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06-13-09, 09:26 PM
If you look at this (http://clevercycles.com/?p=193), you'll see a variety of riding positions illustrated. Previously, I had setup my Dahon (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=537715) with short bullhorns (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=537715). It's still a 62 gear inch singlespeed with a recent lube which as it running very smoothly.
After riding on them for a while, I missed the comfort, visibility and feeling of freedom riding Dutch. Its strange, but riding upright with an open chest brings a greater feeling of relaxation than riding all hunched down with my neck straining to look ahead. The new riding position reminds me of a small sized English 3-speed bike.
I reversed the bullhorns to have them pointing towards me instead of away from me. Repositioning the brake levers meant better contact with the levers in my normal riding position. Net result is a Dutchified riding position which is very comfortable, relaxing and still reasonably fast with crouching available as necessary. I can still fold the bike easily although it folds slightly wider than before.
Notice that I raised the handlebars slightly higher than seat level. Knee strike is a potential issue on extremely tight U-turns. In real life riding, its not an issue. It also makes the steering feel less twitchy.
PS - The Kojaks feel very comfortable at 62 psi.
The feeling of the ride is one of effortless walking since the position mimics what feels like an upright spine angle. It offers me three hand positions:
1. The very ends of the bullhorns curve down. For those who appreciate CCW (Concealed and Carry Weapon), it feels like gripping a small pistol. Very natural grip with the Bontrager gel wrap tape.
2. Middle of the horns. Very comfortable where the back of hands face sideways. With a straight bar the back of the hands face the sky tensioning the forearms and wrists. This position where the hands face each other like clapping is very comfortable.
3. Corners of the bars where the bullhorns bend to become straight.
After riding on them for a while, I missed the comfort, visibility and feeling of freedom riding Dutch. Its strange, but riding upright with an open chest brings a greater feeling of relaxation than riding all hunched down with my neck straining to look ahead. The new riding position reminds me of a small sized English 3-speed bike.
I reversed the bullhorns to have them pointing towards me instead of away from me. Repositioning the brake levers meant better contact with the levers in my normal riding position. Net result is a Dutchified riding position which is very comfortable, relaxing and still reasonably fast with crouching available as necessary. I can still fold the bike easily although it folds slightly wider than before.
Notice that I raised the handlebars slightly higher than seat level. Knee strike is a potential issue on extremely tight U-turns. In real life riding, its not an issue. It also makes the steering feel less twitchy.
PS - The Kojaks feel very comfortable at 62 psi.
The feeling of the ride is one of effortless walking since the position mimics what feels like an upright spine angle. It offers me three hand positions:
1. The very ends of the bullhorns curve down. For those who appreciate CCW (Concealed and Carry Weapon), it feels like gripping a small pistol. Very natural grip with the Bontrager gel wrap tape.
2. Middle of the horns. Very comfortable where the back of hands face sideways. With a straight bar the back of the hands face the sky tensioning the forearms and wrists. This position where the hands face each other like clapping is very comfortable.
3. Corners of the bars where the bullhorns bend to become straight.