Speedmachine - She's actually said yes! Opinions needed.

[Philo]

At last – the holder of the purse-strings has said yes to me
getting a Speedmachine (YIPEE), although on a very
restrained budget for extras. So the Rohloff and the SON
dynohub are out. I'm definitely going for the rack,
mudguards and stand.

Before I go back to see Ben at Kinetics, I'd appreciate any
views on the following options – are they worthwhile?

1) Upgrade Tektro mech. disc brakes to Magura Julie
hydraulic - £95 more

2) Upgrade drivetrain from Deore/Tiagra to XT/105 - £60 more

3) Airflow seat cushion - £50 (that's a lot of pennies for
a cushion)

4) Anything I've forgotten?

Thanks in advance

PhilO

 

[Dave Larrington]

PhilO wrote:

> 1) Upgrade Tektro mech. disc brakes to Magura Julie
> hydraulic - £95 more

Debatable. Personally I regard mechanical disc brakes as a
half-arsed Work of Stan, but experience with Julies on the
Baron did not fill me with confidence either. Can you
persuade SWMBO to let you fork out a tiny bit more (in
percentage terms) and get Hopes instead?

> 2) Upgrade drivetrain from Deore/Tiagra to XT/105 -
> £60 more

Mine has 105/XT, but it was built up from a frameset so has
a 105 chainset / BB as well.

> 3) Airflow seat cushion - £50 (that's a lot of pennies for
> a cushion)

Worth it, IMHO.

> 4) Anything I've forgotten?

The big grin comes as standard...

--

Dave Larrington - http://www.legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uk/
===========================================================
Editor - British Human Power Club Newsletter
http://www.bhpc.org.uk/
===========================================================

 

[Danny Colyer]

PhilO wrote:
> Before I go back to see Ben at Kinetics, I'd appreciate
> any views on the following options - are they worthwhile?
>
> 3) Airflow seat cushion - £50 (that's a lot of pennies for
> a cushion)

£50? That's gone up, it was £38 when I bought my Street
Machine 3 years ago.

I still maintain that this is the most valuable upgrade on
offer (except for the rack). During the winter and in the
rain the standard seat cushion is more comfortable, but in
the summer and autumn I find the airflow cushion very much
more comfy than the standard cushion.

--
Danny Colyer (the UK company has been laughed out of my reply address)
http://www.speedy5.freeserve.co.uk/danny/
Why I like OE6 - http://www.speedy5.freeserve.co.uk/danny/misc/oe6.html
"He who dares not offend cannot be honest." - Thomas Paine

 

[Peter Clinch]

PhilO wrote:

> Before I go back to see Ben at Kinetics, I'd appreciate
> any views on the following options =96 are they
> worthwhile?
>=20
> 1) Upgrade Tektro mech. disc brakes to Magura Julie
> hydraulic - =A395 more

I've never been that thrilled with the mech discs I've tried
out,=20 including on Ben's current Speedmachine demo, and
feel that if you're=20 going to town you should go all the
way (I reckon HS33 rim brakes are=20 better than the mech
discs I've tried, but they're not an option on the=20 SpM).
The previous one he had sported the Julies and they were
very=20 good on a short spin, but Dave and Guy have both
been underwhelmed by=20 them in the longer term and Roos has
been researching options for her=20 Fiero on a Dutch
Ligfiets mailing list, from which my impression is that =

the denizens thereof aren't exactly carried away with
enthusiasm for=20 them either. She's getting some Shimano
hydraulic ones which seem to=20 have a clean bill of health
from users. I've never heard anything but=20 (very) good
about the Hopes.

> 2) Upgrade drivetrain from Deore/Tiagra to XT/105 -
> =A360 more

My Streetmachine has the basic one, but I can see far more
point in=20 whizzier bits on the Speedmachine, 'cause it's a
whizzier bike!

> 3) Airflow seat cushion - =A350 (that's a lot of pennies
> for a cushion)=

But it is a very good cushion. I'm glad I have mine on the
StM, and if=20 I came into some more money and added a SpM
to the garage I'd certainly=20 get one.

