Search found 99 matches

by mark aldridge
22 Mar 2024, 6:24pm
Forum: For Sale - bits of bikes, etc.
Topic: CARBON SEAT
Replies: 0
Views: 181

CARBON SEAT

Carbon seat.
I don't know the make but perhaps someone can identify it.
Unused, just needs a dust
Replaced by ICE seat as it fits me better.
It looks like a large to me.
80cm long, 38cm wide.
£60 incl cheapest postage
by mark aldridge
22 Mar 2024, 6:20pm
Forum: For Sale - bits of bikes, etc.
Topic: SHIMANO TIAGRA CRANKSET
Replies: 0
Views: 163

SHIMANO TIAGRA CRANKSET

Shimano Tiagra chainset Dk Grey
Unused as replaced by Mountaindrive
10 speed
30/39/50 rings
172.5mm arms
£40 incl cheapest postage
by mark aldridge
22 Mar 2024, 6:17pm
Forum: For Sale - bits of bikes, etc.
Topic: SUPERMAN BARS AND STEM
Replies: 1
Views: 242

SUPERMAN BARS AND STEM

Superman bars and stem Black
Unused, off Toxy ZR, replaced by hamster bars.
Bars 58cm wide c to c, 36cm reach, 25mm clamp
Stem 8cm, 25mm bar clamp, 28cm stem clamp
£25 incl cheapest postage
by mark aldridge
17 Mar 2024, 4:34pm
Forum: For Sale - Complete bikes ONLY - state FRAME SIZE in title
Topic: 2023 Milan GT MK7 as new £8,500
Replies: 2
Views: 479

Re: 2023 Milan GT MK7 as new £8,500

Good afternoon Nick

I am very interested in your Milan, is it still available.

If you can PM me with your email and we can discuss it more.

I am very busy at the moment so it might be a day or so before I get back to you.

Thanks

Mark
by mark aldridge
2 Jan 2024, 3:26pm
Forum: Non-standard, Human Powered Vehicles
Topic: Crank length thoughts.
Replies: 12
Views: 735

Re: Crank length thoughts.

Hello Alan
Welcome to the can of worms!
I ride recumbent trikes and velomobiles with cranks from 155mm to 140mm.
On my uprights I used the industry standard of 175mm based on my height and leg length.
When I moved to my first recumbent trike it was a Windcheetah with a front fairing and needed 155mm cranks to give foot clearance. I was worried that this would have an effect on the power I could put down. No worries, I was spinning a fraction faster but no eurika moment. What was noticeable was there was less steering weave due to the lessening in distance my feet moved through. I installed 155mm cranks as they were available off the shelf.
I then started experimenting with cheap cranks cut down and went as low as 110mm. By trial and error I settled on 140mm as a happy medium.
All I can say is give it a try. As long as you have an axle with square ends you can try out a variety of short and kiddy cranks at minimal cost (they are easily sold on). When you settle on the right length for you then splash out on a lighter better quality set if you want to.
What you must remember is that within reason there is no "right" length and the human body is very accepting of a variety of parameters.
Good luck
by mark aldridge
30 Dec 2023, 10:10pm
Forum: Non-standard, Human Powered Vehicles
Topic: Schlumf Mountaindrive
Replies: 3
Views: 389

Schlumf Mountaindrive

My Schlumf Mountaindrive is getting very noisy and rough running after many thousands of miles. I have been servicing it myself but it now needs some experienced care and rebuild. Does anyone know who can do it. I don't mind posting to Europe if I need to.
Thanks
Mark
by mark aldridge
17 Dec 2023, 9:50am
Forum: Non-standard, Human Powered Vehicles
Topic: CLEANING VELOMOBILE
Replies: 5
Views: 2529

CLEANING VELOMOBILE

Given the current season and state of the roads my velomobile wheels and wheel wells are getting very cruddy.
Up until now I have either ignored it or resorted to turning it on it side and trying to do my best with as little water as I can.
The question is, does anyone have any advice.
Is jet washing safe.
Is it better to use a low pressure system like the big spray bottles used for insecticides.
Is it better just to use a hose or bucket and brush.
It is a Quatrovelo and the wheels are enclosed.
The front wheels are not bad but the rear ones appear to collect all the crud.
Thanks
Mark
by mark aldridge
8 Dec 2023, 9:52pm
Forum: Non-standard, Human Powered Vehicles
Topic: Winter Trike Training (Wahoo Hub)
Replies: 10
Views: 1495

Re: Winter Trike Training (Wahoo Hub)

Hello Hercule
It is hard to say as i don't use good tyres.
I either use worn road tyres off my trikes before chucking them, I run them until they fail. It is not a problem as it does not strand me out on the road.
or I buy the cheapest tyres I can find, ones I would not think of using on the road.
Rolling resistance is not an issue as the worse they roll the more training effect you get.

