Hmm, Maybe I Should Be an HP Velotechnik Dealer?

[NYC XYZ]

I feel like an ambassador! Or a traveling circus...so many have wanted
to take a picture of my bike...I've now taken to just referring them to
the google keywords of "smgte" and "recumbent"...too bad I'm not in
business!

Just as well: most folks won't be able to afford it -- they'd think a
$600 ActionBent is crazy, never mind ~$3.5K for a souped-up HP Velo
SMGTe!

Wish I'd thought of getting air-sprung suspension for the front, too,
like with a White Bros. fork or something...seems silly having a
basically regular steel spring up there when I've got a nice air shock
in the rear. My front brakes keep getting misaligned or something on
account of all the potholes I go over...no problem at all with the rear
disc!

I wonder what it takes to be an HP Velo dealer...NYC certainly needs
one! It's amazing the anti-'bent bias from the LBSes...it's mild, but
definitely there: one guy (the snarky racer guy I'd mentioned in the
old thread about bad bike shop manners) said to me yesterday, "Dude!
What happened, the last time I saw you, you were insisting on a Trek,
and now you've got into this...this whole sub-culture...!" Another
bike shop was only mildly interested in helping me with mechanical
issues on it.

Interestingly, I see a 'bent-rider almost every time I go out for a
ride! Unfortunately, I don't really see them on the streets, but in
parks. I can't wait for the day when I can be just another bicyclist
on my 'bent! Though I'd miss that "respect" and wide berth motorists
give as they slow down to gawk. I still haven't had any honk at me for
being slow starting up on a hill or for taking up the whole lane!

Also can't wait for them hydrogen fuel cell cars so I am no longer
about eye-level with the exhaust...blech!

 

[NedTexTri]

"NYC XYZ" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I feel like an ambassador! Or a traveling circus...so many have wanted
> to take a picture of my bike...I've now taken to just referring them to
> the google keywords of "smgte" and "recumbent"...too bad I'm not in
> business!
>
> Just as well: most folks won't be able to afford it -- they'd think a
> $600 ActionBent is crazy, never mind ~$3.5K for a souped-up HP Velo
> SMGTe!
>
> Wish I'd thought of getting air-sprung suspension for the front, too,
> like with a White Bros. fork or something...seems silly having a
> basically regular steel spring up there when I've got a nice air shock
> in the rear. My front brakes keep getting misaligned or something on
> account of all the potholes I go over...no problem at all with the rear
> disc!
>
> I wonder what it takes to be an HP Velo dealer...NYC certainly needs
> one! It's amazing the anti-'bent bias from the LBSes...it's mild, but
> definitely there: one guy (the snarky racer guy I'd mentioned in the
> old thread about bad bike shop manners) said to me yesterday, "Dude!
> What happened, the last time I saw you, you were insisting on a Trek,
> and now you've got into this...this whole sub-culture...!" Another
> bike shop was only mildly interested in helping me with mechanical
> issues on it.
>
> Interestingly, I see a 'bent-rider almost every time I go out for a
> ride! Unfortunately, I don't really see them on the streets, but in
> parks. I can't wait for the day when I can be just another bicyclist
> on my 'bent! Though I'd miss that "respect" and wide berth motorists
> give as they slow down to gawk. I still haven't had any honk at me for
> being slow starting up on a hill or for taking up the whole lane!
>
> Also can't wait for them hydrogen fuel cell cars so I am no longer
> about eye-level with the exhaust...blech!
>

 

[NedTexTri]

NO... and it's funny how you didn't appear until after the previous annoying bent rider poster was booted for posting links to his ridiculous bent blog... maybe it's time for you to get banned as well...


