Open university project
Printed From: BHPC Forum
Category: Archive (pre-February 2015)
Forum Name: The BHPC
Forum Description: Discussion about the club
URL: https://forum.bhpc.org.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=4273
Printed Date: 27 March 2026 at 4:34am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.07 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Open university project
Posted By: cranked forward jim
Subject: Open university project
Date Posted: 11 April 2011 at 11:12pm
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Hello to everyone, I hope someone can help with my university project by giving some idea as to the size of the recumbent market and in particular the semi-recumbent market in the U.K. (or where to find such information). I would be grateful for any information to be honest. I am interested in taking this on as a new hobby and have nearly finished my first attempt at making a semi-recumbent. I am experiencing difficulty in up-loading a photo perhaps it is because I am a new member. Shame about that. James. |
Replies:
Posted By: GeoffBird
Date Posted: 11 April 2011 at 11:59pm
Hi James. As an ex fellow OU student, I feel honour-bound to try to help.  I would think that the market for semi-recumbent bikes in the UK is tiny. I know our local bike shop had a Giant Revive that remained unsold for a long time. There seems to be a fairly healthy market for recumbent trikes though, but, apart from talking to the guy who runs Future Cycles recently, I am not close to the retail sharp-end. Anyone else? Everyone seems to want road bikes at the moment. Maybe worth talking to Stuart at Bikefix in London? ------------- Right Time - Right Place - Wrong Speed |
Posted By: AlanGoodman
Date Posted: 12 April 2011 at 8:12am
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Hi James,
I've sent a PM - If you email the pictures to me I'll post them for you.
Coming along to any BHPC race event (first one is at Hillingdon this coming Sunday) will give you a great chance to look at various machines and talk to the assembled ------------- |
Posted By: cranked forward jim
Date Posted: 13 April 2011 at 10:58pm
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Cheers Folks, I am very happy to agree with you about the UK market, it does seem to be tiny, although I still have to go through the exercise, find out how small it is and achieve some points for my course. The course is T307 with the open university and it is all about design and innovation, I have a project to complete and I chose to design a bolt on conversion kit which will turn an ordinary mountain bike into a crank forward semi-recumbent. The nearest thing to this is the RANS conversion kit to turn a mountain bike into a front wheel drive SWB recumbent. I have built a crude "feel and function" prototype, it rides very nicely and points the way to better designs as there are many options to be explored. I would like to visit your event at Hillingdon and possibly bring the prototype for your amusement.  I have ridden the prototype into work and it has caused quite a stir amongst my colleagues but to have your comment and reaction will help me with my project. Best regards, James. |
Posted By: AlanGoodman
Date Posted: 13 April 2011 at 11:02pm
If you're coming along anyway James, stick some numbers on it and take it round the track... A word of warning though - It is addictive... 
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Posted By: GeoffBird
Date Posted: 13 April 2011 at 11:09pm
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Would be great to see you and your bike at Hillingdon James
------------- Right Time - Right Place - Wrong Speed |
Posted By: cranked forward jim
Date Posted: 13 April 2011 at 11:13pm
Just looked at a Giant Revive, what a great looking bike for $700 so why didn't it sell? Perhaps the British public are too concerned with image to buy anything radical, peer pressure if you like. Does anyone here feel self concious when they take their recumbent onto the road? Initially I did but I soon got over it. James.
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Posted By: cranked forward jim
Date Posted: 13 April 2011 at 11:16pm
| I'll come in last, use a calendar to time me!!! |
Posted By: AlanGoodman
Date Posted: 13 April 2011 at 11:23pm
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Somebody has to be last... and I'm not racing this week so this could be your big chance... ------------- |