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Setting your Cat Eye odometer for “normal” sized recumbent wheels

A common front wheel tire size for SWB 20×26 recumbents — a 20″ wheel with a 1.5″ tire — is often missing from the Cat Eye cycle computer tire size chart, making it a bit of trouble to set up an odometer.  (A 20″ wheel with a 1.5″ tire gets a setting of 1490 mm, by the way.  A 20″x1.35″ tire has a “rollout” — a setting — of 1460.)

Since bent riders frequently mess around with “odd” size wheels, the following tire size chart from the Cat Eye knowledge base is helpful. (Go straight to the downloadable PDF “Tire Size Chart.” The last time I looked, the link to the graphical table was missing.)
http://knowledgebase.cateye.com/questions/66/Where+can+I+find+a+tire+size+chart%3F

Actually, while I’m at it, the short knowledge base index is worth a link.  Many common problems answered. Also provides a procedure for measuring “tire roll out” so you may callibrate your computer to your tire.
http://knowledgebase.cateye.com/categories/Cycle+Computers/

Best,
Robert
————
Robert Matson
New York City Recumbent Supply (TM)
The Innovation Works, Inc.
copyright 2010 Robert Matson

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‘city recumbent’ by jean davignon – ‘seoul cycle design’ competition shortlist revealed



Nice idea.


http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/8/view/11438/city-recumbent-by-jean-davignon-seoul-cycle-design-competition-shortlist-revealed.html

Best,
Robert
————
Robert Matson
New York City Recumbent Supply (TM)
The Innovation Works, Inc.
copyright 2010 Robert Matson

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HP Velotechnik, Gekko fx

The Gekko fx is HP Velotechnik’s new folding, non-suspended trike.  As of the time of writing, I have very little information about it, except that it’ll be available as either electric or pedaled and the pedal version looks to be priced slightly lower than their other models.

Update, written later. Gekko is priced a good deal lower than other models. Cool thing is, to lower the price, they did NOT lower the quality of the frame. Instead, they left off the full shocks, which saves money in engineering and production compared to the complexity of their full-featured systems. And they KEPT — and even improved — the fast fold.  So this is fantastic for city riders.  And quite a smart move by HPV because we can still get very good shock absorption by using Schwalbe’s Big Apple tires.

Second update.  It arrived.  See my 2/24/11 blog entry.  I have two words for those of you rockin’ in the three-wheeled-world: “Friggin’ awesome.”



Third update, a year or two later.  I see I was not clear about something here.  The design and production is HP Velotechnik’s usual high quality.  However, the Gekko’s basic components are one or two steps lower than the basic components of the Scorpion line.  Also, the US model is made in China, not in Germany.  That’s okay.  It gives riders a lower cost entry into an HP Velotechnik.  It’s a wise move from HPV since some riders will feel the basic components are good enough for their purposes.  Also, riders may prefer to ride the basic set for a while and then pick and choose which components to upgrade.  For example, a rider may prefer to upgrade the drivetrain, but leave the Avid BB5s disk brakes alone.  Riders with more advanced requirements can easily spec a Gekko with the same components found on the Scorpions.  About half the Gekkos I sell are specced with the same components as a Scorpion, or higher.  And this year, so far, half of the Gekkos have been customized with the 81-speed system and I do have to say it’s an incredibly nice kit that delivers a lot of performance for the dollar.

An English translation of the press release here:
http://www.recumbentjournal.com/news/gear/item/181-gekko-fx-gets-e-assist-weight-and-price.html

The famous video, here:

Looks like another winner.

Best,
Robert
————
Robert Matson
New York City Recumbent Supply (TM)
The Innovation Works, Inc.
copyright 2010 Robert Matson

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HP Velotechnik: videos

It’s far too easy to simply post other people’s videos, but it’s also far too tempting, especially when they are this good.

HP Velotechnik’s Videos on You Tube….

Best,
Robert
————
Robert Matson
New York City Recumbent Supply (TM)
The Innovation Works, Inc.
copyright 2010 Robert Matson

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Big news from HP Velotechnik / Greenspeed arrives

In less than 24 hours HP Velotechnik is going to unveil their latest machine.  I’m very impressed.  I can’t say anything more.  Once again, HPV leads the pack.

And the first Greenspeed GT3 trike arrived today.  Nice paint job, beautiful seat.  I plan to build it this evening and take it around the park tomorrow morning.

Update, written later: The Greenspeed GT3 turned out to be a fantastic ride.  I really liked it.  Very tight turning radius — it seemed even tighter than the spec says — and with a low center of gravity you can take the turns at good speed.  Then, with the stiff, steel un-suspended frame, you actually get a ride that’s almost like a BMX bike in the way it responds to bumps.  Frankly, I was very impressed with the ride quality especially considering the price.  For trike riders on a budget, you really must not overlook the GT1, which is basically the same as the GT3, but with more basic components.

