Special RAAM Vendetta reveal

[LarryOz]

If you looked at Jim and Maria's post on FB from Memorial Day, you would have already caught a glimpse of it with Maria riding it.
Here is the one that I have built up.
It still needs the Boyd wheels on it, but here it is!



she is a real beauty!!!!

I finally was able to take it for its maiden voyage today, as my final "long training ride" before RAAM.
What a "fast machine"! Even with my "old" Pro Ones, with tubes in them, I am able to ride this baby at 25mph on just over 170 watts! 26.7mph on 205 watts!
I attribute my speed increase to:

• the new headrest holding my head up "higher" but my face and helmet more directly forward into the wind, so wind does not catch under my face shield.
• The race case off the back, and,
• The Moose pack under the seat

In the end: I'm still just an "old man on a fast bike" - now a "faster bike"

Here are 2 of my rides from today:
sub 4 hour Century: https://www.strava.com/activities/1019316265/overview

cool down: https://www.strava.com/activities/1019555015

Can't wait for RAAM - and Kansas with a "tailwind"!
2 weeks from today we'll be "Racing Across America"!!!!

 

[trapdoor2]

Very cool, Larry. I like how the brake levers align better with the airflow.
Now you gotta start shavin' those legs!!

 

[Apollo]

That is one of the nicest Vendettas I've ever seen. Is the paint scheme custom or will it be the new color for the V20 frameset?

 

[super slim]

The Vendetta LOOKS best dressed in Yellow, as that is her colours, when Maria won the RAAM in 2013 beating females of all age groups !

Larry, how will you handle the WIDE bars???
Will you shorten them, AND add some bar tape to them?
Are the cranks 140 mm long?

 

[Rampa]

There shall be no wagering!

"beating", me thinks.

 

[super slim]

Where did the idea of betting come from?????

 

[DavidCH]

I noticed it has the new chainstays of the S40 on it. Way cool. I wonder if the seat is down at 18 degrees?

I can't wait to get my new front boom assembly next week as my brother is coming over.

Brilliant always love that color & its even got Sram Rival cranks.
"RoadRunner III "

Those handlebars will save your bacon too. I found that when I used brifters it's all too easy to keep pulling on the bars.

 

[LMT]

Very nice and good luck to everyone (including what will be a very worked crew) in just over a week and a bit. I like the bike with it's paint job and the numbers, makes me want to look into getting a a rear disk wheel.

 

[Apollo]

I noticed it has the new chainstays of the S40 on it. Way cool. I wonder if the seat is down at 18 degrees?

Could it be lowered? The frame appears to be the standard V20 in yellow paint with the S40 chainstays. If Larry wants it lower he can always use the special dropouts Jim used at Sebring.

 

[LarryOz]

Larry, how will you handle the WIDE bars???
Will you shorten them, AND add some bar tape to them?
Are the cranks 140 mm long?

It is strange riding with the large (wide) bars - but safety is a concern and the leverage will be nice for mountain climbing
Yes - will probably cut off the bottom few inches and wrap them.
I am riding with 155 cranks right now - mostly to take advantage of a little more leverage when we are climbing severe grades.

Yes - Road Runner III is born!

Per Jim these 4 special RAAM bikes where special ordered to be painted the exact color as the original "yellow" - I think they forgot to add the yellow pigment to the Gold - So now we have "Gold" Vendettas. Mistake or not - they are beautiful - and the Gold and Black really go well together!
I have no idea if Cruzbike will make any more of these or not. I have heard no plans either way.

 

[LarryOz]

If Larry wants it lower he can always use the special dropouts Jim used at Sebring.

I have experimented with Jim's dropouts - I was lower, but not really much faster. I think too much wind comes up under the helmet and visor
It was surprising to me that I was faster with my head up higher ad straighter into the wind with the new headrest. Aerodynamics are tricky (especially the faster you get) and sometimes you just get lucky and find something that works. It is either that, or spend about $50K in a windtunnel trying everything under the sun!

 

[Charles.Plager]

Aerodynamics are tricky (especially the faster you get) and sometimes you just get lucky and find something that works. It is either that, or spend about $50K in a windtunnel trying everything under the sun!

Find a big hill and do repeated roll down testing pedaling backwards. (Seriously.)

 

[LarryOz]

Find a big hill and do repeated roll down testing pedaling backwards. (Seriously.)

Yes this the other "cheaper" way, but takes a bunch of time, no other cars and similar wind conditions for the test.
I've done this quite a bit, and it is incredible how low it takes to run the passes, even if you have someone driving you back and forth.
Plus it has been my experience that it is practically impossible to not be affected by other cars going the other way.
Only other problem with the "big" hill , is that you have to get back up to the top. (Maybe a toe-rope or something!)

 

[Charles.Plager]

Yes this the other "cheaper" way, but takes a bunch of time, no other cars and similar wind conditions for the test.
I've done this quite a bit, and it is incredible how low it takes to run the passes, even if you have someone driving you back and forth.
Plus it has been my experience that it is practically impossible to not be affected by other cars going the other way.
Only other problem with the "big" hill , is that you have to get back up to the top. (Maybe a toe-rope or something!)

That's why you want to do several runs for each configuration.

Of course, that doesn't help on either the takes time or have to get to the top of the hill problem.

 

[super slim]

It is strange riding with the large (wide) bars - but safety is a concern and the leverage will be nice for mountain climbing
Yes - will probably cut off the bottom few inches and wrap them.
I am riding with 155 cranks right now - mostly to take advantage of a little more leverage when we are climbing severe grades.

Yes - Road Runner III is born!

Per Jim these 4 special RAAM bikes where special ordered to be painted the exact color as the original "yellow" - I think they forgot to add the yellow pigment to the Gold - So now we have "Gold" Vendettas. Mistake or not - they are beautiful - and the Gold and Black really go well together!
I have no idea if Cruzbike will make any more of these or not. I have head no plans either way.

Are there going to be any spare bikes with each persons setup, and are they going to be mounted on the roof horizontally so carports, etc don't take them out, in case of another rear end accident?

OR will the spare bikes go inside Ratz's HUGE van?

Are the 4 Yellow/Gold Vs going to be sold, at auction to the highest bidders, after the RAAM with each having the "Magnificent Four" signatures on them?

Are there any other 4 rider recumbent teams racing in the RAAM?

 

[DavidCH]

Well if the record gets smashed which I expect it will ... why not go for a v100 special edition?

Where just 100 units are available for $6k.

Personally I think it might end up being the new V20

 

[LarryOz]

It all happened because I needed to get a front end alignement on my RAAM follow van.
Just thought I would take the Vendetta out of the stall and get a few easy recovery miles on the road.
Well - all I have to say is that it is a good thing that Ratz is my back-up.

Yes - I will write:
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside (100 times)!

 

[RojoRacing]

Was that a muffled Damn It! I heard? Beware of the mud, respect the mud :lol

Stay safe my friend, I don't want to get that call from the Parkers requesting a last minute rider substitute.

 

[RojoRacing]

I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside
I will not ride on the road any more until I get to Oceanside

 

[LarryOz]

Was that a muffled Damn It! I heard? Beware of the mud, respect the mud :lol

LOL!
There was nothing muffled about! Rather embarrassing to say the least. Oh well, I'm human - every once and awhile I can't hold it in.