On my build my last layer was 2oz glass finishing cloth. This allows easier sanding without "cutting" into the structural carbon.
@cbulen I am using a 700 in the rear and 26" front (Hope hoops ). Much better tire chioce in that size. Head tube angle is 55 deg. Final weight of the bike was 26 lbs with pedals and riding accessories.(Just under 23 bare) The ventist seat pad is just over a pound. Wheelbase is 53.75" (1365mm)
On paved roads I have never spun the front wheel. Never tried my steepest climb in wet conditons. Our local wall is at least 8 to 10% grade. I did ride the steel prototype up a steep dirt road where I lost traction, it was starting to snow.
@ cbulen I never measured the weight distribution.
I've always had a fascination with moving bottom bracket FWD but geometry has to be right for a smooth and predictable ride. The video shows a good all round bike that doesn't affect the steering too much. Obviously a lot of work and congratulations on your build. Its something I would buy.
Is there anything you would change?
Just one other thing, what computer are you using?
@rickhark The computer is the Bontrager Node 2, it has temperature ,altitude and heartrate among other features. This style of bike takes a few hundred km's to get used to the handling and may always be a design with handling compromises. Don't think I would change a whole lot on it based on the riding I have done so far.
Best inspiration on recumbents so far. Are you willing to exchange emails for more detailed correspondence?Still wondering about "moveable bottom bracket"? Referencing adjustable pedal/leg length? So many questions. Thanks for this manifestation. Did you have prior fiber design/construction experience?Laidback4HU
2traylhearts 2 weeks ago
Is it possible to get full sized plans?
jr1crow 2 weeks ago
wrapping wood with carbon fiber....?!? why didn't you use hard wax..? you could have melted it out afterward.
Velotracer 1 month ago
Guessing that you probably built it to your measurements, is it adjustable in terms of your position with respect to the crank? Besides the video, have you posted the construction details? Thanks.
tecnocato 3 months ago
Any commercial plans or current offerings?
tecnocato 3 months ago
@tecnocato Sorry there is nothing available in either respect. Get a hiracer, biggest advantage of a recumbent is the comfy seat and the aerodynamics.
TapioBlue 3 months ago
@TapioBlue I am guessing that a CruzBike Vendetta/Silvio is the closest commercially available bike with a Al frame that has the same format. I personally do not like a long single chain running to the back since I believe is an inefficient power transfer mechanism. Back in college, I built a rear wheel drive recumbent trike but with 2 shorter chains joined by a custom power transfer linkage that also allowed for additional gear ratios. The front chain required a chain tensioner.
tecnocato 3 months ago
@tecnocato There is the Traction Z by Zockra-Factory.
TapioBlue 3 months ago
@TapioBlue That is definetly the closest... visited their site. It says is a prototype but I am guessing they can make them as they advertized themselves as custom bike manufacturers. Thanks for the reply.
tecnocato 3 months ago
@tecnocato
This is a brilliant design. Why did you go to the trouble to build and the video the process with no plans to either sell complete bikes or at least plans. I would pay good money for a complete set of plans and I am sure others would also.
jr1crow 5 days ago
Honestly, the best looking recumbent I've seen. Great video.
tecnocato 3 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Please tell me you are taking orders.
tecnocato 3 months ago
Looks so fast!!!
velveetaslingshot 3 months ago
Do you happen to have a build thread anywhere?
txghia58 3 months ago
how fast do u think u could go or have gone on this?
mjt11860 4 months ago
an electric version of this would be just awesome :) well done!
mark675 5 months ago
I want a trike version so I can have a Big Wheel again.
stopglobalswarming 7 months ago
Best road bike ever. Too bad Bicycling mag hates recumbents. It should be the cover picture!
stopglobalswarming 7 months ago
Hello there,
your bike reminds me of my bike that i built in 1995.
It was based on A Flevobike racer.
You have done a very nice job!
Cheers, Jimmo from The Netherlands.
jimmo 10 months ago
get a stick Brother :)
For yours camera
sofabike 1 year ago
That is the most awesome recumbent bike I've ever seen!
stopglobalswarming 1 year ago 2
As a layman I have long wondered what is the function of kevlar in carbon-kevlar construction like shown at 1:53. If carbon is brittle (stretches very little before breaking) and strong and kevlar is quite strong as well but stretches a lot more, isn't the carbon going to break before kevlar does anything? If all carbon fibers are longitudinal and all kevlar is placed transversely, you would get longitudal strength of carbon and I guess kevlar would give some resistance impact resistance.
phyotyla 1 year ago
@phyotyla My friend gave this carbon/kevlar sock to me so I used it. I wasn't ultimately concerned with weight but one would have to be quite incompetent to build heavier than steel . On a homebuild an extra layer or two doesn't hurt to compensate for build quality. Pultruded carbon tubes are typically several times stronger than possible with a homebuild.
TapioBlue 1 year ago
@TapioBlue Thanks for the info.
Would you say that I was on the right track in my initial message?
I'm planning to build a carbon high racer and I've been checking what other people have done and I've have seen several individuals using kevlar along with carbon. At least one of them used aramid as a separate layer between carbon layers.
phyotyla 1 year ago
@phyotyla I am not an engineer but I would say you're right. I think a hiracer is a good choice, I convinced my riding buddy to build one. He is a welder so he will use steel for the first one. On my build my last layer was 2oz glass finishing cloth. This allows easier sanding without "cutting" into the structural carbon.
TapioBlue 1 year ago
Are you running a 700c on the rear, and a 650 on the front?
What is your wheelbase?
head tube angle?
What is the final weight of the bike?
cbulen 1 year ago
@cbulen I am using a 700 in the rear and 26" front (Hope hoops ). Much better tire chioce in that size. Head tube angle is 55 deg. Final weight of the bike was 26 lbs with pedals and riding accessories.(Just under 23 bare) The ventist seat pad is just over a pound. Wheelbase is 53.75" (1365mm)
TapioBlue 1 year ago
On paved roads I have never spun the front wheel. Never tried my steepest climb in wet conditons. Our local wall is at least 8 to 10% grade. I did ride the steel prototype up a steep dirt road where I lost traction, it was starting to snow.
@ cbulen I never measured the weight distribution.
TapioBlue 1 year ago
Very nice. How steep can you bike before the front wheel lacks traction?
Thanks for uploading
losability 1 year ago
What's your weight distribution between each wheel when you are on the bike and clipped in --normal riding mode?
cbulen 1 year ago
I've always had a fascination with moving bottom bracket FWD but geometry has to be right for a smooth and predictable ride. The video shows a good all round bike that doesn't affect the steering too much. Obviously a lot of work and congratulations on your build. Its something I would buy.
Is there anything you would change?
Just one other thing, what computer are you using?
regards,
Rick H.
rickhark 1 year ago
@rickhark The computer is the Bontrager Node 2, it has temperature ,altitude and heartrate among other features. This style of bike takes a few hundred km's to get used to the handling and may always be a design with handling compromises. Don't think I would change a whole lot on it based on the riding I have done so far.
TapioBlue 1 year ago
One of the most impressive builds I've ever seen.
battlestroke7 1 year ago
Ho**y S**t, now that's a nice ride! There is more effort in this, than in building a real race car. THUMBS UP all the way.
2scheister 1 year ago
*drool...*
gavtatu 1 year ago
Sweet vid. Awesome bike. When does production start?
chrismmay 1 year ago