Wirral John wrote:
> "Vincent Wilcox" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>It would seem that if you want to make a fast getaway that
>>there are better choices than a recumbent! Sore thumb.
> what What WHAT!
> Obviously never riden or seen a bent!
They're not great for a fast getaway, whatever sort it is of the ones
I've seen and ridden. First up you have to get on and get sat down
before you can go anywhere. On a wedgie you just run along and mount in
motion if you're in a hurry. From a standing start /off/ the cycle I
would defy any 'bent rider to make a quicker getaway than anyone who can
do a rolling mount on any wedgie of roughly the right dimensions for
them. And that's an experienced 'bent rider. Most people start off by
wondering if they even /could/ ride the thing, let alone the best way to
get on and make a fast getaway. The easiest way to nick one in most
cases would be to park your white van next to it, pick it up, pop it in
the back and drive off. And the fact they tend to be heavier and more
awkward to carry doesn't help there...
> As the proud owner of a Windcheetah Club Sport I take you to task sir. On
> the flat and of course downhill, or even against a head wind, a bent will
> out match a 'normal' bike anytime, espescially a MTB.
You say "a" rather than specifically a Windcheetah. If you can outrun a
Giant OCR on a Flevo OkeJa with a similar standard of rider on the OCR I
would be /very/ surprised. The OkeJa doesn't have the light weight, the
aerodynamics, the low rolling resistance wheels or the gearing for any
sort of speed. All 'bents are not the same.
For a quick getaway you might note that Sam Whittingham has ridden a
Bike Friday (and not the recumbent model!) in standing start sprints at
HPV events...
> Not only that, but they get the attention on car drivers more, look cool and
> are far better all round.
Though not "all around", for what I want I agree, which is why I ride
one, but I'll get off the starting blocks quicker on my Brompton than
the Streetmachine!
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/