Frito Bandito
Zen MBB Master
Yeah, I now know that transitioning from an easier recumbent bike to ride to a V20 increases life expectancy, but I decided that I don't have time for a transition nor was there anyone around me to lend me their bike for me to test before buying. So, I just jumped straight into the deep end.
Without watching the build video, I got the bike together, sans brakes and cabling, and took it outside where there is a road with a very slight decline right in front of my house. I got the boom almost short enough, and the wheels on, sat down with both feet on the ground and gave myself a little push, keeping my back upright I coasted all of 47cm before almost turning/tilting/leaning into a brick cement wall and slamming both feet hard enough into the ground and letting out a girlish "AAAAAAH!" loud enough for all of the Japanese people in the park to look my way. I didn't even have my helmet on to hide my embarrassment and someone needs to tell them that staring is rude.
Wanting to get out of view as quick as possible I quickly straightened the bike out and started Flintstoning, which almost induced a hamstring cramp in both legs. I made it about 10 meters that time, with both legs sticking out in front of me because there was no way in hell I was gonna try to get my feet on the pedals. My brakes were mountain bike shoes on asphalt.
Straighten the bike out again, more Flintstoning and wobbling so much that I felt the way a newborn giraffe looks when learning to walk. Coasting to the end of the road while sitting upright on a V20 made me wonder when I would be able to ride without looking like an IceCapades skater.
Push the bike back up to the start point and wait until after midnight so there are less people (witnesses.) I get a few more trips down that one degree slope and trying to lean all the way back, which I did for a few seconds tops, but still needed time to get my balance on it.
This morning I get the brakes and drivetrain strung up but still need adjusting. Feeling motivated I take a few more trips down the slope, getting better. Then I take it out for a proper spin, not just coasting. The first few attempts with putting power onto the pedals had me screaming again, but at least this time I was far from the park.
Now, I am pedaling but still wobbling when I do that, but can keep it pretty straight when coasting. My brain still needs time to figure out how to steer it, either by leaning or with pulling on the bars. I make a few laps around a small, 1.5km loop which has small inclines and declines, and I practice going around imperfections in the road.
I put on a 700x25 Schwalbe Pro One on the rear and I'll try to get the gears and brakes working properly tomorrow morning. After a little more fitting I will see if I can get it out onto my bike path where it is open and clear for around 50km or so.
I love it so far, and see a ton of potential in it.
Without watching the build video, I got the bike together, sans brakes and cabling, and took it outside where there is a road with a very slight decline right in front of my house. I got the boom almost short enough, and the wheels on, sat down with both feet on the ground and gave myself a little push, keeping my back upright I coasted all of 47cm before almost turning/tilting/leaning into a brick cement wall and slamming both feet hard enough into the ground and letting out a girlish "AAAAAAH!" loud enough for all of the Japanese people in the park to look my way. I didn't even have my helmet on to hide my embarrassment and someone needs to tell them that staring is rude.
Wanting to get out of view as quick as possible I quickly straightened the bike out and started Flintstoning, which almost induced a hamstring cramp in both legs. I made it about 10 meters that time, with both legs sticking out in front of me because there was no way in hell I was gonna try to get my feet on the pedals. My brakes were mountain bike shoes on asphalt.
Straighten the bike out again, more Flintstoning and wobbling so much that I felt the way a newborn giraffe looks when learning to walk. Coasting to the end of the road while sitting upright on a V20 made me wonder when I would be able to ride without looking like an IceCapades skater.
Push the bike back up to the start point and wait until after midnight so there are less people (witnesses.) I get a few more trips down that one degree slope and trying to lean all the way back, which I did for a few seconds tops, but still needed time to get my balance on it.
This morning I get the brakes and drivetrain strung up but still need adjusting. Feeling motivated I take a few more trips down the slope, getting better. Then I take it out for a proper spin, not just coasting. The first few attempts with putting power onto the pedals had me screaming again, but at least this time I was far from the park.
Now, I am pedaling but still wobbling when I do that, but can keep it pretty straight when coasting. My brain still needs time to figure out how to steer it, either by leaning or with pulling on the bars. I make a few laps around a small, 1.5km loop which has small inclines and declines, and I practice going around imperfections in the road.
I put on a 700x25 Schwalbe Pro One on the rear and I'll try to get the gears and brakes working properly tomorrow morning. After a little more fitting I will see if I can get it out onto my bike path where it is open and clear for around 50km or so.
I love it so far, and see a ton of potential in it.
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