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Main
Date: 05 Mar 2007 18:03:17
From: Mark
Subject: full size wheel bikes
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I'm not a recumbent rider (yet), but I'm interested.
The one thing I don't like is the small wheel versions. Can anyone
please name or point me to manufacturers that make bikes that have 26"
or 700C wheels front and back?
Thanks.
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Date: 06 Mar 2007 09:04:26
From: Peter Clinch
Subject: Re: full size wheel bikes
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k wrote:
> I'm not a recumbent rider (yet), but I'm interested.
>
> The one thing I don't like is the small wheel versions.
Try them before you write them off. As with Bike Fridays and Moultons
in the upright world, it's quite possible to have a Real Bike with small
wheels /if/ it's been designed and engineered properly.
The main negative of small wheels is rolling resistance, but you can get
around that with some properly implemented suspension coupled with high
pressure tyres. That combination gives you similar rolling resistance,
snappier handling, generally easier mounting and dismounting, and
stronger wheels. Other downside is tyre choice is lower, but you can
get good tyres in typical 'bent sizes without too much trouble.
> Can anyone
> please name or point me to manufacturers that make bikes that have 26"
> or 700C wheels front and back?
Aside from the US ones mentioned, several Eurobents have 26/26 or
700c/700c "highracer" setups (Optima, Challenge, Nazca, M5 and others
too). But don't write off 20" wheels without trying them. We've done
extensive touring, including some rough off-road trails weighed down
with full camping luggage, on our 20" wheeled 'bents.
Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net p.j.clinch@dundee.ac.uk http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/
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Date: 05 Mar 2007 20:19:59
From: Johnny Sunset aka Tom Sherman
Subject: Re: full size wheel bikes
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On 5, 8:58 pm, Edward Dolan wrote:
> Johnny Sunset aka Tom Sherman wrote in messagenews:1173143020.093432.226250@64g2000cwx.googlegroups.com...
>
> > On 5, 5:03 pm, k <consci...@mindless.com> wrote:
> >> I'm not a recumbent rider (yet), but I'm interested.
>
> >> The one thing I don't like is the small wheel versions. Can anyone
> >> please name or point me to manufacturers that make bikes that have 26"
> >> or 700C wheels front and back?
>
> > The best bicycles have an ISO 305-mm (16-inch) front wheel and an ISO
> > 406-mm (20-inch) rear wheel. Anyone who believes otherwise is an
> > incorrigible heathen! ;)
>
> Small wheels are just fine around town. If and when you go on a long
> distance tour, then you want large size wheels. Thus spake Zarathustra.
Lateral strength of spoked wheels is relatively low compared to their
radial strength. Lateral strength can be improved by increasing the
bracing angle of the spokes, either by using a wider hub [1] or a
smaller diameter rim. Since hub width is limited by other practical
considerations, smaller diameter rims are an effective measure. It is
no surprise than almost all trikes use smaller diameter wheels. This
is less important in normal riding, but significant when carrying
heavy touring loads.
Beyond being a more reliable wheel, smaller diameter wheels allow for
better "packaging" of the bicycle, allowing for better weight
distribution. As an added bonus, the bicycle with smaller wheels is
easier to transport in powered conveyances (individual or mass
transit).
The ride comfort deficit of smaller wheels can be compensated for with
relatively simple, low-travel suspension.
Where larger diameter wheels will have a decisive advantage, is on off-
road surfaces, where the larger diameter wheels will "climb" over
surface irregularities. Therefore, the type of route to be taken
should be considered before deciding on a bicycle.
[1] Why tandems are often built with wider hubs than single bicycles.
--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
The weather is here, wish you were beautiful
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Date: 06 Mar 2007 02:04:27
From: Edward Dolan
Subject: Re: full size wheel bikes
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"Johnny Sunset aka Tom Sherman" <sunsetss0003@yahoo.com > wrote in message
news:1173154799.402573.180250@t69g2000cwt.googlegroups.com...
