Fast Uphill Fun

[MrSteve]

This afternoon I took a modern carbon-fibre framed road bike out for a short spin around the block.

It was this model, equipped with this gruppo:
SRAM Rival, I think.

The acceleration was immediate.

What made me smile was how quickly, how smartly this feather-light machine, with me on it, can climb
the little hills on my road.

There was a passive radar trap on one of the shorter, steeper, compound hills.
You know, the trailer that the Sheriff leaves on the side of the road, that shows you
your speed.

My normal speed up this hill is about 10 to 12 miles per hour, on my Sofrider.

Riding this bike, my speed was 16 miles per hour... and I had a lot left,
so, shifting gears and ramping up my effort, this bike sped quickly up
to 18 miles per hour... before I passed the radar trap.

This must be what it's like to ride a Vendetta uphill!

What a machine; I am impressed.

But, sadly, not for me.
It was just not very comfortable and, from experience,
I can only ride these things for about fifteen minutes, before the pain drives me
off.
You see, I set it up for me on my trainer before taking it out for a spin,
so, sadly, I know that these Wunderbikes are not for me.

I'm pretty sure that a lightweight carbon-framed Vendetta is in Cruzbikes' future.
That's just a hunch.

-Steve

 

[ak-tux]

I believe a carbon framed

I believe a carbon framed Vendetta or Silvio 2.0 would be lovely, but the cost of production may be so high that only a select few will afford it.

It probably may be easier to do it in parts like what the Silvio is currently. Start with the seat and chain stays in carbon. Then probably a carbon boom and BB and lastly the main frame. This way the costs can be managed as the product sells is progressive versions. 2.2, 2.3 e.t.c.

My 2 cents..

 

[counterpoint]

weight savings add up

If you go with a frame set you can plan your parts with an eye on weight and it will add up to substantial savings.
Eg. I got an 11-36T cassettte from Taiwan: 180g vs 450g Shimano. Handlebars: 180g carbon vs 460g. Carbon wheels 1450 g set. You get the picture. In the end I've shaved off a kilo - and got better components. Some used, most Ebay.

But here's another plan: When I had to justify the purchase of a previous recumbent I promised myself to lose as much weight myself as the difference between my previous bike and the new one. That even convinced my wife

 

[MrSteve]

Composites Are Easy

And one of these beautiful machines will make me a fine bike, this Winter.

The little test-ride around the block told me everything
I needed to know about the ride quality of an unsuspended
composite frame riding on high-pressure tyres mounted on 700c wheels:
-superb.



When Spring comes around, my new C.F. F.W.D. M.B.B. recumbent
will be rolling.

I'll post a photo of the finished machine, for sure, and post the inevitable
glowing ride reports.

I agree with you, Mr. Ak-Tux!
?That's why I built my own boats, paddles and accessories.
-Because I could never afford to purchase custom work!

-Steve

 

[Charles.Plager]

Here's a very interesting 3D

Here's a very interesting 3D printed carbon fiber jointed bike. (You print braces to hold the tubes in place when using carbon fiber to make the joints - kinda cool).

Something like this may be a lot cheaper and a lot more accessible to a lot of people.

And Steve, I can't wait to see what you have.

 

[John Dorlon]

I don't think giving the V a

I don't think giving the V a carbon frame would make it much lighter. When my Vendetta came in the mail last summer, I was amazed how light the frame pieces were. The components, wheels, bags, and whatever else we put on our bikes are the heavy parts.

 

[counterpoint]

agreed, the weight is not in the frame

As John said, the weight is in some of the other parts. There's nothing to be saved on the seat either going to full carbon fiber.
And for rotating weight: consider going with tubulars wheels and tires. Substantial savings where it counts most. Easy to mount if you use Tufo tape instead of glue.

 

[Jeremy S]

I too was really impressed

I too was really impressed with how light the Silvio 2.0 frame tube felt, out of the box. Only the suspension fork felt heavy.

 

[Charles.Plager]

Given the quoted weights of

Given the quoted weights of both the Silvio and the Vendetta, I'm inclined to agree that a full carbon version won't me much lighter.

That being said, doing the home build of a CF Silvio/Vendetta clone may be a way for those of us without the cash burning a hole in our wallets to get a similar bike.

 

[MrSteve]

The Myth of Light-Weight Bikes

Having a light-weight bike is fun!
It's easy to push around and when you dismount, tired and sweaty from
working out, it's easier to lift.

My experience with my Sofrider has taught me that weight does
not make too much difference, at all... especially for daily rides.
I've hauled loads back from shopping trips up steep hills back the way
I came, with no difference in speed.

When trip lengths and/or altitude gains ramp up, then weight differences
will -ahem- weigh in more.

No, in my experience, what matters most is energy transfer, from the pedal
strokes to the road.
A stiff triangle between the pedals and the road is critical for maximum efficiency.

The lighter bicycle will only hold a slight advantage over a long distance, everything
else being equal.

What's the big deal about carbon fiber as a structural material?
It's strong, it's comfortable, it's light, it sells well, it's in vogue and it is easy to repair.

Carbon fiber appeals to me because it's easy for me to work with and
it is comfortable.
My little test rides around the block have proven to me how comfortable
a carbon composite frame really is, in the real world, for me.

With a carbon composite frame, there is no need for any power-robbing suspension.
That means, a stiffer triangle which yields more efficiency and speed with comfort.

Light weight is merely a pleasant byproduct!

This lightweight D.F. bike is quicker uphill because its drive train is a solid triangle.
My heavyweight Sofrider is a tick slower up hill, due to its suspension,
but is faster overall due to:
-my familiarity with its layout and
-the Sofriders' aerodynamic advantage.

Both bikes -the aluminum-framed suspended Sofrider and the C.F. D.F.- deliver about the same comfort.

So, my reasoning behind this project:
- efficiency;
-comfort;
-ease of repair;
-coolness/exclusivity/one-of-a-kindness and bling.

...The light weight is a nice bonus.

-Steve

 

[Vargas]

Pictures PLEASE!!!

Pictures PLEASE!!!
More pictures PLEASE!!!
Lots of pictures PLEASE!!!

 

[MrSteve]

Funny Update

Working with toxic chemicals indoors is not something I want to do....

Why even mention it then?

Well, the electricity is off in the attached garage, our arts/crafts/work area.
Specifically, the hot lead is short to the neutral lead.

How's that even happen?

Well, squirrels scamper between the roof and the garage ceiling.
Squirrels are rodents.
Rodents must gnaw stuff to keep their incisors manageably short.
The wiring that serves the overhead lights is not clad in conduit...
the wiring was up to code thirty years ago.

My theory is that the squirrels have gnawed the wire, creating a short.

Until I fix the wiring in the garage, nothing will be done in the garage that must be done in the garage!

So... no bike project related updates for a while, since,
-1.) I'm afraid of electricity and work very c-a-r-e-f-u-l-l-y and
-2.) these are the shortest days of the year, which means very limited natural light.

-Steve

 

[John Tolhurst]

Chewing on the rubber is good

Chewing on the rubber is good for the gums.

 

[MrSteve]

Healthy-Gummed Skwirllz

The lights are back on in the garage
and the tools I needed to finish un-building the D.F. just arrived today.

Our wild, healthy-gummed sqwirllzes still scamper about inside the roof,
probably still gnawing on old wiring, keeping our dogs entertained!

For a young thread, this one got old in a hurry.
It's a year old already!

Happy New Year!




-Steve