"NYC XYZ" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
>I feel like an ambassador! Or a traveling circus...so many have wanted
> to take a picture of my bike...I've now taken to just referring them to
> the google keywords of "smgte" and "recumbent"...too bad I'm not in
> business!
>
> Just as well: most folks won't be able to afford it -- they'd think a
> $600 ActionBent is crazy, never mind ~$3.5K for a souped-up HP Velo
> SMGTe!
>
> Wish I'd thought of getting air-sprung suspension for the front, too,
> like with a White Bros. fork or something...seems silly having a
> basically regular steel spring up there when I've got a nice air shock
> in the rear. My front brakes keep getting misaligned or something on
> account of all the potholes I go over...no problem at all with the rear
> disc!
>
> I wonder what it takes to be an HP Velo dealer...NYC certainly needs
> one! It's amazing the anti-'bent bias from the LBSes...it's mild, but
> definitely there: one guy (the snarky racer guy I'd mentioned in the
> old thread about bad bike shop manners) said to me yesterday, "Dude!
> What happened, the last time I saw you, you were insisting on a Trek,
> and now you've got into this...this whole sub-culture...!" Another
> bike shop was only mildly interested in helping me with mechanical
> issues on it.
>
> Interestingly, I see a 'bent-rider almost every time I go out for a
> ride! Unfortunately, I don't really see them on the streets, but in
> parks. I can't wait for the day when I can be just another bicyclist
> on my 'bent! Though I'd miss that "respect" and wide berth motorists
> give as they slow down to gawk. I still haven't had any honk at me for
> being slow starting up on a hill or for taking up the whole lane!
>
> Also can't wait for them hydrogen fuel cell cars so I am no longer
> about eye-level with the exhaust...blech!
>

 

[Gooserider]

You really shouldn't be crossposting to the marketplace group, NYC. Bad form.

 

[John Kimmel]

> being slow starting up on a hill or for taking up the whole lane!
>
> Also can't wait for them hydrogen fuel cell cars so I am no longer
> about eye-level with the exhaust...blech!
>
There's a hill in NYC?

--
John Kimmel
[email protected]

GET YER STINKING PAWS OFF ME YOU DAMN DIRTY APE!

 

[NYC XYZ]

John Kimmel wrote:
>
> There's a hill in NYC?
>
> --
> John Kimmel
> [email protected]
>
> GET YER STINKING PAWS OFF ME YOU DAMN DIRTY APE!



Oh hell yeah! So far, I've been able to negotiate them all, I'm happy
-- and rather proud, considering the 'bent is ~37-lbs. -- to say.

Basically, as you go uptown, and particular in the Bronx, you encounter
a lot of hills.

On the West Side bike path, just yards from right under the GWB, you
will find two very steep climbs. They're short, but steep, and one of
them curves sharply, so it's a bit of a challenge not only to spin your
pedals on a 'bent like the SMGTe but also keep balanced!

 

[NYC XYZ]

Gooserider wrote:
> You really shouldn't be crossposting to the marketplace group, NYC. Bad form.


Don't know what the big deal is. I'm only half-joking in wondering
what's involved in becoming a specialty bike dealer. In this age of
the internet, it's probably profitably possible. Since this is a
marketplace newsgroup, that question seems rather on-topic.

 

[Gooserider]

"NYC XYZ" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> Gooserider wrote:
>> You really shouldn't be crossposting to the marketplace group, NYC. Bad
>> form.
>
>
> Don't know what the big deal is. I'm only half-joking in wondering
> what's involved in becoming a specialty bike dealer. In this age of
> the internet, it's probably profitably possible. Since this is a
> marketplace newsgroup, that question seems rather on-topic.

You aren't selling anything. The .marketplace NG is for the selling of
items. That's the big deal.

 

[NedTexTri]

I don't think you're listening... stop chatting here... find a newsgroup for
people like you.


"NYC XYZ" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> John Kimmel wrote:
>>
>> There's a hill in NYC?
>>
>> --
>> John Kimmel
>> [email protected]
>>
>> GET YER STINKING PAWS OFF ME YOU DAMN DIRTY APE!
>
>
>
> Oh hell yeah! So far, I've been able to negotiate them all, I'm happy
> -- and rather proud, considering the 'bent is ~37-lbs. -- to say.
>
> Basically, as you go uptown, and particular in the Bronx, you encounter
> a lot of hills.
>
> On the West Side bike path, just yards from right under the GWB, you
> will find two very steep climbs. They're short, but steep, and one of
> them curves sharply, so it's a bit of a challenge not only to spin your
> pedals on a 'bent like the SMGTe but also keep balanced!
>

 

[NYC XYZ]

Gooserider wrote:
>
>
> You aren't selling anything. The .marketplace NG is for the selling of
> items. That's the big deal.


I have to sell something here to post here?

I have a question about a part of the bicycle market.

It's on-topic enough for me. I'm not forcing you to read. Really
don't know what's the big deal.

 

[Gooserider]

"NYC XYZ" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> Gooserider wrote:
>>
>>
>> You aren't selling anything. The .marketplace NG is for the selling of
>> items. That's the big deal.
>
>
> I have to sell something here to post here?
>
> I have a question about a part of the bicycle market.
>
> It's on-topic enough for me. I'm not forcing you to read. Really
> don't know what's the big deal.

