Back in 1934, recumbent bikes were banned from competitive racing, essentially because it was considered that they gave an unfair advantage in respect of aerodynamics.
Suffice to say they were fast, and as technology evolves are becoming ever faster still. Couple that speed with a sensation of flying on your back just a foot or two above the road, and it's an exhilarating ride. Brighton E-bikes were recently delighted to be invited to update a Linear LWB recumbent from the late 1980s, into a modernised, motorised, refreshed version. Requiring a little more planning and time in the workshop than usual, the Linear was upgraded to Shimano XT 9 speed transmission with a new Tiagra hub in a Mavic Open Sport 700C rear wheel. A Bafang BBS01B 36V 250W crank-drive motor was fitted, along with a Samsung cell 36V 11.6Ah battery. The addition of a 42 tooth Lekkie Bling Ring, and the gearing is a perfect balance of speed and climbing ability. It's quite a machine, and certainly one to consider for some long distance touring. #moresmilepermile
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Having always ridden 26" wheel bikes off-road, I have been a little dismissive of and resistant to the recent 29er movement, I don't feel it suits the style of riding I enjoy. 650B definately has it's attractions, so I built up a new off-road bike around a Ritchey Timberwolf 650B frame with some BOS Deville 140mm forks. To say that I am impressed with the ride would be an undrstatement. After only a few miles I stopped noticing the slightly larger wheels; the bike felt very natural to ride, and comfortable at speed! Here's what Ritchey say about the frame. "Few can claim to have played a bigger hand in the evolution of the mountain bike than Tom Ritchey. And he's still at it.The original Timberwolf debuted in 1984 as Tom's answer to the growing demand for a mountain bike that could handle more of anything. Reborn 30 years later, the Timberwolf is a hardtail incarnation of an all-mountain trail bike that can shred anything you throw at it. Designed around 650b wheels, the Timberwolf is agile and fluid whether bushwacking the mountainside or carving single track. It's the bike we can't stop riding". Even with the addition of the BBS01B motor and 11.6Ah of Samsung cells, it just slides under the 20kg mark at 19.8Kg. I've only had a few rides so perhaps too early to decide, but the overall package built around 650B wheelset feels pretty good so far. #moresmilepermile |
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