Well, just passed the 500 miles mark on the HP Velotechnik Speedmachine that I bought in September. I thought that I would share my impressions.
- I am still not as confident in traffic as I am on my DF
- I'm WAY faster on the bent than on my racing DF.
- I am spinning more than mashing, but still don't spin as fast as I do on the DF
- Every day i get comments and questions about the bike, it's not the best choice for shy people
- It really is more confortable than a DF, hands down
- I have set a minimum speed of 20 mph on the flats, regardless of wind and have no trouble keeping it
- Riding up normal rolling hills is about the same as my roadie, but the steep hills make me wish for the roadie again.
- My knees feel more tired aster a ride on the bent
- Need some advice about riding in rain and snow. My head is tilted back. I currently wear a ball cap under myhelmet and shades with cat crap on them. I'm concerned for when it starts to sleet and snow, I think it will HURT! what do you folks do in that situation?
- Love my bent, haven't ridden the roadie once since i got her! :)
BlazingPedals
10-20-05, 08:26 PM
I think your observations are spot-on.
I know there's lots of bent riders that ride them all winter, but... I've found that riding in slippery stuff requires a lot of body english, so just like when riding technical MTB stuff, an upright tends to be better in snow and ice. It's not as comfortable, but I don't put in so many miles in the winter anyway. Besides, why put your nice bike out in that nasty stuff? DFs are a dime a dozen. Let them get rusty. :D
jeff-o
10-21-05, 06:08 AM
So, what can you do about the knees issue? Is this a common thing? I suppose it depends on whether the pedals are above, at the same level, or below your hips...
BlazingPedals
10-21-05, 10:19 AM
So, what can you do about the knees issue? Is this a common thing? I suppose it depends on whether the pedals are above, at the same level, or below your hips...
It's the same regardless of the seat-to-pedal relationship. Just keep working on your spin and strive for a smooth, round stroke.
Trsnrtr
10-21-05, 03:38 PM
Well, just passed the 500 miles mark on the HP Velotechnik Speedmachine that I bought in September. I thought that I would share my impressions.
Most of your remarks are on par for a new bent rider. My knees/muscles didn't feel tuned in for a couple thousand miles. Even now after 15,000 miles, a new bent purchase will give me sore muscles and achy knees for 500 miles or so.
Like BP said, keep riding it and it only gets better, including the starting/stopping and the hill climbing.
-Dennis
sch
10-21-05, 09:24 PM
As to ice and sleet, you might consider a helmet with a face mask. I haven't seen one in the usual catalogs but I have seen pros riding with facemasks so they must be around. I have trouble in cold weather with cold air causing tearing and plan to try to adapt one of the motorcycle half masks to older bike helmet with some nylon screws.
Mask is about $5-6 and designed to snap on motorcycle helmets. I agree with blaze, ride a DF in the snow and ice, salt does terrible things to bikes and your bent is too valuable and vulnerable to risk. It will slide out in a heartbeat. Google on Icebike for some winter riding info. There was an article 6-8yrs ago by a Canadian about winter riding in sub 10F and sub 0F weather that was funny. There is a forum on bikeforums about winter riding also.
As to the knees, this is normal and one clue is your statement you still don't spin as much on the bent as you do on the DF. Increasing the cadence to at least your DF cadence, preferably a bit higher should help.
Steve
erik forsgren
10-23-05, 01:49 AM
Well, just passed the 500 miles mark on the HP Velotechnik Speedmachine that I bought in September. I thought that I would share my impressions.
- I am still not as confident in traffic as I am on my DF
- I'm WAY faster on the bent than on my racing DF.
- I am spinning more than mashing, but still don't spin as fast as I do on the DF
- Every day i get comments and questions about the bike, it's not the best choice for shy people
- It really is more confortable than a DF, hands down
- I have set a minimum speed of 20 mph on the flats, regardless of wind and have no trouble keeping it
- Riding up normal rolling hills is about the same as my roadie, but the steep hills make me wish for the roadie again.
- My knees feel more tired aster a ride on the bent
- Need some advice about riding in rain and snow. My head is tilted back. I currently wear a ball cap under myhelmet and shades with cat crap on them. I'm concerned for when it starts to sleet and snow, I think it will HURT! what do you folks do in that situation?
- Love my bent, haven't ridden the roadie once since i got her! :) Hello Mars,I'm glad you like your new speedmachine. I can understand that you feel a bit uncomfortable in traffic now in the beginning visibility being the most urgent problem, but you will get used to it and adapt accordingly. The other day I was hit by a young lady on a DF because she was riding to the left in a sharp corner of a street. Had she stuck to the traffic rules my less visibility wouldn't have mattered. Now I realise the importance of a flag. As for steep hills I can see no real difference in the long run. At the beginning of my bentownership most people were able to surpass me in steep hills. Now only well trained cyclists on Dfs can do it. It takes years of daily training to live up to the DF standard that you once had. So don't you worry you will improve your performance on your bent if you allow it to take some time.