> 4) Anything I've forgotten?

Which bars are you going for? After some test riding of
Ben's demos I=20 prefer the Aero bars (as on his current
demo bike) as I just find them=20 much easier to control
the bike with. The tiller bars are something I=20 can use
but I've never really got on with that much, but plenty
of=20 people do just fine with them and a definite plus is
you don't get a=20 handlebar mixing it with your view the
whole time.

Pete. --=20 Peter Clinch University of Dundee Tel 44 1382
660111 ext. 33637 Medical Physics, Ninewells Hospital Fax 44
1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net
[email protected] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

 

[Philo]

"Dave Larrington" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> PhilO wrote:
>
> > 1) Upgrade Tektro mech. disc brakes to Magura Julie
> > hydraulic - £95 more
>
> Debatable. Personally I regard mechanical disc brakes as a
> half-arsed Work of Stan, but experience with Julies on the
> Baron did not fill me with confidence either. Can you
> persuade SWMBO to let you fork out a tiny bit more (in
> percentage terms) and get Hopes instead?
>

Thanks. I've e-mailed Ben for a quote.

[Snip]

> > 3) Airflow seat cushion - £50 (that's a lot of pennies
> > for a cushion)
>
> Worth it, IMHO.
>

Who could argue with the combined wisdom of both you and
Danny - it's going on the list.

> > 4) Anything I've forgotten?
>
> The big grin comes as standard...

Oh yes, I'm smiling just thinking about it.

PhilO

 

[Philo]

Peter Clinch <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...

[Comments noted - thanks Pete]
>
> Which bars are you going for? After some test riding of
> Ben's demos I prefer the Aero bars (as on his current demo
> bike) as I just find them much easier to control the bike
> with. The tiller bars are something I can use but I've
> never really got on with that much, but plenty of people
> do just fine with them and a definite plus is you don't
> get a handlebar mixing it with your view the whole time.
>
> Pete.

I've only tried the aero bars and I'm planning to go for
them. I'm in Montrose and in the past 4 years I have only
once seen a bent here - that was on loan from a certain
somebody in Dundee to a colleague of mine (suitably
bearded). I hope to introduce recumbents to Montrose by
encouraging lots of people to try it out and the tiller bars
may discourage this. As soon as Ben said the aero bars were
supposed faster, the decision was made anyway.

Cheers PhilO

 

[Peter Clinch]

PhilO wrote:

> I've only tried the aero bars and I'm planning to go for
> them. I'm in Montrose and in the past 4 years I have only
> once seen a bent here - that was on loan from a certain
> somebody in Dundee to a colleague of mine (suitably
> bearded).

Spoke to Neil last week, and he said he was in serious
danger of bothering Ben with an order for a Grasshopper Real
Soon Now, so what with Roos' Fiero in the pipeline it seems
as if East Central Scotland is becoming a breeding ground
for the Dark Side! ;-)

> discourage this. As soon as Ben said the aero bars were
> supposed faster, the decision was made anyway.

I didn't like the tillers much anyway, but Roos referring to
them as "Begging Hamster bars" or something like that didn't
do anything for my further appreciation of them...

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch University of Dundee Tel 44 1382 660111 ext.
33637 Medical Physics, Ninewells Hospital Fax 44 1382 640177
Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net [email protected]
http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

 

[Roos Eisma]

[email protected] (PhilO) writes:

>Peter Clinch <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:<[email protected]>...

>I've only tried the aero bars and I'm planning to go for
>them. I'm in Montrose and in the past 4 years I have only
>once seen a bent here - that was on loan from a certain
>somebody in Dundee to a colleague of mine (suitably
>bearded). I hope to introduce recumbents to Montrose by
>encouraging lots of people to try it out and the tiller
>bars may discourage this. As soon as Ben said the aero bars
>were supposed faster, the decision was made anyway.

If that beardy person is Neil than rumour has it he recently
ordered a Grasshopper....

