In article <
[email protected]>, Peter Grange wrote:
> Took my first steps towards the Dark Side, ordered a Street Machine yesterday, should have it in 4
> weeks or so.
>
> If any 'bent riders have any experience with riding without clipless pedals I'd be interested to
> hear, good or bad.
>
Bad on the times I've tried. I can see that its dangerous on a trike as you don't want to run over
your feet. I found that without clipless I had to really support my legs, which hurt my knees after
a while. The clipless pedals are quite supporting, and I don't find lack of rotation (OK, is it 5
degrees for SPD) a problem on a trike. My knees are a lot better on the trike than the upright,
where I don't use clipless because of rotation. I have also learned to pedal faster in lower gear.
I've noticed some people commenting here that pushing hard on a trike in high gear is bad for the
knees (but fun down big hills).
I'd be interested in how the Street Machine goes. I've just ordered a reconditioned 2002 ICE XL
Narrow Track. My wife will have a Pioneer (mini tourer) and the bank manager will have a fit. That
said, the two together are still cheaper than a second car, will be very cheap to service and have
no fuel tax, car tax or MOT. Extra bonus if congestion charging finally hits here. The machine we're
riding at the moment goes back to its owners soon, who've been very kind to lend us it.
Which combination of wheel size, seat hight, angle and such was a difficult choice, as all were fun
to ride. The more upright may be more comfortable longer on the neck, but in later tests of
Greenspeed machines I found I really liked being more laid back - pity as the Greenspeed Suitcase
Trike is an excellent idea but quite upright. I like the couplings they use. Steering was very
different between all the machines I tried. I'm getting quite used to Greenspeed steering now, but
preferred the softer feel of the ICE when I started testing.
I went small wheel for carrying (tent, sleeping bag, equipment) in the end, and narrow track for our
cycle lanes. I've measured the local A-Frames at about 80cm wide (give or take a bit, they vary in
width and shape) at wheel height off the ground so should fit through them.
- Richard
--
_/_/_/ _/_/_/ _/_/_/ Richard dot Corfield at ntlworld dot com _/ _/ _/ _/ _/_/ _/ _/ Time is a
one way street, _/ _/ _/_/ _/_/_/ Except in the Twighlight Zone.