Recumbent - Python critiques? Building tips?

I am leaning more and more toward homebuilding, and the Python looks like a very good candidate to me. Does anyone have any experience with it? I know the steering is quite unusual and I actually like that part, and I'm ok with the FWD since it's on a 26" (at least) drive wheel, so theoretically it can be fast. What I am skeptical about (and I think some of you might be also) is the rear suspension on the thing. To me, it looks very crude and unrefined, and I question whether or not it robs power. in my personal opinion, most of the jobs done on it look like a piece of junk, even for a homebuilt. The front part of the bike i was OK with, but I'm skeptical about the "rear suspension". Also, if there's anyone out there with some Python or FWD experience, i would ask how the Python compares to other lowracers. Theoretically, could the Python (if built extremely well) be as fast as, say, an Optima Baron, or Jester or M5 or other more well known lowracers? (i'm talking bare vs. bare, no tailfairings or course) Feel free to offer your thoughts/criticism of the Python, which seems a bit like open-source sofware (for those who know what that is:) ) Thanks!

I saw a very well-done version by a guy in Japan, see if you can find it on google.

I assume you have visited Jürgen Mages' website:

http://www.python-lowracer.de/index.html

The Python design is definitely open source; there are many that contribute to it's evolution.

I believe that the Python was never intended to be a scalding racer. In reading Jürgen's website, it appears he uses his own bikes mainly for touring. He admits that due to the negative trail inherent to the design, that it has a feeling of instability over a certain speed, achieved mainly during downhill descents. I think the feel is described as being on ice? Or something like that?

The "Project Survey" page shows many different homebuilds of the Python design. The one Jeff-O refers to is Nobuo's, a REALLY nicely done project from Japan. Check out Gabriel's and Worm's. Both of those bikes look fantastic (and fast)

I do have FWD experience myself. If you have not already seen it, check out my atomBLASTER lowracer:

http://www.geocities.com/atombikes/blaster.html

and VERY soon to be released atomBOLT FWD no-weld bike plans:

http://www.geocities.com/atombikes/bolt.html

(http://www.geocities.com/atombikes/bolt.html)

I could be wrong but from memory didn't the designer and other indicate instability at higher speed with the python, you may be better of with a cruzbike copy, if you look in the homebuilder section at BROL at the moment there is a very similar build detailed.

atombikes, those bikes look sweet! Definetly sign me up for some of those "no weld" plans! The lowracer looks cool too altough the ride looks a little stiff- how is it on the street?

rabbitt,

I emailed you regarding your questions. The atomBLASTER is a stiff ride. That bike was originally designed with an emphasis on hill climbing. I had a RANS seat mounted on it at first, and it was very comfortable. I decided that I wanted to try a more open seat arrangement, so I mounted an anATOMic seat to the BLASTER. That worked great, because the hardshell seat seems to give a place for your shoulders to "lock" into the seat and transfer more power.

The atomBOLT no-weld plans that I will release shortly differ from the previous attempts published online to make a bolt-together FWD bike. The difference is in the details, but very important details to make the bike look more like a production bike, and the details also allow things like front/rear quick release wheels, easy removal of drive wheel, etc...