| Author |
 Topic Search  Topic Options
|
Shiner 
Visitor (occasional)
Joined: 03 April 2011
Location: Clitheroe, Lanc
Status: Offline
Points: 47
|
 Topic: New to this
Posted: 03 April 2011 at 1:56pm |
Hi, Im Paul from Clitheroe Lancashire.
Im new to all this and would like to get into a bit of racing etc...
I do a bit of normal.. cycling.. And take my disabled friend to Handcycle meets in my van alot..
But looking at your machines, I think Its time I got myself a new toy.. a Recumbent racer of somekind. Firstly, Where can I buy one, or do I build one? If so.. Is this the place to get all the help I need?
Im not the best mechanic in the world.. But thanks to a keen stepfather Im fully 'tooled up'
Im looking to make, build, buy a low down two wheeled rucumbent racer..
Any help would be brilliant thanks..
Look forward to meeting a few of you at Preston / Lancaster
Paul
|
|
Stranger things have happened!
|
 |
tosgh
BHPC Member
Joined: 20 July 2007
Location: worthing
Status: Offline
Points: 508
|
Posted: 03 April 2011 at 2:38pm |
Hi Paul,
some people have a crack at making a recumbent from the start but before going down that route you really need to try out different configurations first. Come to one of our race meets near you or get in touch with one of our local reps and try as many as you can first to see which ones suit you best.
|
|
weight is everything
|
|
Shiner
Visitor (occasional)
Joined: 03 April 2011
Location: Clitheroe, Lanc
Status: Offline
Points: 47
|
Posted: 03 April 2011 at 2:40pm |
|
Thanks! Whos my local Rep and how do I contact them?
|
|
Stranger things have happened!
|
|
AlanGoodman
Admin Group
Club Chairman
Joined: 04 March 2005
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 8036
|
Posted: 03 April 2011 at 2:58pm |
I don't think there is a rep in that part of the country at the moment unfortunately... 
I'd agree with tosgh... Have a go on as many as you can...
Have you ridden any recumbents at all yet??
You might find it better/easier to start with something a little higher and more upright, especially if you are going to ride it on the road as well as the track...
Hillingdon (our first event) is a very long way from you but the next two (Darley Moor and Stourport) are a bit nearer and might well be worth the trip...
|
|
|
|
Shiner
Visitor (occasional)
Joined: 03 April 2011
Location: Clitheroe, Lanc
Status: Offline
Points: 47
|
Posted: 03 April 2011 at 3:17pm |
|
Yes of course! Ill try and make it... I was looking to build something more of the track really, and as far as ever being on a Recumbent goes.. Ive only been on an aray of 3 wheeler hand cycles...
|
|
Stranger things have happened!
|
|
AlanGoodman
Admin Group
Club Chairman
Joined: 04 March 2005
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 8036
|
Posted: 03 April 2011 at 3:20pm |
|
Definitely need to see what you feel comfortable on then... Any of our events will give you a good chance to see a wide range of weird and wonderful(???) machines...
|
|
|
|
Shiner
Visitor (occasional)
Joined: 03 April 2011
Location: Clitheroe, Lanc
Status: Offline
Points: 47
|
Posted: 03 April 2011 at 3:35pm |
|
Brilliant.. I think im more for building my own now.. as they can be very expencive 'off the shelf' good job we have a carbon fibre expert in the family.. But your right, Ill come try a few out first!
|
|
Stranger things have happened!
|
|
GeoffBird
BHPC Member
Joined: 20 September 2005
Status: Offline
Points: 2396
|
Posted: 03 April 2011 at 7:49pm |
|
Hi Paul of Clitheroe. You can sometimes pick up a second-hand low-racer at a good price, but, with the number out there being so small, the chances of something suitable for you coming along at the right time is correspondingly small.
I'd always encourage people to build their own - there is nothing more satisfying than powering along on a machine you have designed and built yourself, especially if it turns out to be faster than the shiny cabonfibre TT bikes in your local bike shop! It can also be frustrating if you go about it the wrong way or underestimate the task.
This is THE place to come for advice on building your own bike - there is a lot of experience of this in the club - so, please ask as many questions as you wish. The club magazine also has lots of articles on building bikes.
Using composites like carbonfibre can actually be the easiest way to build a one-off, as you don't have to deal with weld distortion - the enemy of the homebuilder wanting a good-handling bike. Having said this, all my bikes have had steel frames.
Tell us what you have in mind and we should be able to help you to avoid the pitfalls.
Edited by GeoffBird - 03 April 2011 at 7:52pm
|
|
Right Time - Right Place - Wrong Speed
|
|
Shiner
Visitor (occasional)
Joined: 03 April 2011
Location: Clitheroe, Lanc
Status: Offline
Points: 47
|
Posted: 03 April 2011 at 10:04pm |
Well, I was going to make one 'at first' from steel.. on a tight budget from all the junk bikes and bits ive got all over the workshop!!
I have seen a few on facebook like this..
|
|
Stranger things have happened!
|
|
GeoffBird
BHPC Member
Joined: 20 September 2005
Status: Offline
Points: 2396
|
Posted: 03 April 2011 at 11:04pm |
Well, I'd urge that you to make some sort of jig, to hold the bits in the right place, even if it's just made of wood. And try to weld symmetrically - not all one side and then the other, or it'll go banana-shaped  And I'd plan something out on paper first, to get everything in the right place.
|
|
Right Time - Right Place - Wrong Speed
|
|
New to this