If time or weather conditions allow I get out in my Quatrovelo. The weight means it gives a great workout and it really shows when I get out on my Windcheetah in the spring.
Good luck.
by mark aldridge
7 Dec 2023, 10:05pm
Forum: Non-standard, Human Powered Vehicles
Topic: Winter Trike Training (Wahoo Hub)
Replies: 10
Views: 1495

Re: Winter Trike Training (Wahoo Hub)

I do my winter training using a Sportcraft Trike Trainer.
Not cheap but I have had one for years and it is a well built bombproof bit of kit that will see me out.
Two gear ratios by swapping it around. Just a couple of blocks for the front wheels (I use a couple of bricks with deep frogs).
I bought mine from Draft Wheelchairs. Their site is well worth a visit even if you are just a regular recumbent rider just to see the wonders of racing trikes and wheelchairs.
by mark aldridge
28 Oct 2023, 9:52pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: RECUMBENT IDLERS
Replies: 4
Views: 1181

RECUMBENT IDLERS

Over the years I have often wondered why idlers come in different types. Surely the aim of the idler is to guide the chain and as long as there is a hanger to stop the chain jumping or dropping off all that is needed is a plain pulley. What is the point of the toothed ring in the centre, surely it is the side plates that guide the chain. Am I missing something by fitting the cheapest plastic idlers as long as the bearing runs smoothly. I expect the plastic ones wear more rapidly but they run noticeably quieter which is a trade off I can live with.
by mark aldridge
17 Oct 2023, 10:07pm
Forum: Non-standard, Human Powered Vehicles
Topic: ICE VTX SEAT MOUNTING
Replies: 12
Views: 4617

Re: ICE VTX SEAT MOUNTING

Thanks for all the replies.
I have a VTX carbon seat and it is fine as it has a flat back profile and good side support.
The problem is that I am not fitting it to an ICE trike and do not know how the front of the seat is mounted.
Hence the need for photographs and boom diameter.
If i am lucky I can use the ICE mounting bracket but I don't know what it looks like and can't find any information online.
ICE are very helpful but I need to know before I place an order.
Mark

The seat it is replacing has a more pronounced lumbar bulge and doesn't suit my back. It will be up for sale as soon as I mount the new seat.

Bob XAP. I also have a Windcheetah (not the trike that the seat is destined for). Like you I find the original seat a bit strange but lots of experimentation with foam inserts and subtle seat sculpting has sorted it. What I do like is the way it holds me firmly in place over the rough Surrey roads but it does restrict my ability to lean out to counteract wheel lift on enthusiastic cornering.
by mark aldridge
17 Oct 2023, 9:22am
Forum: Non-standard, Human Powered Vehicles
Topic: ICE VTX SEAT MOUNTING
Replies: 12
Views: 4617

ICE VTX SEAT MOUNTING

I am planning to fit a VTX carbon seat to another trike.
Can anyone send me a few photos of how the front of the seat is mounted to a VTX trike and the diameter of the tube it is attached to.
PM me and I will give you my email address.
Thanks in advance
Mark
by mark aldridge
23 Aug 2023, 9:34pm
Forum: Non-standard, Human Powered Vehicles
Topic: Windcheetah joystick universal joint and gear hanger
Replies: 7
Views: 4418

Re: Windcheetah joystick universal joint and gear hanger

Thanks for the advice.
A gear hanger will not work as I need clearance over the top of the cassette where the hanger loops over. It is not like a solo where you have free air around the block.
I have burrowed into my Milan and the uj looks similar but it would need some fettling/bodging to make it fit. The uj on my Velomo is a better approximation but I think it will be better having one made from scratch.
I will chase up Kevin but he can be elusive.
by mark aldridge
22 Aug 2023, 9:45pm
Forum: Non-standard, Human Powered Vehicles
Topic: Windcheetah joystick universal joint and gear hanger
Replies: 7
Views: 4418

Windcheetah joystick universal joint and gear hanger

Does anyone have any advice on replacing the joystick universal joint. Mine has worn severely and steering is definitely on the point and hope side. Where did the original joint come from it is obviously an off the shelf item. Has anyone got a joystick squirreled away in a cupboard. I can get a replacement made by a local bicycle friendly engineer but it is not especially cheap.

Secondly I am trying to future proof the Windcheetah and plan to fit a larger rear cassette. This will entail fabricating a new gear hanger to accommodate the larger diameter sprockets, probably up to 46 tooth. Has anyone done this before.

Does anyone want to piggyback on my order to split the costs.

Thanks

Mark
by mark aldridge
14 Aug 2023, 4:11pm
Forum: Non-standard, Human Powered Vehicles
Topic: Windcheetah Idlers
Replies: 1
Views: 3604

Windcheetah Idlers

I have tracked my drive chain rumble to the two chain idlers. The small one is much worse than the big one. It looks like you can replace just the bearings as they are held in by a circlip. Am I right?
The rest of the idlers are not in great shape so I might just replace them both.
Has anyone any experience of replacing them, if so where did you buy them.
They have been on for 15+ years and many miles so they have not done badly.