Let's see your BICYCLE!

[dubkitty]

oh, boy, i hope i can find those at REI so i can get the year-end refund!

[Chankgeez]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiUE3qDnFtU

[univalve]

I need to update my shit here. Bought two new fixed gear bikes and i'm selling two.
BTW, i rode 6000km in 2018. Personal record.

[univalve]

New Bike (number one - second one is in the buildup phase...)

[Chankgeez]

[dubkitty]

ooh, purty!

[univalve]

My first wheel builds are installed! Looks even more bad ass now.



On the right with the pink helmet:

[Chankgeez]

You should get a pink fairing though.

[PeteeBee]

Uni, those wheels look great! As does the whole bike. How was the process? I'm considering doing that as well as I want to add a dynamo to my front wheel and building a wheel seems like the most economically feasible way to do it.

Also, Are those bike boat things normal where you? I've never seen such a thing.

[Chankgeez]

They're just recumbents with full fairings.

[PeteeBee]

You make that sound so normal! I think I see maybe one recumbant bike a year, let alone with fairings. What's the advantage? I guess it keeps you dry and warm, which would be a huge plus.

[lordgalvar]

You don't have to wear pants.


I think it's for aero reasons and maybe a little added protection when somebody doesn't see you.

Somebody rides one of those to the high school down the street. Most of the time she drives a pedal golf cart thing...like a post modern version of something you'd rent at the beach. The traffic hates her. She takes the whole lane and rarely tops 5 mph. Haha

[Chankgeez]

You don't have to wear pants.

Yes, the good old Co-ed Naked Recumbent Cycling Team!

You make that sound so normal! I think I see maybe one recumbant bike a year, let alone with fairings. What's the advantage? I guess it keeps you dry and warm, which would be a huge plus.

Different body position? Better for some things, worse for others. Depends on what you want out of your cycling experience.

To be fair, I don't think most recumbent cyclists ride with full fairings very often. If anything, probably a partial fairing. So, it'd be debatable if it offered much protection from the elements. Plus, I'd imagine full fairings'd be a detriment in a crosswind.

I think it's for aero reasons and maybe a little added protection when somebody doesn't see you.

Somebody rides one of those to the high school down the street. Most of the time she drives a pedal golf cart thing...like a post modern version of something you'd rent at the beach. The traffic hates her. She takes the whole lane and rarely tops 5 mph. Haha

I'm sure those fairings offer no added protection when people don't see you.

Speaking of which, that's why most recumbent cyclists usually have tons of those safety flags attached to their bikes.

Being that you're talkin' about California, she's probably allowed by law to take up the whole lane. Doesn't mean it's a considerate thing to do especially given the traffic situation around there. Maybe more people should ride recumbents?

[lordgalvar]

The protection thing was kind of a joke and a more about them getting a full lane out here. I can't imagine most people going fast enough on the regular to get any aero benefits haha.

I miss riding my bike though.

[univalve]

Uni, those wheels look great! As does the whole bike. How was the process? I'm considering doing that as well as I want to add a dynamo to my front wheel and building a wheel seems like the most economically feasible way to do it.

Thanks a lot! It is fun to ride too.
It is pretty easy. You just need patience and a wheel truing stand. I got the rims and spokes dirt cheap so the whole wheels are a great deal (less than 150 USD for both). I followed a youtube video how to set the spokes and how to do a basic setup for the tension. Worked out very good - it is not complicated just a patience thing. I already build 3 more wheels that all came out great too. My wife has now a single speed bike and i build a second back wheel for my winter bike: so i only have to switch wheels for spike tires and normal tires. I can post pics of these if somebody is curious...

Also, Are those bike boat things normal where you? I've never seen such a thing.

They (=velomobil) are becoming slowly kind of normal. Two of my neighbors sold their car and bought two of these to commute to work (30km (18,6 miles) single distance). There are two main companies: http://www.velomobiel.nl and https://velomobil.eu
They are pretty great for commuting longer distances. You can ride relaxed (!) around 34 km/h (around 21 mph) with these. But they are pricey: 7.000-9.000 EUR (7.800-10.000 USD).

That picture is from the monthly critical mass (bike event) in Karlsruhe and i was there with my neighbors and their velomobiles - that's why i'm right beside them.