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Sharing my excitement!

Posted: 13 Mar 2015, 2:32pm
by lukehall
I am a happy owner of an ICE QNT and find it wonderful and comfortable for long distances, however I have longed for something more speedy. In Feb I contacted David at Laid back to ask about two wheelers and after much disccussion (I think we're past 50 emails!) with him being incredibly helpful. I was completely spoilt for choice with metabikes, optima and M5s and David really went above and beyond being helpful despite my rapidly changing ideas on exactly what I wanted. In the end I asked him in the off chance if he has any dealings with performer, he didn't but expressed an interest in giving it a go. After many more emails betwen David, Performer and myself an order was placed for one of these beauties:

Image

So I'm now very excited to have heard from david earlier this week that the frame has arrived acompanied with some pics of the finish and some of the modifications to my frame

https://www.flickr.com/photos/66067108@N08/16567381427/in/photostream/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/66067108@N08/16567429657/in/photostream/

so the excitement is now rapidly mounting as David waits on the last bits to arrive and I await my first ride on my shiny new bike!

Also any tips for someones first ride on a two wheeler? I have a turbo which I shall give it a go on first but I expect there will be quite a learning curve when I ride it properly.

Re: Sharing my excitement!

Posted: 13 Mar 2015, 2:36pm
by [XAP]Bob
:mrgreen:

Hmm, must resist the email...

Re: Sharing my excitement!

Posted: 13 Mar 2015, 3:42pm
by aideym
But WAIT.... That appears to be made out of ..... Titanium :shock:
You are a wicked man, could you just not have gone out and bought "50 shades of Grey" you pervert.

Can't wait to see it in the flesh

Re: Sharing my excitement!

Posted: 13 Mar 2015, 4:02pm
by lukehall
Yes, yes it is! :D

Re: Sharing my excitement!

Posted: 13 Mar 2015, 4:18pm
by Joe.B
wow, teriffic:)
I've been looking at those Performer frame sets online too.
How do you intend to finish the bike? It would be great to hear about your progress with the bike and see some pic's of the finished machine.

Re: Sharing my excitement!

Posted: 13 Mar 2015, 4:31pm
by lukehall
So David is building it up with Shimano 5800 and come wheels build at the local bike shop near Laid back. Currently they're waiting on some shimano 11 speed flat bar road shifters which are apparently unavailable everywhere until next week :( 11 speed has proved to be a pain in the ass, causing all sorts of issues with component compatibility and availability especially trying to find an 11 speed disc hub, though he managed to find a solution.

I hope to have more pics soon, I assume I won't have to wait too much longer to get my hands on it, but this last week/weeks will feel far too long :wink:

Re: Sharing my excitement!

Posted: 13 Mar 2015, 4:37pm
by Joe.B
Regarding my experience of learing how to ride; I just got on and peddeled. With the first couple of attempts I would only travel a few yards before having to stop due to loss of control. However I soon realised the key was to focus on the road head, looking into the middle distance rather than right in front of the bike.
I find that the motorcycle rule of 'looking at where you want to go rather than at whats in front of the front wheel' applies for my recumbent riding, espescially when starting or corrnering.

Re: Sharing my excitement!

Posted: 13 Mar 2015, 6:36pm
by hercule
Wiggle the bars as you push off. This advice attributed to Mike Burrows works for me! I'd also second the look where you want to go advice. I'd also find somewhere quiet and practice doing lots of slow speed turns and stops and starts. If the seat angle is adjustable, more upright is easier to begin with (you will probably need to adjust the boom as you recline the seat back).

Re: Sharing my excitement!

Posted: 13 Mar 2015, 8:13pm
by kingrollo
Fantastic looking frame.

Really hope performer do well - they seem to do decent bikes a lot cheaper than everyone else - there entry level jobbie (loosley a giro 20 clone) is only just over £1k

As the OP has discovered - they seem to have cracked the 'Sexy Recumbent' market - which can only be good news - recumbents should be cool - not geeky....

Re: Sharing my excitement!

Posted: 14 Mar 2015, 10:15am
by pjclinch
Joe.B wrote:I find that the motorcycle rule of 'looking at where you want to go rather than at whats in front of the front wheel' applies for my recumbent riding


I use this a lot for teaching kids and adults to ride upwrongs with my Cycle Trainer or Go-Ride coaching hat on too, usually stating it as "look at where you're going, not at what you're doing".

Furthermore, I've found out (typically the hard way) that it also broadly applies to canoeing, kayaking, skiing (downhill and cross country), skating (roller and ice), etc. etc. Anyone would think it was some sort of general principle! :shock:

My variant of the "wobble the bars" is a gentle push on them, the idea being you're deliberately not giving an instinctive pull. Works for me and it worked for my wife, especially handy for uphill starts.

Pete.

Re: Sharing my excitement!

Posted: 14 Mar 2015, 11:37am
by lukehall
Thanks for the advice guys!

Re: Sharing my excitement!

Posted: 16 Mar 2015, 8:18am
by neil earley
Nicelooking bike frame, cant wait to seethe finished bent. Keep us informed of when its complete and some more pics please.

Re: Sharing my excitement!

Posted: 16 Mar 2015, 1:09pm
by lukehall
I was sent this pic over the weekend, parts are just there for looks. My wheels are still being built and the seat has not arrived yet.

Image

Re: Sharing my excitement!

Posted: 16 Mar 2015, 1:56pm
by [XAP]Bob
The QR on the seat needs to go parallel with the seat...

Re: Sharing my excitement!

Posted: 16 Mar 2015, 2:18pm
by lukehall
The QR needs to come off and a proper skewer put on :wink: though also the proper seat and wheels...