LarryOz
Cruzeum Curator & Sigma Wrangler
Merry Christmas everyone!
Look what I found under my tree for Christmas!!!
Just kidding of course - my Christmas tree isn't nearly big enough for this fleet.
I had asked for a new "motor" for Christmas, and I looked and looked, but I just could not find one with less miles.
So, I am keeping my existing "motor" (maybe I'll try to add a turbo this year).
Instead, I will have to console myself with playing and testing with this interesting variety of recumbents.
Front right to left:
No, these did not all magically show up at once. I have been acquiring them for several months now.
(As a side note: the 4 Morciglio's came to me in the span of a month - a pretty incredible sequence of events - I will post a separate story for that later)
My goal was to gather what I thought may be the fast recumbents: both FWD-MBB and rear drive, and to run them each through sets of standardized tests to see how they stack up.
2 of the beautiful MBB's are on loan: Thanks to:
Thom Ollinger for the loan of the Elegant Solution (ES), and
Ken O (woodenfixie was original fabricator) for his "custom" CF FWD-MBB lowracer (currently un-named)
Yes, I know there are "many" other recumbents out there, but I am pretty much out of funds to purchase anymore. (So, feel free to ship me yours to play with if you would like me to add it to my "testing" set!
Also:
I would love to get my hands on a really aggressive TT bike to test against all these bents, so currently looking for something like that to possibly "borrow"
Below is the Testing protocol that I have put together so far:
Setup and configuration:
Testing Scenarios:
Notes:
All test scenarios will be done under no-to-low wind conditions
Each scenario will be done with all bikes so atmospheric conditions are as close to the same as possible
I am welcome to other ideas for any of the above, but obviously will not be changing anything once I start.
Merry Christmas again everyone and happy and safe riding.
Larry
p.s. I hope this doesn't mean I get kicked off of the Cruzbike forum...
I still do have a Cruzbike so I'm hoping......
Look what I found under my tree for Christmas!!!
Just kidding of course - my Christmas tree isn't nearly big enough for this fleet.
I had asked for a new "motor" for Christmas, and I looked and looked, but I just could not find one with less miles.
So, I am keeping my existing "motor" (maybe I'll try to add a turbo this year).Instead, I will have to console myself with playing and testing with this interesting variety of recumbents.
Front right to left:
- Ken Stolpmann's custom CF - FWD-MBB lowracer (on loan from Ken O)
- Morciglio M1 lowracer (#6) - CF
- Morciglio Arrowhead - CF (was John's M's personal)
- M5 Mid-racer Chromoly
- Cruzbike V20 - Alum FWS-MBB
- Thom Ollinger's Alum - EL (Elegant Solution - Alum FWD-MBB (on loan from Thom O)
- Morciglio CF Hammerhead (1 of 2 made) - CF FWD-MBB
- Morciglio Apache (#1) - CF
- Specialized Crosstrail - My lonely upright to remind me why I ride recumbents now.
No, these did not all magically show up at once. I have been acquiring them for several months now.
(As a side note: the 4 Morciglio's came to me in the span of a month - a pretty incredible sequence of events - I will post a separate story for that later)
My goal was to gather what I thought may be the fast recumbents: both FWD-MBB and rear drive, and to run them each through sets of standardized tests to see how they stack up.
2 of the beautiful MBB's are on loan: Thanks to:
Thom Ollinger for the loan of the Elegant Solution (ES), and
Ken O (woodenfixie was original fabricator) for his "custom" CF FWD-MBB lowracer (currently un-named)
Yes, I know there are "many" other recumbents out there, but I am pretty much out of funds to purchase anymore. (So, feel free to ship me yours to play with if you would like me to add it to my "testing" set!
Also:
I would love to get my hands on a really aggressive TT bike to test against all these bents, so currently looking for something like that to possibly "borrow"
Below is the Testing protocol that I have put together so far:
Setup and configuration:
- Fit myself to each bike as well as possible for maximum: ergonomic, comfort, and aero, advantage.
- Using as similar wheels as possible (Tri-spoke CF - 700's, Zipp 404 - 650's, and covered 406 (for front wheel on M1, and Ken) depending on what is used on each bike
- Only 1 set of 700 and 650 wheels will be used and switched to whichever bike is being tested.
- Tires: G4000 SII (700 & 650), Ultremo for 640
- tubes: All latex (650 & 406 sizes custom made from existing 700's)
- Same 11 speed cassette on all bikes
- Same Di2 system all all bikes (I have 2nd's of most Di2 components, but will swap out the same shifters and derailleurs to each bike when tested.
- Same cranks
- Same chain or chains (depending on length) - all chains are waxed.
- Same clothing, helmet, gloves, etc.
Testing Scenarios:
- Roll-down testing on a low-medium grade
- Roll-down testing on a med-high grade.
- Climbing testing on the identical low-medium grade used for the roll-down.
- Climbing testing on the identical medium-high grade used for the roll-down.
- Speed/Wattage/Cadence testing on closed loop track.
- 100 watts for a specific distance or time (thinking 3-5 miles or 7-10 minutes range)
- 150 watts for a specific distance or time (thinking 3-5 miles or 7-10 minutes range)
- 200 watts for a specific distance or time (thinking 3-5 miles or 7-10 minutes range)
- 250 watts for a specific distance or time (thinking 3-5 miles or 7-10 minutes range)
- 300 watts for a specific distance or time (thinking 3-5 miles or 7-10 minutes range)
Notes:
All test scenarios will be done under no-to-low wind conditions
Each scenario will be done with all bikes so atmospheric conditions are as close to the same as possible
I am welcome to other ideas for any of the above, but obviously will not be changing anything once I start.
Merry Christmas again everyone and happy and safe riding.
Larry
p.s. I hope this doesn't mean I get kicked off of the Cruzbike forum...
I still do have a Cruzbike so I'm hoping......
