'Bents Don't Allow for Proper Leg Extension?

[NYC XYZ]

Studying specs and photos the HP Velotechnik SMGTe I plan on getting, I
notice that the legs never seem to straighten "properly," which I
understand -- on a DF, anyway, which is where I'm coming from (has
there EVER been someone in the whole history of wheels who STARTED
cycling with a BENT???) -- is extending the legs just before locking
the knees...?

'Cause you get more power that way, right? Like throwing a punch, I
imagine -- you want to "follow through" and not "hold back"...and it's
bad of the knees, even, to apply force but not extend the legs so that
the force "goes somewhere" THROUGH instead of being "trapped" IN the
knees....

 

[Jeff Wills]

NYC XYZ wrote:
> Studying specs and photos the HP Velotechnik SMGTe I plan on getting, I
> notice that the legs never seem to straighten "properly," which I
> understand -- on a DF, anyway, which is where I'm coming from (has
> there EVER been someone in the whole history of wheels who STARTED
> cycling with a BENT???) -- is extending the legs just before locking
> the knees...?
>
> 'Cause you get more power that way, right? Like throwing a punch, I
> imagine -- you want to "follow through" and not "hold back"...and it's
> bad of the knees, even, to apply force but not extend the legs so that
> the force "goes somewhere" THROUGH instead of being "trapped" IN the
> knees....

Huh? The SMGTe has an adjustable-length boom, just like nearly every
other short-wheelbase recumbent ever made. This allows for the
"correct" leg extension- "correct" being defined by what gives the
greatest power without damage to the knees. Recumbent seat adjustment
is as personal as upright adjustment, if not more so since your leg
extension is confined by the seat back.

Jeff

 

[Peter Clinch]

NYC XYZ wrote:
> Studying specs and photos the HP Velotechnik SMGTe I plan on getting

Have you ridden any 'bents yet? If not, did you listen to those posts I
wrote saying it's Really Really important to ride things rather than
decide from paper specifications?

> notice that the legs never seem to straighten "properly," which I
> understand -- on a DF, anyway, which is where I'm coming from (has
> there EVER been someone in the whole history of wheels who STARTED
> cycling with a BENT???) -- is extending the legs just before locking
> the knees...?

What your legs do will depend on the distance to the cranks from your
hips. This is adjustable on the GTe, so set it where it suits, possibly
substituting alternative cranks.

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 [email protected] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

 

[John Forrest Tomlinson]

On 19 Jan 2006 21:03:10 -0800, "NYC XYZ" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>Studying specs and photos the HP Velotechnik SMGTe I plan on getting, I
>notice that the legs never seem to straighten "properly," which I
>understand -- on a DF, anyway, which is where I'm coming from (has
>there EVER been someone in the whole history of wheels who STARTED
>cycling with a BENT???) -- is extending the legs just before locking
>the knees...?
>
>'Cause you get more power that way, right? Like throwing a punch, I
>imagine -- you want to "follow through" and not "hold back"...and it's
>bad of the knees, even, to apply force but not extend the legs so that
>the force "goes somewhere" THROUGH instead of being "trapped" IN the
>knees....

Nice troll.

JT


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[NYC XYZ]

Thanks for the 411 -- glad I asked!

Didn't know you could adjust the length...good deal!



Jeff Wills wrote:
>
>
> Huh? The SMGTe has an adjustable-length boom, just like nearly every
> other short-wheelbase recumbent ever made. This allows for the
> "correct" leg extension- "correct" being defined by what gives the
> greatest power without damage to the knees. Recumbent seat adjustment
> is as personal as upright adjustment, if not more so since your leg
> extension is confined by the seat back.
>
> Jeff

 

[NYC XYZ]

Peter Clinch wrote:
>
>
> Have you ridden any 'bents yet? If not, did you listen to those posts I
> wrote saying it's Really Really important to ride things rather than
> decide from paper specifications?

How embarrassing!

I read your very informative posts, but I'll only be on a 'bent for the
first time ever this weekend, so I guess I didn't put one and one
together in a meaningful way.

> What your legs do will depend on the distance to the cranks from your
> hips. This is adjustable on the GTe, so set it where it suits, possibly
> substituting alternative cranks.

Glad to hear it; thanks! A ride will be worth a thousand posts...of
mine, anyway -- and it's already Friday!

> 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 [email protected] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

 

[Johnny Sunset]

John Forrest Tomlinson wrote:
> On 19 Jan 2006 21:03:10 -0800, "NYC XYZ" <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
> >Studying specs and photos the HP Velotechnik SMGTe I plan on getting, I
> >notice that the legs never seem to straighten "properly," which I
> >understand -- on a DF, anyway, which is where I'm coming from (has
> >there EVER been someone in the whole history of wheels who STARTED
> >cycling with a BENT???) -- is extending the legs just before locking
> >the knees...?
> >
> >'Cause you get more power that way, right? Like throwing a punch, I
> >imagine -- you want to "follow through" and not "hold back"...and it's
> >bad of the knees, even, to apply force but not extend the legs so that
> >the force "goes somewhere" THROUGH instead of being "trapped" IN the
> >knees....
>
> Nice troll.

The HP Velotechnik Street Machine GT [1] comes with Shimano bar-end
shifters.

[1] <http://www.hpvelotechnik.com/produkte/sm/index_e.html>.

--
Tom Sherman - Fox River Valley (For a bit)