How to make your Vendetta as fast as possible

[Frito Bandito]

I bought a Platypus Convertube which is essentially a long straw with a bite-down nozzle so I can drink directly from my water bottle without having to remove the water bottle from the cage. When not needed I simply run it through the headrest bars where it stays without getting hung up in the spokes. When it is needed, it runs from the bottle, through a gap in teh head rest bars and lays across my chest. I could probably run it through my helmet chin strap but when it is lying on my chest I can't even tell it is there. It comes with 3 tops, 1 of which fits a standard drink bottle, and has a retractable straw that is long enough to reach the bottom of the bottle. The other two tops will allow you to connect it to a standard water bottle, or 1 of those aluminum ones hikers use. When summer comes and I need two 750ml bottles, I will rig up something that will allow me to drink from both without having to swap lids between 2 bottles. 1 thing about it though, when it is lying on your chest, you can sit up a little but it feels a bit like a leash, sitting all the way up might cause it to slip off and hopefully just drag on the ground instead of getting caught in the rear wheel spokes. In the 1st pic you can see it woven through the head rest bars. In the 2nd, you just get on the bike and lay it across your chest. I am not sure which is more aerodynamic, bottles behind the head or under the seat, but I just like the way it looks under the seat.
Also, no one can wait until you to reach your hands up to grab the bottle out of the cage, take a drink and then replace the bottle in the cage while they speed away

 

[Tor Hovland]

The only tubeless valves I could find that are long enough (110 mm).

https://www.ebay.com/itm/152798660354

 

[Frito Bandito]

Nice find Tor. I did a quick search for tubes with +80mm stems but came up short. The 80mm stems I currently have will work with my 80mm Bullet rim on the rear, but only 1 of the pumps I have can actually inflate the tube. I do carry a C02 cartridge and nozzle that I THINK will work, but I will find out for sure once I get a flat outside hahaha.

 

[3bs]

them is some perrty long asz stems. makes da bike faster just lookin at em.

 

[Mathew Fy]

Also in 110mm
https://store.hedcycling.com/tubeless-valve-stems/

 

[Bill Wightman]

What is the consensus on disc vs rim brakes as far as aero?

I installed the last generation Tri Rig Omega rim brakes and am happy but they have gotten very expensive lately. The rear brake installation takes some innovation as the cable does not route easily. Cannot imagine that disc brakes can be any faster against these because the disc assembly adds frontal area and form drag to both wheels and these Omega brakes do not and they actually smooth the flow over the front fork and crown. Small and pricey drag reduction over stock brakes. But I love doing 28 mph at 225 watts when the DFs are pushing 300 watts. Especially since I cannot sustain 300 watts for very long.

 

[Frito Bandito]

Also in 110mm
https://store.hedcycling.com/tubeless-valve-stems/

I wish I could find out how dependable Campagnolo Bullets would be with tubeless tires. It looks like they attempted to make a 2-way rim, but couldn't get the tubeless tires to stay on.

 

[Scott_A]

I am curious about the fastest wheels for the V20. A disc wheel in the back would always be faster correct?

Does anyone have experience with something like an 80-90 depth wheel on the front? Does the choice of the front wheel depend on the wind conditions?

 

[TransAm]

A disc in the back is faster, especially if there is a crosswind. But a disc will be rougher riding then a cross-laced wheel, which is especially problematic on a recumbent because the bumps go to to your head and neck. So a solid disc is probably going to be a race-only thing, and a disc cover could be a better all around wheel.

The problem I'm having finding a deep front wheel is getting something wide enough. Front flats are a safety problem, so wider is better. But aero wheels tend to be narrower.

 

[Mathew Fy]

Does the choice of the front wheel depend on the wind conditions?

The aerodynamic wheels definitely reduce drag in low cross wind conditions. As the side winds increase the advantage drops off and you’re likely to be blown around. Dangerous, especially for a new ‘bent rider. Cruzbike did some wind tunnel testing. I found it interesting they showed having the disc wheel up front had higher wind resistance when yaw angle was 7.5* (vs. 60mm Boyd).

https://cruzbike.com/blogs/blog/cruzbike-at-the-a2-wind-tunnel

I switched to Enve AR 4.5 wheels (49mm deep, 31mm wide) and had a clear improvement in speed. Downside is limitations of tire compatibility.

 

[Scott_A]

Thanks, fellows.