Yes, you should either be selling something or looking to buy something to
initiate a thread in a marketplace newsgroup. Why did you crosspost to
it---because it mentioned bicycle in the ng name? You're being obstinate.
You know you're wrong.

 

[Peter Clinch]

NYC XYZ wrote:

> Wish I'd thought of getting air-sprung suspension for the front, too,

You effectively have, thanks to the air in the elastomer within the Meks
fork. See
http://www.hpvelotechnik.com/produkte/federgabeln/federsystem_e.html

> My front brakes keep getting misaligned or something on
> account of all the potholes I go over...no problem at all with the rear
> disc!

I would suggest your front wheel needs tightening in the dropouts in
this case, rather than you need a different set of forks With a
reasonably rigid link between wheel and forks it shouldn't go out of
alignment just because you hit a bump.

> I wonder what it takes to be an HP Velo dealer...

I guess a contract with HP Velotechnik and a viable business plan. I
don't know about the contract, but I think the viable business plan will
come first and would be tricky as the market is very small and you'll
need to provide specialist backup. At the moment you have someone else
shorten chains for you, so you'll need to hire a full time mechanic
which makes your wage bill double what most small bike shops have to pay
out. Also your up-front cost on demonstrator bikes will be high, even
at cost.

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/

 

[Mike Rice]

On Mon, 15 May 2006 02:12:02 GMT, "NedTexTri" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>I don't think you're listening... stop chatting here... find a newsgroup for
>people like you.
>
>
>"NYC XYZ" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>>
>> John Kimmel wrote:
>>>
>>> There's a hill in NYC?
>>>
>>> --
>>> John Kimmel
>>> [email protected]
>>>
>>> GET YER STINKING PAWS OFF ME YOU DAMN DIRTY APE!
>>
>>
>>
>> Oh hell yeah! So far, I've been able to negotiate them all, I'm happy
>> -- and rather proud, considering the 'bent is ~37-lbs. -- to say.
>>
>> Basically, as you go uptown, and particular in the Bronx, you encounter
>> a lot of hills.
>>
>> On the West Side bike path, just yards from right under the GWB, you
>> will find two very steep climbs. They're short, but steep, and one of
>> them curves sharply, so it's a bit of a challenge not only to spin your
>> pedals on a 'bent like the SMGTe but also keep balanced!
>>
You didn't identify which newsgroup. This seems on-topic for two of
the three groups in the (cross-posted) headers, so I assume your
complaining from the marketplace group. If so your complaint is valid.

Indiana Mike
>

 

[NYC XYZ]

Gooserider wrote:
>
>
> Yes, you should either be selling something or looking to buy something to
> initiate a thread in a marketplace newsgroup. Why did you crosspost to
> it---because it mentioned bicycle in the ng name? You're being obstinate.
> You know you're wrong.


I'm not being obstinate at all -- I'm only interpreting the words
"bicycle" and "marketplace" more broadly than you are. I didn't think
the newsgroup was only an online classifieds section, and frankly I'm
still not convinced that it actually is.

It may be the common practice that 99.99% of all posts are of the
"classifieds" variety but I don't see how that makes the other .01%
like mine totally off-topic or beyond the pale.

Sorry, but all I hear is that I shouldn't be posting here about my
questions concerning 1) the bike business, specifically how a
dealership works, and 2) whether White Bros. air shocks for the fork
would have been more fitting for a bike outfitted with a DT Swiss rear
air shock.

Sounds like your complaints are more off-topic than anything I've asked
about! In any case, I agree to disagree and you may have the last word
in this thread on that matter.

 

[NYC XYZ]

Peter Clinch wrote:
>
>
> You effectively have, thanks to the air in the elastomer within the Meks
> fork. See
> http://www.hpvelotechnik.com/produkte/federgabeln/federsystem_e.html

What I don't understand is how one side has the spring while the other
side (the right one, if you're sitting in [that's right, "in"] the
bike) has the air dampening. So that means that only the left side is
absorbing any road shock!

> I would suggest your front wheel needs tightening in the dropouts in
> this case, rather than you need a different set of forks With a
> reasonably rigid link between wheel and forks it shouldn't go out of
> alignment just because you hit a bump.

I didn't think so -- thanks for the suggestion, it never occured to me
that maybe my quick-release axle (or whatever that thinggy is called)
is at fault!

