[hpv] re "folding" swb

[Ian Humphries]

"I can see far (comfortably and without neck strain) because I have sat
on a recumbent seat" A. 'bent Einstein

>>> sh...@norman.mkt.hcsc.com (Shari Bernhard) wrote: >>>
... a folding recumbent?!! ...... yours has features I was hoping to get:
SWB and two same-size wheels. It also looks lighter than the 35 lbs my
Beamer weighs......Can you post some specs on that bike? ....... There
is a need for a production-quality folding recumbent out there.
<<<

Look in http://www.ihpva.org/incoming/ian_fold.jpg - photos of my swb
folding 'bent disassembled and folded (3minute job)

Shari,

Allow me, if I may, to correct myself. My SWB "folder" is not I guess a
true folder, nor is it a production 'bent - it is more a travel bike like the Bike
Friday, as it takes a few minutes not a few seconds to shrink down. The
design could be the basis for one though. I'll accept orders (US$2500 per
bike) ;-) but delivery will have to wait until I finish my PhD ( ha ! ). That
bike has been the test bed for a few of my ideas and is my bike of
choice for touring and commuting at the moment. It is lighter than 35lbs
but not by much, weighing in at about 15 kg (with rack, 20w lights,
speedo etc), ..... though I think I could build one weighing ~13kgs. It still
climbs well though, I think due to its stiffness. (I will build myself a lighter
one sometime).

It is very comfortable (I've ridden 205km in a day on it) and fun to ride and
handles very predictably - I can ride it no hands and it handles rough dirt
and gravel tracks quite well. Rear suspension would help there but I
opted for a solid rear end to carry panniers etc...

I think I've posted the specs before but here they are:

Design - 20/20 SWB ASS
Wheels - 406mm x 2
Tyres - 37mm Haro slicks
Wheelbase - 1135mm
Fairing - Coroplast, top opening ;-)
Rims - Velocity K525
Gears - 3 x 7, cassette Shimano 12 -28 (26 to 112 inches)
Derailleur - Sachs 6000
Hubs - Sachs 6000 front and 3x7 rear
Chain - Sachs
Front suspension - Kotzur custom 25mm travel
Brakes - Shimano Cantilevers with front Dia-compe "power hanger"
Brake Levers- Tektro
Mesh seat - approx 45 degrees, shock cord laced
Headset - Ritchey
Weight - 15kg
Tubing - mix of Reynolds 531, Tange Prestige, and Columbus SLX.
Weight distribution (with 70kg rider) - 44% front, 56% rear
Steering geometry - 69 degree head angle, 20 mm rake, 70mm trail
(I think small wheeled bikes need more (at least 70mm) trail )

Do you want to know more ?

Peace and Love and Human Powered Vehicles,
Vehicles of the revolution!
Ian Humphries,
Recumbent cyclist, amateur frame builder :-) and
Research Scientist, The New Children's Hospital, Sydney, Australia