Hey, just checking up on you. I was wondering if you have any regrets purchasing a baron that John and I talked you into. Now that you have a baron, do you wish you had of went a different direction?

Hey Chris! Long time no see! I have only two regrets about the baron:

1) I have developed tendonitis that I know was caused by the recumbent. I can't seem to get rid of it, and was off all bikes from October to March. It's better now, but I'm still trying to heal. It was caused by too much boom extension. I've shortened that up, but now I think it's too short. I still seem to be trying to work out optimum boom length. Might go with some smaller cranks once I figure out if/how I need to change the rings as well.

2) I'm wondering if I shouldn't have just went balls-out and gotten a vk2. It seems I am a weight and/or speed weenie. I want faster faster faster. I've been trying to decide wether or not to get a vk2, or go that final distance with the baron and carbon-up what's left (cranks and fork, maybe a tailbox).

Otherwise, no regrets. I can fly on the thing now, and am loving it. I'm 25 pounds lighter this year, and the translation into speed is quite nice. I love being able to hold high speed for miles on end. I still suck at climbing, but I'm getting better. Other than possibly the vk2, I can't imagine what other bike would fit me better.

How are things your way? I was hoping I'd get to do the Horsey Hundred again this year, but we had some snow days and now I've got to work through friday, so I have no way to get there in time for the ride. I'm doing Ragbrai on the Baron, though.....

Let me jump in her, if you will. First off, what kind of tendonitis did you develop? I developed tendonitis of the hamstrings way back in '90 and it still bothers me today on DFs.

Secondly, I'm in the same quandry with my Baron. I've gone to a 650 std. wheel in the rear with a std. brake, carbon cranks, dropped chain, and a VK carbon seat. I'm down to 26# flat and am debating about a cf fork and boom or just spring for a new high-zoot bike like the VK2. Decisions, decisions...

If the new Barons would ever hit the shores, I want to get a look at them, too...

Dennis

Mine is quadriceps tendonitis. basically whenever I do a straight-legged stretch, the place where the muscle attaches above the knee explodes in pain. I don't experience discomfort on the DF.

I guess I need that hollow-pin chain, too :)

Mine is quadriceps tendonitis. basically whenever I do a straight-legged stretch, the place where the muscle attaches above the knee explodes in pain. I don't experience discomfort on the DF.

I worry about tendonitis of the quadriceps because I often sort of have a muscle "crash" after several 200+ mile weeks in a row where my quads get so sore that it feels like the pain is near the bone. I only get that on bents and I only have hamstring trouble on DFs. I'm sure it's a seat distance problem in both cases but I've ridden so many thousands of miles in those positions that it's hard to change now. :)