Search found 694 matches

by nigelnightmare
7 Feb 2023, 7:41pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Front rack difficulties - any advice?
Replies: 20
Views: 1525

Re: Front rack difficulties - any advice?

The problem is caused be the forks.
They're straight! The rack was designed for forks with the curve at the bottom.
I had the same problem once and the allen bolt skewer solved it.
Also don't mount it to the same fixing as the mudguard fixing, IT WILL COME LOOSE! & if something jams the front wheel you WILL come off the bike.
DAHIK :roll:
by nigelnightmare
7 Jan 2023, 3:31pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Small Pumps.
Replies: 18
Views: 1464

Re: Small Pumps.

I use Halfords mini track pumps on my recumbent trikes.
They have two types, high pressure or high volume.
The high pressure one is rated for 100 psi and easily achieves this.
I also have the Topeak mini Morph and it also works fine.
they all have flexible connector tubes suitable for both types of valve, I prefer the Halfords one's as the connecting tube is longer
All come with a mounting bracket and options for either mounting to the bottle mounts with supplied bolts or fixing with the supplied tie-wraps.
Don't bother with the PLASTIC ones from Halfords, they're a complete waste of money/time & space.
HTH
by nigelnightmare
6 Jan 2022, 4:16pm
Forum: Non-standard, Human Powered Vehicles
Topic: Gearing on your SMGT OR SMGTe?
Replies: 22
Views: 1893

Re: Gearing on your SMGT OR SMGTe?

Tangled Metal wrote: 29 Dec 2021, 10:06pm Anyone with a HPV SMGT or current model SMGTe or another similar touring recumbent? What gearing do you have?

I got my chainrings and cassette replaced like for like with what it had when I bought it secondhand. It has 52-42-30 chainrings and 11-32 or 34 cassette. I think that's 27 to 125 gear inches on a 26" x 37mm rear wheel. For a touring bike that's a bit high. I've been looking at touring bikes like spa and tour de fer. They're about 19 or 21 gear inches up to about 100 or 107. I'm thinking I missed an opportunity to get a better gearing put on.

In my defence I'd not ridden in 2 and a half years so could remember what it's like on hills when light and also fully loaded.

What is good gearing for a bent like this?

I know I tend to prefer lower cadence and struggle to spin up a hill. I think I need to change that this year because I am still hoping to tour Belgium with it. Should I cut my losses and change the gearing before the chain beds in? What should I get? They're stronglight and I think another brand from spa cycles for the 30t small chainring. The cassette is apparently a Chinese made one that the mechanic got a tip on as being decent quality and available.
You should be able to swop out the 30t for a 26t to give a better/lower range for hills and your rear derailleur should be OK with it.
I've done this on one of my ICE trikes.
by nigelnightmare
6 Jan 2022, 4:07pm
Forum: Non-standard, Human Powered Vehicles
Topic: Repair bill on recumbent
Replies: 41
Views: 1677

Re: Repair bill on recumbent

I'd go with Dynamo lighting.
The SMGT has holes in the frame for internal wiring so it has a very clean look.
Check with HP for front & rear light mounting brackets for your bike.
by nigelnightmare
6 Jan 2022, 3:50pm
Forum: Non-standard, Human Powered Vehicles
Topic: Upgrade or gulp buy new?
Replies: 14
Views: 1809

Re: Upgrade or gulp buy new?

ICE recommended that I use bigger tyres on the front of my Qnt 2007 rather than fitting front suspension, being cheaper and almost as good as the suspension units at removing the road vibration.
I now use 50x406 front tyres and they fit under the front mudguards.
The result is nearly the same as my 2011 Vortex FS running 40x406.

Rear suspension is much better and improves the ride quality a lot.

I also have an ICE XL with rear Air suspension and that is the best at soaking up the lumps and potholes, talk about magic carpet ride!

With regards to upgrading or replacing/ buying new:

Buy a secondhand one WITH suspension and sell your old one to offset the cost.

P.S. One other thing that helps with road vibration is to move the seat back.
ICE do a FB bracket to do this, it is made for tall people so that the boom is not overextended, but it reduces the weight on the front wheels and gives better traction on the rear.
HTH
by nigelnightmare
6 Jan 2022, 3:12pm
Forum: Non-standard, Human Powered Vehicles
Topic: First recumbent - what's a good starter bent?
Replies: 21
Views: 1180

Re: First recumbent - what's a good starter bent?

What's a good starter 'bent?
The SMGT is/was made for touring so it's a fairly stable comfortable bike to ride if a little heavy.
The SMGTe is basically the same but being an alloy frame it's a little lighter.
Underseat steering is a little off putting until you actually ride it for the first time then it becomes instinctual and "relaxing" which is the best thing for stability when riding a recumbent. :wink:
The main drawback is the Price £££.
In my opinion any "Touring" recumbent should be suitable for a 'starter' recumbent as they're made for Stability and comfort over long distances.
JMTPW
by nigelnightmare
6 Jan 2022, 2:27pm
Forum: Non-standard, Human Powered Vehicles
Topic: 20" or 26/700C at the back of a delta trike
Replies: 6
Views: 509