Roos

 

[Jon Senior]

While on the subject of recumbents, how easy are they to get
used to? I'd love to try one, but I don't want to turn up at
Kinetics and prang one by falling off before I've even
started. Is there anywhere near Edinburgh (Or alternatively,
in Cambridgeshire) where it's possible to hire one?

Jon

 

[Just Zis Guy]

Jon Senior wrote:

> While on the subject of recumbents, how easy are they to
> get used to?

No problem. Or impossible. Your experience may vary ;-)

> I'd love to try one, but I don't want to turn up at
> Kinetics and prang one by falling off before I've even
> started.

You won't be the first ;-)

--
Guy
===
May contain traces of irony. Contents liable to settle after
posting. http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk

88% of helmet statistics are made up, 65% of them at
Washington University

 

[Peter Clinch]

Jon Senior wrote:
> While on the subject of recumbents, how easy are they to
> get used to?

"It depends"... Some machines are easier than others and
some people take to them quicker than others.

> I'd love to try one, but I don't want to turn up at
> Kinetics and prang one by falling off before I've even
> started.

I wouldn't worry: Ben's quite used to getting folk started
with minimal experience, and the shop is in a good testing
place on a fairly quiet suburban road with a gentle hill so
you can start going down and get the hang of the balance
easily. There's a Kettweisel trike if you fancy starting on
3 wheels (though personally I find that harder than anything
else as you have to steer all the time on a trike...) and
the Spirit he has as a demo bike is especially easy to ride
as a starter IMHO (not

moving on to the Grasshopper, Speedmachine etc.). He's
quite happy for folk to turn up and play on the Toys and
will give a helping hand if needed, or leave you to your
own devices if not.

> Is there anywhere near Edinburgh (Or alternatively, in
> Cambridgeshire) where it's possible to hire one?

I'm not sure if D-Tek hire or not, but they have a fair
second hand stock (or so I believe) and are based
somewhere Cambridgewards. No web site, I'm afraid. Don't
know of anywhere round Embra. If you're around Dundee you
can have a go on mine, though obviously model selection is
rather limited!

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch University of Dundee Tel 44 1382 660111 ext.
33637 Medical Physics, Ninewells Hospital Fax 44 1382 640177
Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net [email protected]
http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

 

[Paul]

In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] says...
> If that beardy person is Neil than rumour has it he
> recently ordered a Grasshopper....
>
>
My name is not Neil, but the rest is true
--
.paul

If at first you don't succeed... Skydiving is probably not
the sport for you.

 

[Paul]

In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected]=20 says...
> I'm not sure if D-Tek hire or not, but they have a fair
> second hand=20 stock (or so I believe) and are based
> somewhere Cambridgewards. No web=
=20
> site, I'm afraid. Don't know of anywhere round Embra. If
> you're around=
=20
> Dundee you can have a go on mine, though obviously model
> selection is=20 rather limited!
>=20
> Pete.
>=20
My understanding is D-tek do a =A325 as much as you can ride
hire session.=
=20
You pay your =A325 and play to your hearts content. i'm lead
to believe=20 that you need to book though. Oh, and D-tek is
Ely way=20

D.TEK Mainstreet, Little Thetford Ely Cambridgeshire CB6 1BR
01353=20 648177=20
=20

--=20 .paul

If at first you don't succeed... Skydiving is probably not
the sport for you.

 

[Jon Senior]

Peter Clinch [email protected] opined the following...
> I wouldn't worry: Ben's quite used to getting folk started
> with minimal experience, and the shop is in a good testing
> place on a fairly quiet suburban road with a gentle hill
> so you can start going down and get the hang of the
> balance easily. There's a Kettweisel trike if you fancy
> starting on 3 wheels (though personally I find that harder
> than anything else as you have to steer all the time on a
> trike...) and the Spirit he has as a demo bike is
> especially easy to ride as a starter IMHO (not

> moving on to the Grasshopper, Speedmachine etc.). He's
> quite happy for folk to turn up and play on the Toys and
> will give a helping hand if needed, or leave you to your
> own devices if not.