> I guess a contract with HP Velotechnik and a viable business plan. I
> don't know about the contract, but I think the viable business plan will
> come first and would be tricky as the market is very small and you'll
> need to provide specialist backup. At the moment you have someone else
> shorten chains for you, so you'll need to hire a full time mechanic
> which makes your wage bill double what most small bike shops have to pay
> out. Also your up-front cost on demonstrator bikes will be high, even
> at cost.

Hehe...my up-front demonstrator bike would be my own -- but you're
right about my mechanical ineptitude, as well as lack of business
acumen! Still, I was only wondering about "kick-backs" to the company
and so forth....

> 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/

 

[Peter Clinch]

NYC XYZ wrote:

> What I don't understand is how one side has the spring while the other
> side (the right one, if you're sitting in [that's right, "in"] the
> bike) has the air dampening. So that means that only the left side is
> absorbing any road shock!

I'm not sure where you got that idea from. AFAICT each side of the fork
has identical spring/elastomer setup, spring at the top (so it can be
adjusted at the fork crown end) and elastomer underneath. The air
damping is within the elastomer as closed cells in the material.

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/

 

[NYC XYZ]

Um, it says so in the manual, don't it? Also, the dampening can only
be controlled on the right side, while the "resistance" (I forget the
technical term) can only be adjusted on the left side.

I've got the upgraded fork, BTW, the one with the air dampening on the
right and spring coil "resistance," as I say, on the left.



Peter Clinch wrote:
>
>
> I'm not sure where you got that idea from. AFAICT each side of the fork
> has identical spring/elastomer setup, spring at the top (so it can be
> adjusted at the fork crown end) and elastomer underneath. The air
> damping is within the elastomer as closed cells in the material.
>
> 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/

 

[Peter Clinch]

NYC XYZ wrote:
> Um, it says so in the manual, don't it?

Fair enough, I'm just looking at the web site pic and that may well be
the old Ballistic fork on mine.

However, both sides will affect the behaviour of the fork because any
shock they take through the wheel should be transmitted through both sides.

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/

 

[Steven M. O'Neill]

NYC XYZ <[email protected]> wrote:
>I'm not being obstinate at all -- I'm only interpreting the words
>"bicycle" and "marketplace" more broadly than you are. I didn't think
>the newsgroup was only an online classifieds section, and frankly I'm
>still not convinced that it actually is.

Here's the (alleged) charter:

======================Begin Quoted Message==============================
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.marketplace
Path: sparky!uunet!stanford.edu!CSD-NewsHost.Stanford.EDU!news
From: [email protected] (Les Earnest)
Subject: Welcome to rec.bicycles.marketplace
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
Sender: [email protected]
Organization: Computer Science Department, Stanford University
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 1992 05:19:39 GMT
Lines: 15

I'm pleased to see that this group is alive and well.
Here, in case you don't remember, is the charter.

rec.bicycles.marketplace: Bicycles, components, ancillary equipment and
services wanted or for sale, reviews of such things, places to buy
them, and evaluations of these sources. Not for discussion of general
engineering, maintenance, or repair -- see rec.bicycles.tech.

Note that postings of articles on things for sale or wanted should
generally not be cross-posted to other rec.bicycles.* groups.

--
Les Earnest Phone: 415 941-3984
Internet: [email protected] USMail: 12769 Dianne Drive
UUCP: . . . decwrl!cs.Stanford.edu!Les Los Altos Hills, CA 94022
========================End Quoted Message==============================
--
Steven O'Neill [email protected]
Brooklyn, NY

 

[G.T.]

NYC XYZ wrote:
> Gooserider wrote:
>
>>
>>Yes, you should either be selling something or looking to buy something to
>>initiate a thread in a marketplace newsgroup. Why did you crosspost to
>>it---because it mentioned bicycle in the ng name? You're being obstinate.
>>You know you're wrong.
>
>
>
> I'm not being obstinate at all -- I'm only interpreting the words
> "bicycle" and "marketplace" more broadly than you are. I didn't think
> the newsgroup was only an online classifieds section, and frankly I'm
> still not convinced that it actually is.
>
> It may be the common practice that 99.99% of all posts are of the
> "classifieds" variety but I don't see how that makes the other .01%
> like mine totally off-topic or beyond the pale.
>

It is off-topic and beyond the pale. You're an obnoxious twit.

Greg

--
"All my time I spent in heaven
Revelries of dance and wine
Waking to the sound of laughter
Up I'd rise and kiss the sky" - The Mekons