The GS is also a really cool look, with the bright yellow (almost high-viz) seat and red frame (nice paint too).  I’m not sure if people know that the GT3 actually uses 16 7/8 (Brompton-sized) wheels instead of 20″ wheels (like HPV).  This is quite smart of Greenspeed.  Their stock tires are a custom Greenspeed brand of grippy slick (and they’re good).  But riders have access to all those tires (and wheels and rims) that are available for the popular Brompton, like Schwalbe Marathons and others.  The small wheel size also enables a smaller fold!  Pretty clever.  I like it.

So, what’s the difference bet. HPV and GS?  The main difference I noticed was at high speed, like when I crossed 25 mph or so.  All HPVs have this ride quality where you don’t really notice the speed in your body or hands.  (Same as when you drive a BMW.)  It’s only from your streaming eyes that you know you’re going incredibly fast.  The GS transmits a bit more “thrill” at high speed and you start to wonder if the smart rider really shouldn’t throttle back a bit (which he or she may or may not do at this point).

The way I might translate this for a customer is that the 20 mph and below — and lightweight — crowd may be content with the GS.  The 20mph and above — and heavyweight — crowd should really be looking at HPVs.  Note that the GS GT0 is another story, made specially for heavier riders.  Don’t overlook it.  Another big difference is seat height.  The GS is lower to the ground than the HPV; lower center of gravity, better stability and traction on the ground, but lower head height in traffic.  HPV brings back the stability and traction into the Scorpions with advanced engineering (and at a price).  So, what do you like?

HPV’s new Gecko is priced very close to the GT3, so trike riders are liberated to choose based on performance, style, personal preferences and what fits them the best, and not so much due to price considerations.  Great developments all around.

Best,
Robert
————
Robert Matson
New York City Recumbent Supply (TM)
The Innovation Works, Inc.
copyright 2010 Robert Matson

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Bicycle trailers comparison chart – new

Newly found: this bike trailer comparison chart.

http://www.atob.org.uk/trailer_price_tag.html

Best,
Robert
————
Robert Matson
New York City Recumbent Supply (TM)
The Innovation Works, Inc.
copyright 2010 Robert Matson

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Metro-North disallows recumbents

(Note: A few months later, MTA reversed its position on this. See the Summer Newsletter entry.)

This stinks.

Just now, a friend brought it to my attention that the MTA’s “Bike Permit Regulations” website now specifically names recumbents as “not permitted.” This must have been updated in the last two months.

It seems possible, however, that folding and split-apart bents, like the HP Velotechnik Grasshopper fx, Volaes with ES frames, and bents with SS couplings may still be permitted, but I’d put them in a closed carrying bag if only to avoid encouraging further restrictions. My guess would be that dirty chains and chain rings have upset some transit officials, but that’s just a guess. (E-ml me individually if you need info. about carrying bags sized for the Grasshopper fx and the Scorpions fs/fx.)

See:
http://www.mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/bikerule.htm

Also see:
http://www.mta.info/lirr/about/Bicycles/#FoldingBikePolicy#FoldingBikePolicy

I assume I’m not alone in believing it would be worthwhile to work with the MTA to reconsider, at least to allow short wheelbase bents with covered chains and chain rings.

I’ll spearhead this. Is there anyone on the list with professional negotiation skills who could volunteer to join me in this effort? Write me.

Best,
Robert

————
Robert Matson
New York City Recumbent Supply (TM)
The Innovation Works, Inc.
copyright 2010 Robert Matson

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Statewide and regional bike route information from New York State. Some of it new.

It appears that New York State has updated its bike route information.  I’ve long known about the three main state-wide bike routes (5, 9 and 17) but I hadn’t before seen this interactive map listing regional routes.  Looks like progress to me.

Best,
Robert
————
Robert Matson
New York City Recumbent Supply (TM)
The Innovation Works, Inc.
copyright 2010 Robert Matson

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Another thing more important than bents: Public Libraries.

For those who value knowledge and the power of combined resources, please be aware that New York City’s Public Libraries are facing extraordinary budget cuts, to the point that branches are going to close, for certain.

Write your council person TODAY.  (Note: if you don’t have a personal favorite among the branches, please consider throwing your support behind the Hudson Park branch. It has a particularly fine staff, a wonderful children’s library, and it has hosted three or four exhibitions of my art work, along with the work of hundreds of other artists.)

http://dontclosethebook.nypl.org/

Best,
Robert
————
Robert Matson
New York City Recumbent Supply (TM)
The Innovation Works, Inc.
copyright 2010 Robert Matson

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Bikeland, not gasland.

Sometimes bikes are not the most important thing.  Clean air is more important.  And clean water.

Oppose natural gas exploration and natural gas drilling in the watershed for New York City (and everywhere else).  Learn more about natural gas mining and fracking.

And see the movie Gasland.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127593937

Best,
Robert
————
Robert Matson
New York City Recumbent Supply (TM)
The Innovation Works, Inc.
copyright 2010 Robert Matson