Alan B
100 GW
Thanks for the encouragement.
I'm not planning on giving up on it.
Just trying to understand.
I'm not planning on giving up on it.
Just trying to understand.
Warren said:"Is the stability of the bikeE similar to other bents? Can I do anything to improve it?"
If you can handle the math. Bill Patterson did all the work, years ago. His work is spot on.
http://www.calpoly.edu/~wpatters/
http://bicycle.tudelft.nl/bmd2010/CDProceedingsBMD2010/papers/patterson2010application.pdf
My wife rides slow and gentle, it is perfect for her needs. However when I try to ride it - the front spins when starting at full throttle (even on a dry pavement). Otherwise handling is not affected.Alan B said:Nice, how does that front motor work out?
Alan B said:Weather has been bad, turned nice today so I took the BikeE out for a spin. 15 miles along the road by the lake. They call it Dam road.
Windy, but the BMC powers through it well. Makes about 20-24 mph up on the level and moderate uphills.
The bike doesn't feel totally stable to me, but it goes where I want it to.
kevo said:Alan, nice photo of the EbikeE and great weather for the crystal blue sky and Reservoir
I read that a good rider on a recumbent beat four probably better riders in a peleton. So perhaps a recumbent is comparable to the efficiency of a peleton.
Alan B said:Over this trip the BMX and Borg travelled a bit faster and more spirited, and the Tadpole and EbikeE a bit more lazy and smooth. On the downhills at low speed the EbikeE would go faster than the Tapole. At higher speeds the Tadpole would glide away from the EbikeE, so we could see rolling resistance (and cogging) vs air resistance in action.
At the end of the trip the watt hours per mile were about 15 for the EbikeE and Tadpole, and 25-30 for the BMX and Borg. Not a precise A-B comparison, but interesting nonetheless.
We also traded bikes a bit and Stevil, acuteaero and I got to experience the three uprights. Quite a difference and range of riding comfort and position. The BMX is small and harsh, even with the Thudbuster it is noticeable. A softer seat may help. The small wheels and short wheelbase is likely part of the cause.