> On 5, 8:58 pm, Edward Dolan wrote:
>> Johnny Sunset aka Tom Sherman wrote in
>> messagenews:1173143020.093432.226250@64g2000cwx.googlegroups.com...
>>
>> > On 5, 5:03 pm, k <consci...@mindless.com> wrote:
>> >> I'm not a recumbent rider (yet), but I'm interested.
>>
>> >> The one thing I don't like is the small wheel versions. Can anyone
>> >> please name or point me to manufacturers that make bikes that have 26"
>> >> or 700C wheels front and back?
>>
>> > The best bicycles have an ISO 305-mm (16-inch) front wheel and an ISO
>> > 406-mm (20-inch) rear wheel. Anyone who believes otherwise is an
>> > incorrigible heathen! ;)
>>
>> Small wheels are just fine around town. If and when you go on a long
>> distance tour, then you want large size wheels. Thus spake Zarathustra.
>
> Lateral strength of spoked wheels is relatively low compared to their
> radial strength. Lateral strength can be improved by increasing the
> bracing angle of the spokes, either by using a wider hub [1] or a
> smaller diameter rim. Since hub width is limited by other practical
> considerations, smaller diameter rims are an effective measure. It is
> no surprise than almost all trikes use smaller diameter wheels. This
> is less important in normal riding, but significant when carrying
> heavy touring loads.
>
> Beyond being a more reliable wheel, smaller diameter wheels allow for
> better "packaging" of the bicycle, allowing for better weight
> distribution. As an added bonus, the bicycle with smaller wheels is
> easier to transport in powered conveyances (individual or mass
> transit).
>
> The ride comfort deficit of smaller wheels can be compensated for with
> relatively simple, low-travel suspension.
>
> Where larger diameter wheels will have a decisive advantage, is on off-
> road surfaces, where the larger diameter wheels will "climb" over
> surface irregularities. Therefore, the type of route to be taken
> should be considered before deciding on a bicycle.
>
> [1] Why tandems are often built with wider hubs than single bicycles.
Mr. Sherman is at his best when he is describing the various advantages and
disadvantages of different configurations of recumbents in non-technical
language. Despite what he might think, I respect his engineering knowledge
and his insight into recumbents. I put him right up there with Robert
Bryant, the editor of RCN.
I think he is right about recumbent trikes needing smaller wheels. However,
I have found that larger wheels work best on long tours with a 2-wheel
recumbent. I have a RANS tailwind with the 20" wheels front and read and it
is just fine for getting around town, but I do not like it for a tour. I
want a larger wheel in the rear. It just seems to roll better. It is the
reason why everyone recommends the RANS V-Rex for tours and the RANS Rocket
for around town.
Furthermore, many of us do not like suspension as it introduces a
complication. The chief advantage of bicycles is their simplicity and that
is how we should want to keep them. If you want suspension, then adjust the
air pressure in your tires.
Regards,
Ed Dolan the Great - Minnesota
aka
Saint Edward the Great - Order of the Perpetual Sorrows - Minnesota
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Date: 05 Mar 2007 17:03:40
From: Johnny Sunset aka Tom Sherman
Subject: Re: full size wheel bikes
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On 5, 5:03 pm, k <consci...@mindless.com > wrote:
> I'm not a recumbent rider (yet), but I'm interested.
>
> The one thing I don't like is the small wheel versions. Can anyone
> please name or point me to manufacturers that make bikes that have 26"
> or 700C wheels front and back?
The best bicycles have an ISO 305-mm (16-inch) front wheel and an ISO
406-mm (20-inch) rear wheel. Anyone who believes otherwise is an
incorrigible heathen! ;)
--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
The weather is here, wish you were beautiful
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Date: 05 Mar 2007 20:58:49
From: Edward Dolan
Subject: Re: full size wheel bikes
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"Johnny Sunset aka Tom Sherman" <sunsetss0003@yahoo.com > wrote in message
news:1173143020.093432.226250@64g2000cwx.googlegroups.com...
