Silvio S 30 Thailand

[Emeljay]

Research is good, but experience is golden! If you enjoy bicycling then ride, ride, and then ride some more. Research is good, but when you ride you test that research, which helps in preparation for the ride, but the ride experience really is what teaches. And the ride is what is enjoyable!

 

[Emeljay]

Oh, and ride videos and pics of your ride are really good ways to share your joy!

 

[DavidCH]

Steve, you are on an incredible journey. It will be very interesting for everyone to read your story. Don't just put it on this forum... Translate it into Thai ... These bikes are brilliant at bringing back joy into life.

 

[Steve Rose]

rode 20.6 KM today, 8 laps around Lumpini Park in Bangkok. avg speed 27.6 kph, so big improvement. Getting more comfortable in the low and middle cassette gears. I can really feel the difference when pedaling in a gear where I think my cadence is around 40-50 and another where is 60+ to as fast as I can.
5 big trees were felled by an overnight storm and were being cut up as a looped around. Have to occasionally slow down when a large water monitor lizard walks across the bike path. Largest so far was 2 meters. They are miniature Komoto dragon cousins who look slow and stupid but actually have a wicked bite and are fast in the attack. The have eliminated all the water fowl in the park.
good day.

 

[super slim]

Steve, that is fantastic news!! An average of 27.6 kph is VERY good!

Was this increase in speed, to stop you becoming someone's dinner?

 

[Cruzbike Chris]

Steve that is way scarier then our random dogs here in Texas! sounds to me like you should start carrying a trusty BODYGUARD 380!

 

[LarryOz]

rode 20.6 KM today, 8 laps around Lumpini Park in Bangkok. avg speed 27.6 kph, so big improvement. Getting more comfortable in the low and middle cassette gears. I can really feel the difference when pedaling in a gear where I think my cadence is around 40-50 and another where is 60+ to as fast as I can.

Sounds great Steve - It looks like you have figured out the gearing and what was holding you back initially in the speed department.
As you begin to be more accustomed to the bike and the pedal steer you will soon be able to clip into your pedals. I dare say, this will increase your stability at least 2-fold. It is so much nicer to ride clipped in and you will never go back! Only downside is if you have to stop - (as track stands are almost impossible with recumbents due to the low center of gravity), but I try not to stop unless absolutely necessary! haha Clipping in will also let you pull back on the pedals and rest your quads as you ride. Next thing you can do it slowly practice spinning faster and faster. My knees winced when I read your pedaling at 40-50 rpm. That is hard on the knees unless you are going "super slow (<10mph). You need to practice spinning faster and faster without affecting the steering. The faster the rpm, the less force you are exerting with each revolution, which actually lessens the pedal steer eventually, but then the increase in rpm's may also require some upper body adjustment before you reprogram your muscles. I try and keep my normal cadence between 90-100 and even train in the 100-120 range. It is way easier on the knees. I'm looking forward to your progress updates!
Steve - looking at your picture - I am not sure you may quality as an "old man on a fast bike" - you need more grey hair I think - You will just have a to settle for a "young man on fast bike" for a while! Keep up the good work, have fun and be safe!

 

[Steve Rose]

Is it difficult with clip in shoes to unclip to stop in quick stop, to get a leg down to support the bike at rest?
My dream of pedal steer is still far away. If i let go with one hand from the steering while pedaling the bike wants to move quick to the side.
Maybe too much force going on each side due to effort verses a higher cadence with less force???

 

[Steve Rose]

I still can't get the water bottle out of the rear headrest without stopping, while moving I will tip over.

 

[ratz]

I still can't get the water bottle out of the rear headrest without stopping, while moving I will tip over.

for you mileage you sound like you are right on track; mostly because yo attached the open road. Nothing wrong with that; but should like the normal progression. Mrs Ratz couldn't pull the bottle until her 2nd year. Now she's blasting down the road drinking one handed. 1 day it just click for her; and the you aggressvie approach it'll come but that is one of the last things to come; pedal steer will be gone before that skill arrives.

 

[SamP]

I still can't get the water bottle out of the rear headrest without stopping, while moving I will tip over.

As you get more experience, your pedal stroke will get smoother and you will be able to ride one handed (and eventually, no handed for a while). You can work on your skills intentionally,see various threads on riding technique. The first few weeks I had to stop to get a water bottle out or put one back in from behind or I'd swerve, then later wobble very alarmingly, with only one hand on the handlebar. while reaching behind. Very quickly, I mounted a bottle cage on the front so I could drink without stopping. Now I have my bike computer mounted there.

