T
Tom Sherman
Guest
TandemFan wrote:
[cross-posted to ARBR for Perry Butler's amusement]
> We have a R[ANS] Screamer tandem and there are a few idler rollers for
> the chain. An outfit sells toothed idlers for about $250:
> http://www.terracycle.com/Merchant2...oduct_Code=IdlRansScr&Category_Code=IdlersALL
>
> They have a long blurb on why they are better:
>
> http://www.terracycle.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=T&Category_Code=IdlersALL
>
> What's the scoop? Does it make any difference at all, or are we going
> to go faster?
>
Someone needs to tell Pat Franz that it is "RANS" and not "Rans".
While the manufacturers in question are trying to meet a price point for
their bicycles, they are not going to be putting junk chain idlers on
their bicycles [1]. Therefore, while there is room for improvement, the
gains will likely be small as drive-train friction is a small component
of total non-conservative losses, even on a recumbent with a complicated
chain-line.
If you want to make a RANS Screamer a lot faster than stock, put a front
fairing (Zzipper or Mueller) and a bodysock on the bike.
[1] Unlike some defunct manufacturers of the past.
--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
The weather is here, wish you were beautiful
[cross-posted to ARBR for Perry Butler's amusement]
> We have a R[ANS] Screamer tandem and there are a few idler rollers for
> the chain. An outfit sells toothed idlers for about $250:
> http://www.terracycle.com/Merchant2...oduct_Code=IdlRansScr&Category_Code=IdlersALL
>
> They have a long blurb on why they are better:
>
> http://www.terracycle.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=T&Category_Code=IdlersALL
>
> What's the scoop? Does it make any difference at all, or are we going
> to go faster?
>
Someone needs to tell Pat Franz that it is "RANS" and not "Rans".
While the manufacturers in question are trying to meet a price point for
their bicycles, they are not going to be putting junk chain idlers on
their bicycles [1]. Therefore, while there is room for improvement, the
gains will likely be small as drive-train friction is a small component
of total non-conservative losses, even on a recumbent with a complicated
chain-line.
If you want to make a RANS Screamer a lot faster than stock, put a front
fairing (Zzipper or Mueller) and a bodysock on the bike.
[1] Unlike some defunct manufacturers of the past.
--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
The weather is here, wish you were beautiful