 

[paco1961]

I have found on the V 40 up front and 60 rear to be the sweet spot for me for a balance of speed and handling. 60 up front starts to get dicey on windy days.

Currently running Hope RD40 front and Light Bicycle 58 rear. Hope makes a fantastic wheel at a reasonable price. Super easy to service. I can replace all the drive hub bearings in under 5 min. Easy tubeless set up

Hope’s 20five alloy wheel set is an amazing value. Riding those on my S40 w 38mm Challenge Gravel Grinders. Indestructible.

 

[LarryOz]

I ride a full disc on the back of my V20 all the time. Usually 80 in the front. This works for well for me even if pretty windy.
Full disc on the front is hard to handle with gusty winds or on roads with big trucks. Full disc on the back gives more stability I think. Never really noticed a stability problem with it.

 

[Scott_A]

Thanks Larry.

I ride a full disc on the back of my V20 all the time. Usually 80 in the front. This works for well for me even if pretty windy.
Full disc on the front is hard to handle with gusty winds or on roads with big trucks. Full disc on the back gives more stability I think. Never really noticed a stability problem with it.

 

[3bs]

i ride the disc in back about 50% of the time. it has no adverse effect on handling that i have been able to discern. my disc wheel is a hand me down from larry, so it probably makes me a lot faster.... however, i notice that other cyclists (that don't know you) treat you differently with a disc wheel, sometimes with disdain, like i am some wannabee racerboy. little do they know i am just an old derelict with lung problems riding mostly cast offs, hand me downs, and parts bin playthings. this year i am going to do a paint job on it. something wild to really cause more confusion and disdain. i think the disc wheel causes more scorn than frankentrike.

 

[Scott_A]

Ha! I have to say though if we really cared what other people thought we wouldn't be on recumbents.

i ride the disc in back about 50% of the time. it has no adverse effect on handling that i have been able to discern. my disc wheel is a hand me down from larry, so it probably makes me a lot faster.... however, i notice that other cyclists (that don't know you) treat you differently with a disc wheel, sometimes with disdain, like i am some wannabee racerboy. little do they know i am just an old derelict with lung problems riding mostly cast offs, hand me downs, and parts bin playthings. this year i am going to do a paint job on it. something wild to really cause more confusion and disdain. i think the disc wheel causes more scorn than frankentrike.

 

[Frito Bandito]

I like your thinking 3bs. I was thinking of painting my disc once I get it done in the old 50's style spinning pinwheel spiral thingy that Hollywood used in the movies to imply someone was either getting hypnotized or drugged. You know, the one with the wonky music. That way when I pass them they get confused for a couple of more seconds and give me a little more of a head start before they try to latch on and get a free pull.

Or, I saw this blue and green sheet of material at the hobby store that could be glued on. The color and reflective qualities remind me of fish scales hitting the sun just right. If it were smooth instead of a rough texture then that one could have found its way onto the rear disc. As a matter of fact it still could if I am bored enough

 

[3bs]

yeah. i have not spent much time in my life worrying about what other people think. although when we go out to dinner, i do ask my wife if there is something she wants me to wear. this is actually just to save me time. it avoids her saying.. "you're going to wear that?" and me changing clothes anyways....

several of the guys and gals i ride with are serious riders, and they have zero disdain for me or my bikes trikes and stuff. they know me, so they know i could barely care, and they know most of my stuff is pretty fast even if i am not, and some of that may be because i fix their bikes and rescue them when they are too far from anywhere and have a second flat for the day.

some of that is because they find me to be a good source of comic relief. like when we are in a pace line trying to tear stuff up (they are so accustomed to bents they actually pace line with me on anything i am riding casey on his v20) and when we pass another group i ring my bicycle bell. but our group is pretty nutty. we even have guys who do work calls while riding.

 

[Frito Bandito]

That sounds like fun. I hear that if you buy 1 of those rubber chickens and rip the head off, you can use the squawker as a horn by putting it in your mouth. If you blow on it very hard it sounds like a chipmunk sneezing into a trumpet. Or so they say.

 

[DocS]

That sounds like fun. I hear that if you buy 1 of those rubber chickens and rip the head off, you can use the squawker as a horn by putting it in your mouth. If you blow on it very hard it sounds like a chipmunk sneezing into a trumpet. Or so they say.

It works... I connected one to an old kids bicycle horn and mounted it to my Catrike 700.. People on the trail I was riding were startled at first, then laughed...

Blessings,
Rudy