> On 5, 5:03 pm, k <consci...@mindless.com> wrote:
>> I'm not a recumbent rider (yet), but I'm interested.
>>
>> The one thing I don't like is the small wheel versions. Can anyone
>> please name or point me to manufacturers that make bikes that have 26"
>> or 700C wheels front and back?
>
> The best bicycles have an ISO 305-mm (16-inch) front wheel and an ISO
> 406-mm (20-inch) rear wheel. Anyone who believes otherwise is an
> incorrigible heathen! ;)
Small wheels are just fine around town. If and when you go on a long
distance tour, then you want large size wheels. Thus spake Zarathustra.
Regards,
Ed Dolan the Great - Minnesota
aka
Saint Edward the Great - Order of the Perpetual Sorrows - Minnesota
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Date: 05 Mar 2007 18:02:54
From: DougC
Subject: Re: full size wheel bikes
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k wrote:
> I'm not a recumbent rider (yet), but I'm interested.
>
> The one thing I don't like is the small wheel versions. Can anyone
> please name or point me to manufacturers that make bikes that have 26"
> or 700C wheels front and back?
>
> Thanks.
Bachetta and Volae make upper-end highracers, Actionbent has a lower-end
one.
For big-wheel LWB's, RANS (two models, stratus-XP and formula-26) and
Lightfoot are two companies.
-Also you might note the RANS "sport series" semi-recumbent bikes; not
*quite* as comfortable as a recumbent but much better comfort than a
regular bike, and still good performance.
--------
Running small wheels is not much detriment most of the time, especially
if you are running wider tires--1.5" wide or more. Worst part of using
two different-size wheels is having to pack two sizes of spare tubes (if
you bring spare tubes).
Another matter to consider is that riders on bikes with higher-set
pedals (such as highracers) tend to see more problems with numb feet
(poor circulation).
~
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Date: 06 Mar 2007 20:36:34
From: gotbent
Subject: Re: full size wheel bikes
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"DougC" <dcimper@norcom2000.com > wrote in message
news:Kc2Hh.394$Z%4.211@newsfe06.lga...
> k wrote:
>> I'm not a recumbent rider (yet), but I'm interested.
>>
>> The one thing I don't like is the small wheel versions. Can anyone please
>> name or point me to manufacturers that make bikes that have 26" or 700C
>> wheels front and back?
>>
>> Thanks.
>
> Bachetta and Volae make upper-end highracers, Actionbent has a lower-end
> one.
>
> For big-wheel LWB's, RANS (two models, stratus-XP and formula-26) and
> Lightfoot are two companies.
>
> -Also you might note the RANS "sport series" semi-recumbent bikes; not
> *quite* as comfortable as a recumbent but much better comfort than a
> regular bike, and still good performance.
> --------
> Running small wheels is not much detriment most of the time, especially if
> you are running wider tires--1.5" wide or more. Worst part of using two
> different-size wheels is having to pack two sizes of spare tubes (if you
> bring spare tubes).
>
> Another matter to consider is that riders on bikes with higher-set pedals
> (such as highracers) tend to see more problems with numb feet (poor
> circulation).
> ~
You can also find "big wheel" bents from Velokraft and M5.
--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com
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Date: 05 Mar 2007 20:31:54
From: Mark
Subject: Re: full size wheel bikes
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In article <Kc2Hh.394$Z%4.211@newsfe06.lga >, dcimper@norcom2000.com
says...
> k wrote:
> > I'm not a recumbent rider (yet), but I'm interested.
> >
> > The one thing I don't like is the small wheel versions. Can anyone
> > please name or point me to manufacturers that make bikes that have 26"
> > or 700C wheels front and back?
> >
> > Thanks.
