TI self-made LWB Recumbent
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TI self-made LWB Recumbent
A number of years ago, I wasn't happy with the Ti selection of recumbents, so I made the decision to design/create my LWB on AutoCad ... with the assistance of a local bicycle designer/fabricator. I borrowed the front-end design/geometry from Gold Rush, as I used to own a tour easy and liked the stability and feel of its steering on high speed descents, but the rear-end is a one-off creation. Oversized Ti tubing was selected for heavy touring. A gentlemen who teaches Ti welding down in Grover Beach CA took care of the welding for me. I also created the welding jig for the frame down at the machinist shop. I enjoy my vintage collection of French wedgies, but I can ride this recumbent for 100s of miles w/out any effort and the only thing that is sore are my long distance rides are my two powerful quads-o-plenty. The design/build exercise also cured me of ever wanting to do this for a living ... and in turn, I enjoy my day job that much more ;-)
Cheers,
Cheers,
Last edited by Kinst_VonSterga; 03-16-11 at 12:04 AM.
#2
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Aside from the slightly different method of attaching the seat stays to the main frame and the reinforcements near the rear dropouts, it looks like almost an exact reproduction of a TourEasy. Close enough that I would still call it a clone. A nice-looking clone, too.
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WOW, that's a real beauty of a machine!! Personally, I'd NEVER put a cover over it, it's just way to nice, just to look at it, congrats and ENJOY!!
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Take Care, Ride Safe, have FUN! :)
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very nice bike.
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Aside from the slightly different method of attaching the seat stays to the main frame and the reinforcements near the rear dropouts, it looks like almost an exact reproduction of a TourEasy. Close enough that I would still call it a clone. A nice-looking clone, too.
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Nicely done! Enjoy many happy miles!
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I sat in behind a faired TE a few yrs ago on a ride in Maryland and the shelter was zilch, it was if the airstream closed in behind
the bike and I felt no difference immediately behind or beside the bike. It coasted away from me on even gentle hills.
Lots of thought and careful construction evident in the frame, nice detailing. My bent is Ti also, albeit, polished. Yours is bead
blasted? anodized?
the bike and I felt no difference immediately behind or beside the bike. It coasted away from me on even gentle hills.
Lots of thought and careful construction evident in the frame, nice detailing. My bent is Ti also, albeit, polished. Yours is bead
blasted? anodized?
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I sat in behind a faired TE a few yrs ago on a ride in Maryland and the shelter was zilch, it was if the airstream closed in behind
the bike and I felt no difference immediately behind or beside the bike. It coasted away from me on even gentle hills.
Lots of thought and careful construction evident in the frame, nice detailing. My bent is Ti also, albeit, polished. Yours is bead
blasted? anodized?
the bike and I felt no difference immediately behind or beside the bike. It coasted away from me on even gentle hills.
Lots of thought and careful construction evident in the frame, nice detailing. My bent is Ti also, albeit, polished. Yours is bead
blasted? anodized?
For the windshroud, I find the complete coverage makes me feel entrapped, especially when riding amongst traffic. The biggest impact seems to be the rear-end. I have a smaller butt-end sock that tapers to a point and I get almost the same additional 2-3mpg w/the fairing as when I have the full body sock on. Seems to only help if you can maintain speeds above 15mph, and -5mph when going up hill (as any extra weight is a bummer at that point)!
#11
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Beautiful tig welding. Being titanium, the frame will hold up well (forever). I work with titanium wheelchairs and to take care of stains and scratches you use scotchbrite. I don't believe you can anodize titanium since it is impervious to oxidation. Do you mind if I ask what your source of tubing was? Impressive collection of old French bikes on you posting. Do you post pictures of them. I love those things.
Thanks,
Thanks,
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Most of the tubing, dropouts, etc. were sourced from UBI Institute and a couple of other items from SRP. I think Titanium can be anodized: https://www.finishing.com/1200-1399/1265.shtml though I was told that its a tricky metal to paint on as well.
Here's a link to some of my other bicycle pictures, though I plan on taking some high res shots of the whole gang this spring/summer and will post them to this forum when done.
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...1#post12551364
Here's a link to some of my other bicycle pictures, though I plan on taking some high res shots of the whole gang this spring/summer and will post them to this forum when done.
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...1#post12551364
Beautiful tig welding. Being titanium, the frame will hold up well (forever). I work with titanium wheelchairs and to take care of stains and scratches you use scotchbrite. I don't believe you can anodize titanium since it is impervious to oxidation. Do you mind if I ask what your source of tubing was? Impressive collection of old French bikes on you posting. Do you post pictures of them. I love those things.
Thanks,
Thanks,
#13
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Thanks for enlightening me on that. Had no idea. I knew that it was only the last couple years TiSport in Washington State got painting titanium wheelchair down, and now the have a full range of beautiful finishes. Fascinating information about the anodizing process on ti.
Also thanks for the link to the thumbnails of your collection. Beautiful pieces. Looking forward to the hi res shots.
Mike,
Milton-Freeewater, OR, USA
Also thanks for the link to the thumbnails of your collection. Beautiful pieces. Looking forward to the hi res shots.
Mike,
Milton-Freeewater, OR, USA
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Exquisite craftsmanship ! LWB recumbents are the bomb.
I was considering the Mach II clone design for lower center of gravity seating and thus, higher crank angle. I opted for the Cycle Genius Falcon and got both.
TI is only affordable for me if I built it so I'll settled on the Aluminum frame, I think it handles as good as a Gold Rush.
I was considering the Mach II clone design for lower center of gravity seating and thus, higher crank angle. I opted for the Cycle Genius Falcon and got both.
TI is only affordable for me if I built it so I'll settled on the Aluminum frame, I think it handles as good as a Gold Rush.
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