Re: 20" or 26/700C at the back of a delta trike

belgiangoth wrote: 4 Jan 2022, 5:48pm I was wondering (no Baz, can't afford your friend's trike) what the advantages of 20" all round are on a delta trike. Same tyre/tube all round obvs, but I would have thought the gearing and tubeless tyres would make this less interesting these days.
On the other hand I have found that I can spin out on a sharp&slick incline on my catrike because there is not enough weight on the rear wheel - is this remediated on a 20" all-round model?
No. :(
I have a 20" all round and one with a 700c rear wheel & 20" fronts.
Moving the seat backwards to put more weight over the rear wheel helps though, easier on a 20" rear wheel.
ICE do a bracket for doing just this (it's called the "FB bracket" and is made for tall people so the boom is not over extended) moves back 2"/50mm.
I use it to give better traction on the rear wheel. :wink:
by nigelnightmare
6 Jan 2022, 2:25pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Why 700C wheels DON’T roll faster
Replies: 51
Views: 3041

Re: Why 700C wheels DON’T roll faster

I have two ICE recumbent trikes same model, one has 20" wheels all round and the other has 700c rear 20" front.
No difference in speed or comfort, the only thing the 700c one is better at is going over grass as it doesn't get tangled up in the rear derailleur.
by nigelnightmare
6 Jan 2022, 1:54pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Derailleur idler gear assembly.
Replies: 8
Views: 540

Re: Derailleur idler gear assembly.

Dr pepper wrote: 2 Jan 2022, 7:35pm I pulled apart my shimano derailleur to clean out the 1/2 pound of mank, but then realised that the idlers are different, one has a wider shoulder toward the bottom of the teeth.
I put this gear in the upper position thinking the shoulder guides the chain across the sprocket while shifting.
Did I do this right?
That sounds about right to me.
You'll find that one has either a steel or ceramic insert for the bearing bush and has more lateral (side) play for the gear indexing.
by nigelnightmare
4 Aug 2021, 1:51pm
Forum: Non-standard, Human Powered Vehicles
Topic: Idlers
Replies: 14
Views: 1917

Re: Idlers

I've just bought a T-Cycle clamp on idler return kit from Portland, Oregon, USA.
Shipping cost $45 which included all duties (import, VAT etc).
Ordered on 21/07/2021 arrived on the 29/07/2021.
Brake parts ordered on same day from EU still have not arrived!
Bits coming from Taiwan/China get here quicker and with less fuss.

I'd much prefer to NOT get anything from the EU any more, it's a farce! :twisted:
Things made in the EU are cheaper when sourced from non EU countries. :?
by nigelnightmare
7 Jan 2021, 8:18pm
Forum: Non-standard, Human Powered Vehicles
Topic: 1st Recumbent Trike Questions & Configuration For Any Thoughts
Replies: 58
Views: 5047

Re: 1st Recumbent Trike Questions & Configuration For Any Thoughts

When last I checked ICE were doing the Sturmey Archer 90mm drum dynamo. Approx £145.

You may have to phone them to make sure they still do though.

HTH
by nigelnightmare
20 Nov 2020, 8:36pm
Forum: Non-standard, Human Powered Vehicles
Topic: Changes to my Nazca Paseo
Replies: 70
Views: 19842

Re: Changes to my Nazca Paseo

Good luck with the new seat.
by nigelnightmare
30 Sep 2020, 7:43am
Forum: Non-standard, Human Powered Vehicles
Topic: ICE quest adventure front axle/hub advice
Replies: 3
Views: 546

Re: ICE quest adventure front axle/hub advice

It will be a M12 bolt/axle and either Sturmey Archer drum brake or ICE/Hope disc braked hubs.
The axle length is shorter than the current ones as the allen head grub screw locks it in place and the axle hole is threaded.

The later/current ones are unthreaded and have a nut on the inner end of the axle to lock it.

For more detailed information contact ICE & they may even be able to tell you the age.

HTH
by nigelnightmare
7 Sep 2020, 10:56am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Cleaning out Campag Ergos
Replies: 10
Views: 560

Re: Cleaning out Campag Ergos

I use GT85 to clean then "Wurth HHS 2000" spray grease on my Shimano 105's 8 speed brifters.
It seems to work OK.

Never had them "fully" stripped down, but have taken the inner mechanism out when I first got them for cleaning.

Wurth also do a spray grease with PTFE but it's expensive and hard to get.
HTH
by nigelnightmare
6 Sep 2020, 11:54am
Forum: Non-standard, Human Powered Vehicles
Topic: Linear Frame number or Serial Number
Replies: 9
Views: 801

Re: Linear Frame number or Serial Number

Mine is 1996, ordered on 20/06/1996.
39" frame (25-29" inseam).
They made 36",39",42",45" & 48" for inseam ranges from 22" to 34" and over.

It has Dia-compe caliper brakes, the rear is a 'Bigdog' BMX model.
Rear derailleur is Shimano 7 speed mega range (red label, 11t & red 13t jockey wheels), front is Sachs triple.
Revoshift twist grip gears, Sachs brake levers.
Stronglight triple crankset
700 & 406 wheels with DB (or DEB?) hubs
Mudguards & rear rack.
FER spoke drive dynamo.

HTH