>
> Bachetta and Volae make upper-end highracers, Actionbent has a lower-end
> one.
>
> For big-wheel LWB's, RANS (two models, stratus-XP and formula-26) and
> Lightfoot are two companies.
>
> -Also you might note the RANS "sport series" semi-recumbent bikes; not
> *quite* as comfortable as a recumbent but much better comfort than a
> regular bike, and still good performance.
> --------
> Running small wheels is not much detriment most of the time, especially
> if you are running wider tires--1.5" wide or more. Worst part of using
> two different-size wheels is having to pack two sizes of spare tubes (if
> you bring spare tubes).
>
> Another matter to consider is that riders on bikes with higher-set
> pedals (such as highracers) tend to see more problems with numb feet
> (poor circulation).
> ~
>
Thanks a bunch. I'm liking the looks of the Volae. The RANS just seems
weird; might as well stay on a double triangle...
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Date: 06 Mar 2007 16:05:06
From: DougC
Subject: Re: full size wheel bikes
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k wrote:
> Thanks a bunch. I'm liking the looks of the Volae. The RANS just seems
> weird; might as well stay on a double triangle...
Well, test ride one if you get the chance.
I have a 2006 RANS Fusion, it's quite nice. I just spent $600 putting
better wheels and disk brakes on it.
It is not quite as effortless to ride as a recumbent is, because you
have to hold yourself up on the seat,,, but it is still /much/ more
comfortable than a regular upright bike--and yet it feels more *agile*,
more like an upright bike is.
Also it's easy for guests to use.
My other two bikes are a SWB and a LWB. The SWB many people had problems
starting on, the LWB most people can get rolling on but they're
shaky--but if a person can handle a "normal" bicycle, then they can just
sit on the Fusion and go riding anywhere, even alongside car traffic.
It's as easy to ride as an upright bike is.
~
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Date: 05 Mar 2007 21:36:12
From: Roger Zoul
Subject: Re: full size wheel bikes
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k wrote:
:: In article <Kc2Hh.394$Z%4.211@newsfe06.lga >, dcimper@norcom2000.com
:: says...
::: k wrote:
:::: I'm not a recumbent rider (yet), but I'm interested.
::::
:::: The one thing I don't like is the small wheel versions. Can anyone
:::: please name or point me to manufacturers that make bikes that have
:::: 26" or 700C wheels front and back?
::::
:::: Thanks.
:::
::: Bachetta and Volae make upper-end highracers, Actionbent has a
::: lower-end one.
:::
::: For big-wheel LWB's, RANS (two models, stratus-XP and formula-26)
::: and Lightfoot are two companies.
:::
::: -Also you might note the RANS "sport series" semi-recumbent bikes;
::: not *quite* as comfortable as a recumbent but much better comfort
::: than a regular bike, and still good performance.
::: --------
::: Running small wheels is not much detriment most of the time,
::: especially if you are running wider tires--1.5" wide or more. Worst
::: part of using two different-size wheels is having to pack two sizes
::: of spare tubes (if you bring spare tubes).
:::
::: Another matter to consider is that riders on bikes with higher-set
::: pedals (such as highracers) tend to see more problems with numb feet
::: (poor circulation).
::: ~
:::
:: Thanks a bunch. I'm liking the looks of the Volae. The RANS just
:: seems weird; might as well stay on a double triangle...
You need to ride as many different bikes as you can....judging based on what
"seems" is likely not be a good method.
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Date: 05 Mar 2007 18:58:48
From: Roger Zoul
Subject: Re: full size wheel bikes
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www.Ransbikes.com
Stratus XP, Formula V2 or V3.
k wrote:
:: I'm not a recumbent rider (yet), but I'm interested.
::
:: The one thing I don't like is the small wheel versions. Can anyone
:: please name or point me to manufacturers that make bikes that have
:: 26" or 700C wheels front and back?
::
:: Thanks.
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