yangmusa
Member
I'm getting more miles on the bike now - 40-50/week just from commuting, plus some longer weekend rides. Starting to feel pretty confident on the bike, and getting a feel for what works for me, what I want to change. I don't know what to do about rack and suspension - hoping your accumulated experience will have some good ideas!
Racks
I've tried the Axiom Flip-Flop DLX seatpost rack. I chose it because the platform can be moved back and forth - this allows me to place the panniers right behind the seat (instead of way out behind the rear axle, like the Topeak MTX). It seems sturdy and reasonably well made, but doesn't sit high enough - the rear tire keeps hitting the rack on bumps.
Any other racks I should try? I would prefer a seatpost rack so it comes off quickly. Failing that I may fit an unsuspended rack to the swingarm, though I'd prefer not to.
Suspension
Is it just me, or is the Sofrider suspension really... soft? I've set preload to the max already. It doesn't bottom out, but still hits my seatpost rack or Radical Aero bag. I'm not that heavy either, 90kg/200 lbs. I looked at getting a stiffer spring, but the existing spring is 850 lbs and readily available springs for mountain bikes appear to be 400-600 lbs. The suspension design looks similar, can it really be all that different? [On the plus side, the suspension is very comfortable and with the front wheel drive there's no perceptible pedal bob! I do notice the back of the bike squatting down when I accelerate, but that's just physic for you.. no escaping that]
Misc. solved problems
In order to go touring, I'll need lower gears. (It seems to me that most recumbent manufacturer supply their bikes with too high gearing. Two out of the three 'bents I had previously also had way too high gearing). I'll probably use a mountain double (39-24), as I should be able to get a range around 20"-80" with that. (Might also swap default cluster for an 11-34, which would increase the range from high teens to mid-80s). I just don't think I'll use the big ring enough to justify it, and the bike will shift better with a smaller biggest ring.
I bought a Ventisit pad and it's awesome. Close to mesh seat comfort! In fairness the standard seat pad is much cooler than I'd expected, better than the other hardshell seats I've had. Most people would probably be happy with the stock cushion, but I run hot and overheat easily.
Racks
I've tried the Axiom Flip-Flop DLX seatpost rack. I chose it because the platform can be moved back and forth - this allows me to place the panniers right behind the seat (instead of way out behind the rear axle, like the Topeak MTX). It seems sturdy and reasonably well made, but doesn't sit high enough - the rear tire keeps hitting the rack on bumps.
Any other racks I should try? I would prefer a seatpost rack so it comes off quickly. Failing that I may fit an unsuspended rack to the swingarm, though I'd prefer not to.
Suspension
Is it just me, or is the Sofrider suspension really... soft? I've set preload to the max already. It doesn't bottom out, but still hits my seatpost rack or Radical Aero bag. I'm not that heavy either, 90kg/200 lbs. I looked at getting a stiffer spring, but the existing spring is 850 lbs and readily available springs for mountain bikes appear to be 400-600 lbs. The suspension design looks similar, can it really be all that different? [On the plus side, the suspension is very comfortable and with the front wheel drive there's no perceptible pedal bob! I do notice the back of the bike squatting down when I accelerate, but that's just physic for you.. no escaping that]
Misc. solved problems
In order to go touring, I'll need lower gears. (It seems to me that most recumbent manufacturer supply their bikes with too high gearing. Two out of the three 'bents I had previously also had way too high gearing). I'll probably use a mountain double (39-24), as I should be able to get a range around 20"-80" with that. (Might also swap default cluster for an 11-34, which would increase the range from high teens to mid-80s). I just don't think I'll use the big ring enough to justify it, and the bike will shift better with a smaller biggest ring.
I bought a Ventisit pad and it's awesome. Close to mesh seat comfort! In fairness the standard seat pad is much cooler than I'd expected, better than the other hardshell seats I've had. Most people would probably be happy with the stock cushion, but I run hot and overheat easily.
