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LWB or SWB?
- vic
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LWB or SWB?
Postby vic » Sun May 18, 2008 7:41 am
Having done a bit of research, the most of what I have learned is that the turning/steering response is different. Could others enlighten me perhaps on any differences to consider based on their experience? Thanks so much in advance.[/i]
- Kalgrm
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Postby Kalgrm » Mon May 19, 2008 2:13 am

One of our members (Recycler) is an avid builder of recumbents. He should be able to give you some advice.
My advice would be to go and ride some of the bikes at Flying Furniture, even if you don't want to buy one of his. You might find that OSS is even more compelling than USS, which will change how you design your own bike.
Personally, I'd buy one. You don't save much money by making one because the components (on any bike) are still expensive, even if the frame is cheap. Additionally, your time is worth money even if you don't think so. You could be riding your new bike within a fortnight if you buy, or riding it in 6 months (if ever) if you build it. As the bumper sticker says: "I'd rather be riding ...."
Cheers,
Graeme
(For the record, I have a Bacchetta Giro 26 with 700c wheels.)
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Music was better when ugly people were allowed to make it ....
- Leigh_caines
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Postby Leigh_caines » Wed May 21, 2008 4:54 am
The first one I built cost $54
One can use old bikes from the dump
Sure once you feel you've got it right you might want to spend a lot more on good bits... and it is adictive and one dose spend more and more but that sort of part of the fun.
Yes riding is what it's all about but building has it's own joys as well...
I have both under and over and I like both... the feel of nothing in front of you as you race down a hill is hard to beat.
I love my long bike with under
And i love my short bike with over


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byo recumbent
Postby Recycler » Wed May 21, 2008 12:27 pm
Remember you are only as old as the women you feel

- vic
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- DaveW
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- Location: Kwinana freeway, puffing along
Postby DaveW » Wed May 21, 2008 3:38 pm
I never considered a LWB partly because right now my commute involves a train ride and I would feel too uncomfortable taking up LWB room.


I also really like the look of the lowracer style - but I need to take work stuff - so I am full of contradictions about the whole thing.
Running some sketches along a semi lowracer, with a faired in box on the rear to hold the clothes etc, and I like USS.
I've never ridden a bent of any kind though so all this may change once I eventually set my backside on one.

But I also really have to buy a bike soon as my old MTB is suffering and me with it (I am getting fit though

So I may buy one, but still want to build one - just for the sake of it.

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Postby John Lewis » Thu May 22, 2008 11:10 pm
Lots of food for thought in the replies to your post.
Under or over seat steering? I think over is easier at first but I like both. Must admit the time I came off the OSS saved me a lot. Think I'd have done damage to my hands with USS.
Building a bent is very doable and can be done quite cheaply. For LWB have a google for Recycled Recumbent. I've built several of these for self and others and they have all been good honest cheap bikes.
For SWB I have built the Bentech ( Google). Two frames now. Easy to build and can be OSS or USS. I used muffler tube and mild steel and the results were good. Right now I'm building a trike for a friend.
I have some pictures in the Show off your Bents thread if you like to look.
So if like me you can't afford to buy then take the plunge and build.
Good luck,
John Lewis
- vic
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Postby vic » Fri May 23, 2008 8:21 am

- Uba Tracker
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Postby Uba Tracker » Thu May 29, 2008 8:44 pm
cheers
Harry
- vic
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Postby vic » Fri May 30, 2008 9:01 am
I am stunned by the amount of support and info available. Cheers! Vic
- Kalgrm
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- Uba Tracker
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Postby Uba Tracker » Sun Jun 01, 2008 10:04 am
L8r
Harry

- Kalgrm
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Postby Kalgrm » Sun Jun 01, 2008 10:10 am
I was told recently of an incident where a girl's mum didn't realise LOL meant laughs out loud. She thought it meant Lots of Love, since it was often found in a context where that would work.
She sent her daughter a text message: "Aunt Sandra has died. LOL"
Gotta sort out those abreviations before using them ....

LOL,
Graeme
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Music was better when ugly people were allowed to make it ....
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Postby John Lewis » Sun Jun 01, 2008 5:01 pm
Back on topic. Should have replied sooner but busy with new trike build and running after my wife who broke her leg falling off her upwrong. Pics shortly. Of the trike that is. LOL
I just want to mention that there is a LWB version of Bentech that looks somewhat similar to Lee's LWB. Might be worth a look. Also it would be quite easy to make the LWB like mine ( Recycled Recumbent TE clone )into USS.
By the way Lee, I really like the look of your LWB.
John Lewis
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