Cool. One trip to Glasgow coming up!

> > Is there anywhere near Edinburgh (Or alternatively, in
> > Cambridgeshire) where it's possible to hire one?
>
> I'm not sure if D-Tek hire or not, but they have a fair
> second hand stock (or so I believe) and are based
> somewhere Cambridgewards. No web site, I'm afraid. Don't
> know of anywhere round Embra. If you're around Dundee you
> can have a go on mine, though obviously model selection is
> rather limited!

More likely to be in Cambridgeshire visiting my folks, so
D-Tek are also a possibility. If work (or riding) ever takes
me near Dundee, I'll be sure say hi!

Jon

 

[Philo]

[email protected] (PhilO) wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> At last ? the holder of the purse-strings has said yes to
> me getting a Speedmachine (YIPEE)

Well, I took a Speedmachine out for an extended run and
I love it.

Firstly, Ben at Kinetics is a very, very nice man. I had
planned to take the Speedmachine out for a Saturday
afternoon, but didn't make it there until 4pm. No problem
says Ben, bring it back Tuesday. When I explained I was
leaving on Monday, he said he'd come down and open the shop
for me if I named a time. What a very nice man.

Back to the Speedmachine. What a fantastic ride – so
comfortable and yet so fast and great through corners. It
beautiful to look at too. I must order one now. Not a bike
for the shy and retiring though. Since I was flying by too
fast to hear the comments, I'm not sure what they were
saying, but I certainly heard lots of "Cool bike"

Interesting reaction from cars too. I was approaching a long
line of parked cars on my side of the road, car coming
towards me is already passing the cars so I'll have to stop
thinks me. Not the case, the car flashes me, reverses back
up the road and lets me through! Another time, I signalled
to turn right into a side-road and car behind me thinks I'm
not far enough over and so blared his horn. I stopped where
I was (which left plenty of room), and this is where it gets
weird. Not only did he wind down his window and apologise, a
car going the other way stopped to tell him he was a
********! Very refreshing.

I'm going to get myself a Speedmachine..

PhilO

PS I don't know if many here read the Press and Journal,
but P**l S**th made the front page on Friday (it's a
shame I could find it on-line, because the photo is
great). It's a story about the public meeting in
Inverness that he organised. My favourite bit is "Only
10 people turned up."

 

[Philo]

[email protected] (PhilO) wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> At last ? the holder of the purse-strings has said yes to
> me getting a Speedmachine (YIPEE)

Well, I took a Speedmachine out for an extended run and
I love it.

Firstly, Ben at Kinetics is a very, very nice man. I had
planned to take the Speedmachine out for a Saturday
afternoon, but didn't make it there until 4pm. No problem
says Ben, bring it back Tuesday. When I explained I was
leaving on Monday, he said he'd come down and open the shop
for me if I named a time. What a very nice man.

Back to the Speedmachine. What a fantastic ride – so
comfortable and yet so fast and great through corners. It
beautiful to look at too. I must order one now. Not a bike
for the shy and retiring though. Since I was flying by too
fast to hear the comments, I'm not sure what they were
saying, but I certainly heard lots of "Cool bike"

Interesting reaction from cars too. I was approaching a long
line of parked cars on my side of the road, car coming
towards me is already passing the cars so I'll have to stop
thinks me. Not the case, the car flashes me, reverses back
up the road and lets me through! Another time, I signalled
to turn right into a side-road and car behind me thinks I'm
not far enough over and so blared his horn. I stopped where
I was (which left plenty of room), and this is where it gets
weird. Not only did he wind down his window and apologise, a
car going the other way stopped to tell him he was a
********! Very refreshing.

I'm going to get myself a Speedmachine..

PhilO

PS I don't know if many here read the Press and Journal,
but P**l S**th made the front page on Friday (it's a
shame I could find it on-line, because the photo is
great). It's a story about the public meeting in
Inverness that he organised. My favourite bit is "Only
10 people turned up."