| |
Main
Date: 24 Jul 2005 17:26:53
From: None
Subject: Ex-StreetMachine GT riders opinion wanted
|
I presently have a StreetMachine GT and am now looking at my next recumbent.
Having done a few 100km/160km events on rolling roads I really would like to
get a faster bent that goes better on the hills (this is a priority). The
SMGT is a great machine for touring and can't be beaten for comfort but now
i feel its time to move to something faster which can also tour. Am happy to
give up a little on the comfort side as it would be hard to beat the SMGT in
this department. I would be particularly interested in riders who have/are
riding SWB bents made by European companies and their experiences.
I do have the chance to rent out bents from local suppliers for a day but i
don't believe that this gives one enough of a chance to truly evaluate a
suitable replacement. So I would really appreciate honest appraisals from
fellow bent riders esp ex-SMGT riders.
Many thanks
Gus
|
|
| |
Date: 24 Jul 2005 13:59:11
From: Mark Leuck
Subject: Re: Ex-StreetMachine GT riders opinion wanted
|
"None" <binned@btinternet.com > wrote in message
news:dc0j0t$1ij$1@nwrdmz03.dmz.ncs.ea.ibs-infra.bt.com...
> I presently have a StreetMachine GT and am now looking at my next
recumbent.
> Having done a few 100km/160km events on rolling roads I really would like
to
> get a faster bent that goes better on the hills (this is a priority). The
> SMGT is a great machine for touring and can't be beaten for comfort but
now
> i feel its time to move to something faster which can also tour. Am happy
to
> give up a little on the comfort side as it would be hard to beat the SMGT
in
> this department. I would be particularly interested in riders who have/are
> riding SWB bents made by European companies and their experiences.
> I do have the chance to rent out bents from local suppliers for a day but
i
> don't believe that this gives one enough of a chance to truly evaluate a
> suitable replacement. So I would really appreciate honest appraisals from
> fellow bent riders esp ex-SMGT riders.
>
> Many thanks
> Gus
I tour on an Optima Baron, while it's not designed for that it works well,
otherwise I don't think you can combine a good tourer with a good hill
climber
|
| |
Date: 24 Jul 2005 11:04:48
From: Leif
Subject: Re: Ex-StreetMachine GT riders opinion wanted
|
Hi Gus.
When I bought my SMGT, i was happy w/ everything about the bike except
it's climbing ability. After some inquiries on arbr and
bentrideronline, I learned that seat angle plays a significant role in
hill climbing. The problem w/ the SMGT (and even more so on the SMGTE)
is that the seat angle just isn't high enough for a good climbing
position.
My solution: I placed a 2 inch wooden spacer between the back of the
seat and the mounting bracket. This installation required only slight
modification and has made all the climbing difference in the world! I
rode a very hilly tour from San Francisco to Los Angeles w/ 60 lbs of
gear and was able to crank up the hills very nicely using this
configuration.
Hope this helps.
-Leif
|
|
