My Very First Recumbent is a V20

[Frito Bandito]

Do you actually need physical therapy after the crash?
Or are you just making sure that any down time you have off the bike is spent training another way?

I don't think I need any physical therapy. The car was going fast enough to leave the shoe mark on the rear door, but since it was a glancing blow no bones were broken. It only feels wonky at the extreme limits of my ROM which aren't reached when I am pedaling.

As for training, since I have had my V20 I have improved in a few areas but max power is down. My highest was 780 exactly a year to the day before the accident, and I have hit +700 a few times recently so I want to get some of that power back. I don't really have a number in mind, I just want more so I need to get off my lazy butt. Also, my upper body needs it anyway lol. Not bulking up just keeping ROM and staying fit.

 

[3bs]

Always with your attention seeking behaviors lololol.

I have an old smith podium TT helmet that is great. Proper screening over the vents and good visors.

Seems like you need a modern era ambulance chaser attorney to get you a new bike and a few extra yen….

 

[Frito Bandito]

You are right 3bs. Crashing is not the way I'd suggest haha.

The smith podium TT does look like a nice helmet though. Screening over the vents would prevent the Japanese hornets from entering as well.

A local rider who got a new bike from an insurance payout recommended me playing my cards right to get a new bike, but I am not going to attempt it.

 

[Frito Bandito]

Just got my 12-speed Dura Ace 58t chainring from the Soudal Quick-Step team for my V20. This means I have to remove my front derailleur and see if or which gear it drops the chain when I downshift on the cassette. From March to early April there are always some very windy days going down river so this should drop my rpms to something a bit more manageable.

 

[Jeffers]

50-55 kph @ around 80 rpm
Does that sound about right?

 

[Frito Bandito]

Sounds about right but I didnt plug in the data for any gear calculator. On yesterdays ride I got up to 66kph on 121rpms at a max of 768 watts with the 54t crankset, and I was spinning out. Last year I got up to 72.6kph but I think it was 132rpms and the same crankset. I am too old to be spinning that fast lol.

 

[Frito Bandito]

Got the Dura Ace 58t chain ring on finally. It didn't come with the nuts so I had to order those separately. The FD stalk only handled up to the 54t chainring I have, so I removed the FD altogether since I am on the flats and almost never need the small chainring. Now it is basically a 1x, even though the rings are a 58/40t. I did a quick test ride and all seems to be working well, but I will go on a proper ride tomorrow to see if there are any hiccups.

 

[Jeffers]

Hopefully your chain will stay on without a guide.

I went to a single chainring a couple years ago and removed both the small ring and derailleur.
Worked great till I rode through a bumpy section that derailed the chain.
I reinstalled the derailleur without a cable, and used the limit screw to position it to use as a guide.

I've got a longer chain run than you, and your chain looks to have plenty of tension.
So you might be OK without a guide.

I used spacers to get rid of the second ring, and it gave the crank a little cleaner look.

 

[Frito Bandito]

Hopefully your chain will stay on without a guide.

I went to a single chainring a couple years ago and removed both the small ring and derailleur.
Worked great till I rode through a bumpy section that derailed the chain.
I reinstalled the derailleur without a cable, and used the limit screw to position it to use as a guide.

I've got a longer chain run than you, and your chain looks to have plenty of tension.
So you might be OK without a guide.

I used spacers to get rid of the second ring, and it gave the crank a little cleaner look.

That looks pretty nice Jeffers. When I jumped from a 53t to a 54t I added some links and it worked fine, but let's see if the 58t works with the 120 links it now has on it. I will likely take some extra chain, spare Quick Link and the chain tool along for the next few rides just in case. I ran it on Biggie/Big at about 200 watts for the test ride and it made a bit of noise then, but it shifted normally. Hopefully it won't jump off