... That is true, but when I tour for many hours a day for many days in succession, I like to be relaxed and enjoy the ride. I do not want to even have to think about the bike. With SWB, I am always having to think about the bike and how it handles with respect to the vagaries of the road, traffic and other riders. In other words I have to pay attention. That can really get exhausting after a couple of days. With LWB I can ignore most everything because I know I can depend on the bike to be forgiving of mistakes and inattention....
If one wishes to eliminate the requirement of paying close attention to road conditions, I suggest a trike with rear suspension and heavy duty tires (e.g. 53-406 Maxxis Hookworms). In my experience, such a combination will allow one to roll over almost anything without too much of a problem. Even the best handing LWB bicycle can dump the rider on loose or slippery surfaces.
Ed, I met I guy two years ago in SW Missouri that was heading across country on a RANS Rocket towing a BOB. He went coast to coast! But a Rocket is a very different bike than a high racer. From the dual 20s to the triangulated frame to the gearing....
The short stays/stiff rear triangle of the RANS Rocket makes it one of the better bikes for pulling a B.O.B. Some of the monotube bikes might lack sufficient lateral rigidity to prevent the frame from shimmying at higher speeds.
The stock gearing on the RANS Rocket is too high for loaded touring except for flat areas.
"Tom Sherman" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
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Edward Dolan said:
... That is true, but when I tour for many hours a day for many days in succession, I like to be relaxed and enjoy the ride. I do not want to
even
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have to think about the bike. With SWB, I am always having to think
about
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the bike and how it handles with respect to the vagaries of the road, traffic and other riders. In other words I have to pay attention. That
can
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really get exhausting after a couple of days. With LWB I can ignore most everything because I know I can depend on the bike to be forgiving of mistakes and inattention....
If one wishes to eliminate the requirement of paying close attention to road conditions, I suggest a trike with rear suspension and heavy duty tires (e.g. 53-406 Maxxis Hookworms). In my experience, such a combination will allow one to roll over almost anything without too much of a problem. Even the best handing LWB bicycle can dump the rider on loose or slippery surfaces.
I know there are a few cyclists who tour on trikes, but there are other problems that kick in with trikes on a tour, mostly having to do with sharing the road with motor vehicles. I do like my trikes, but mainly for riding around town where I know the roads like the back of my hand. You are quite right about LWB being slippery under certain conditions. It is mostly due to the lightly loaded front wheel. Which is why I have always maintained that all recumbents (the 2 wheel variety) have a stability problem which is worse than any upright. But I have found that I have to pay the most attention to the road when I am riding a SWB.
I've ridden a Strada about 1K miles and am aware of the "springiness" you speak of. It really doesn't impair the bike's handling, but I believe the Glideflex hinged stem clamp is probably the cause. It's possible to mount
a
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rigid stem clamp on the Strada and this would probably eliminate the springiness. Replacing the aluminum fork might also help.
Thanks for the response.
Yes, once under way, I didn't notice the springiness in the steering. Looking at the fork, stem, hinge and handle bar, I suspect the curved riser and hinge more than the fork... The bike handled very well and even low speed balance seemed natural.
I'd guess the steering system of the Volae models and Force 5 might not have the same amount of springy feel. Anyone care to comment on feel of steering on those bikes?
Very informative site... The cross country tourist that I mentioned really liked the Rocket for touring. He particularly liked the dual 20s (as he only needed to carry one size of tires/tubes). He also liked the fact that in a pinch he could get a replacement tire/tube in a Walmart if he had to. Makes me think that perhaps I would like a Tailwind for touring to get the benefit of a longer wheel base and still enjoy the practical benefits of dual 20s.... hmmm...
If you don't "hang" on the handlebars, ther is no spring at all.
"Jon Meinecke" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
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"TimH" <[email hidden]> wrote
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I've ridden a Strada about 1K miles and am aware of the "springiness"
you
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speak of. It really doesn't impair the bike's handling, but I believe
the
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
Glideflex hinged stem clamp is probably the cause. It's possible to
mount
Quoted message said:
a
Quoted message said:
rigid stem clamp on the Strada and this would probably eliminate the springiness. Replacing the aluminum fork might also help.
Thanks for the response.
Yes, once under way, I didn't notice the springiness in the steering. Looking at the fork, stem, hinge and handle bar, I suspect the curved riser and hinge more than the fork... The bike handled very well and even low speed balance seemed natural.
I'd guess the steering system of the Volae models and Force 5 might not have the same amount of springy feel. Anyone care to comment on feel of steering on those bikes?
If you don't "hang" on the handlebars, there is no spring at all.
I wouldn't describe my trial rides of the Strada as "hanging" from the handlebars. %^) But I know what you mean. Perhaps with more acclimation to the bike, the vertical input to the steering system would be reduced and the springy effect lessened.
At least some of the effect seemed to be "rotational" and not vertical, however.