 

[DavidCH]

Get a few 1000 miles on the clock... Get use to the clips. Do the water bottle act last. You have a Silvio and that has suspension. Something that I don't have. If I am traveling fast and I hit a bump the water bottles jettison.

It's all to do with stability. The way I learnt was little by little. It helps to get hold of something so make sure your bottle is big and cold. I have my bottle cage behind me and I can reach back now. Yank one out and put it back. It took me a lot of effort. The more you practice the easier it becomes. If you are not sure about things just drop the bottle.

You can always turn around and pick it up.

 

[super slim]

For us slightly older guys, going CLIPPED IN, has saved my knees, even when riding a butt killing DF MTB, as my cadence went from 50-60 up to 80-90 RPM!!!!

With each leg weighing approximately 10% of your total weight, so 7 to 12 kg weight which would require MINIMUM of 7 to 12 kg load on BOTH pedals at all times(360 degrees) to keep your feet on the pedals.

Pedaling at 80 rpm with a 7 kg load on each pedal for 180 degrees, produces 100 watts of power.

So for a 70 kg rider, the power required to keep your feet on the pedals, without cleats, is 200 watts!!! so to create 100 watts output, 300 w input is required!!!

I did not realize how hard it was to pedal without cleats, after 10 years of using them, until I rode 6 km to work one day requiring MANY stops in pedalling to give my legs a rest!

 

[DavidCH]

Emmmm when I go to visit my brother I never bring my bike and face pedals. I am consequently slower and he thinks he's champ. Funny Dream.

That is until he tries to follow me on the V
When I get clipped in, I am gone.

I was polishing it today. It was an amazing feeling. Love the yellow finish.

 

[ReklinedRider]

Is it difficult with clip in shoes to unclip to stop in quick stop, to get a leg down to support the bike at rest?

To echo and agree with others on the forum, Speedplay Frogs are VERY easy to unclip from, especially when reacting to an unexpected event. Yet, there is no tendency to experience an unintentional, unwanted unclip; they are very secure in use, very easy to get out of when desired.

 

[MrSteve]

You young pups and your "clip-ins."
Growing up using leather straps and toe clips, I think that my "Power Straps" are the bees knees.

 

[ReklinedRider]

Also being old enough to have used the leather straps and toe clips, if I still had some I'd offer them to you absolutely free

 

[Jeremy S]

When I had my Sofrider I must have subconsciously learned to point my toes forward to keep my feet on the platform pedals. I really don't think it takes much effort. I didn't notice what I was doing until I put clipless pedals on my Silvio and realized I didn't have to point my toes anymore -- but I still tend to.

 

[Steve Rose]

i rode 25 KM today and 23 yesterday. Starting to understand cadence. when I am at my fastest 92 rpm, but usually 60-70. Had some wind today and didn't get above 27 Kph, what an effect the wind can have on your bike speed. Starting to think about getting some clipping shoes. any recommendations from the tribe?

 

[ratz]

i rode 25 KM today and 23 yesterday. Starting to understand cadence. when I am at my fastest 92 rpm, but usually 60-70. Had some wind today and didn't get above 27 Kph, what an effect the wind can have on your bike speed. Starting to think about getting some clipping shoes. any recommendations from the tribe?

There a log of different shoe types and it can get daunting to get up to speed on them.

May people start with and stay with a Mountain Bike shoe because the cleat is recessed into the body of the shoe making them easier to walk in; and less likely to take damage from hard surfaces. Their are many types. SPD style are the cheapest; but can have a heavy spring in the pedal that needs to be loosened to protect your knees and to make it safer to unclip on a recumbent. Frogs are safer and better for you knees, but cost more and aren't something that everyone likes. There are others.

but that's not solid advice; IF you came over for dinner and said I need shoes and cleats what should I buy; and I want to be sure you'd be happy 95% of the time. I would tell you to get your shoes first; "Sidi Dominators" will fit any one with their massive size ranges; and can usually had online for a good price. Most online store will let you return and swap them if you get the size wrong. They have a world wide presence. To that I would tell you pair SpeedPlay Frog. In the US the two items would total out < $300 I have no idea what they'd be world wide. Frogs' are easy to sell on ebay if you don't like them. The Dominators will work with the other MTB cleat options.

If you were going to go racing; then the recommendations would be different.