Look what I found under my tree for Christmas....

[LarryOz]

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:

• 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

Back right to left

• 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......

 

[LMT]

Wow, that really is an exclusive collection of bikes you have there.

A few things:-

Are you measuring the power at the wheel and pedals or both? Would be good to see if there really is power lost and how much with a RWD. All things being equal I'd have thought the lightest bike with the lowest Cda would be the quickest across all three tests, but it'll be interesting to see what results arise and the disparity between the different formats.

You might (and I say this with a wee bit of apprehension) post this over on BROL, or at least PM some of the folks on there who know about this type of thing. Having said that I don't doubt that you know what you are doing and you may have done this already.

How long before you are finished and can post the results?

And good luck.

EDIT: Just seen this over on BROL, it'll be interesting to see what some folks have to say and pray that it does not descend into another FWD-MBB bashing fest...

 

[JOSEPHWEISSERT]

Awesome!

 

[Charles.Plager]

Totally awesome!

Merry Cruzmas to you and yours.

 

[Robert O]

I'd offer to help you out, but I'm about 3000 miles out of town from you... very cool, Larry!

 

[MrSteve]

Your Christmas tree must have been huge.

 

[bladderhead]

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!

You want US to send bikes to YOU?

 

[Bentas]

Beautiful quiver of bikes Larry, will be really interesting to see comparisons, we will all benefit from your obsession.
P.s. Remember tie downs when transporting .

 

[trplay]

Lordy,Lordy--Larry,Larry, what have you got your self into? It'll take a half day just to load up all the bikes to transport to the secret training facility. This means it will take another half day to load them back up to take them home. My math says that means the day is gone. When you gonna test them? I would much prefer to see your time spent racing the Vendetta and making the BROL boys cry foul over the results. Hope you fast guys and gals will be ready for Sebring. They'll be lots of competition this year. (oh, throw a CA2 in the mix if you can )

 

[LarryOz]

You want US to send bikes to YOU?

Of course

 

[Apollo]

I would much prefer to see your time spent racing the Vendetta and making the BROL boys cry foul over the results.)

So do I, but I'm also dying to find out which bikes turn out to be the fastest in that eclectic ensemble and their idiosyncrasies. Besides, if it was you or I in Larry's place, could we find the courage to resist the temptation to race a bike we discovered was fastest out of the bunch? I'm rooting for the V but there is some very fast competition in that group. Go Cruzbike!

 

[ratz]

Seems to be one test missing.

find a Hill that is generally sheltered from the wind and about ½ mile at 4-6%. Then TT up the hill on the bikes. I suspect 3 runs per bike should suffice. 9x3=27 days to complete.

 

[bladderhead]

It'll take a half day just to load up all the bikes to transport to the secret training facility.

I do not want to be driving behind Larry when they all take off

 

[1happyreader]

The truth behind Larry's trailer building fetish has been revealed !!
It was only the first step in a larger plot to amass large amounts of bikes and large amounts of ride data.
Later,,, bye

 

[snilard]

Nice collection. But I see only few stock bikes, others are homebuilds what cannot be purchaused. There is horde of stock bikes what is considered fast. M5 CHR and lowracer, Bacchetta CA2, Zockra highracer, Optima Baron and High Baron, Encore Schlitter, Troytec, Lightning P-38 and some other what I have forgotten.

 

[Robert Holler]

Nice collection. I would estimate that the Cruzbike there is the easiest to ride ands also one of the only ones regular people have access to.

It should be noted that Troytec is out of the recumbent game.

The others listed that are production bikes IMHO do not hold up.

 

[snilard]

It should be noted that Troytec is out of the recumbent game.

Ok, that's true. If my memory is good Mathis Konig holds record for 100 miles on loop on Troytec highracer.

I have forgotten MetaBike Metaphysics and maybe Slyvay.

Vendetta has one big advantage compared with other highraces. People with short legs like me can ride her. On other highracers, especially on Dutch ones, I have collision of front wheel with crank.

 

[jond]

hi larry how are the tests going????? i wont take snow for an answer. or a busted shoulder

 

[LarryOz]

i wont take snow for an answer. or a busted shoulder

haha Jon - but that's all I got!! Really hoping to do some testing on the track down here in Florida with my Arrowhead and Vendetta this weekend. The rest will have to wait until Spring I think!
p.s Got your email and will reply soon.

 

[jond]

no problems mate. every now and then i have to take a look at your lawn locker picture and reassure myself 7 bikes is not enough