RANS Stratus XP Update

[UpWrong]

Getting this ready for summer and the Isle of Wight Randonee. I switched the tyres to Panaracer Pasela PT and am very very impressed. Previously had a 28mm Durano on the front and a 35mm Kojak (both folding) on the rear. The 32mm Paselas feel quicker and more comfortable. Just wish Panaracer made them in 406 size for my other bents. And I've added the Topeak RX bag which I bought used here, the one with fold out side pockets.

Photos here: https://1drv.ms/a/s!AmuVLk0nWAz9gaF3aiplzOLCIq2thw

But the main change has been to install the Bacchetta B-pivot folding stem so that I can fold the handlebars easily and put the bike into my medium sized hatchback. I hesitated to do this because I had to cut the steerer down, remove the RANS headset adjuster and install a star nut, but it works well. I left room for one spacer under the B-pivot so that other stems could be fitted later if the B-pivot develops problems. Having cut the steerer though I can't go back to a straight riser setup.

[hercule]

I have Paselas on 3 bikes and have used them for years - quiet, fast, comfortable and reasonably fairy repellant. I did have the 26x1.75” ones on the tandem but an Experience suggested something a bit tougher would be better!

[UpWrong]

This is still proving to be my fastest 'bent and best climber. With climbing in mind I installed a smaller granny ring to make a 26/38/48 triple and took the Terracycle WERX fairing off to lighten it, replacing it with some wide plastic tape across the chopper bars. I have got the parts to build a lighter front wheel but I really like the look of the Halo Sub4 rim with Maxxis 49x406 tyre which is actually larger than a 50x406 Big Apple. What do you think?

[UpWrong]

I had the XP in 700/26 configuration without mudguards but the spray was intolerable so have gone back to dual 26 with mudguards. Decided to fit the largest tyre I could on the back to raise the seat height and reduce trail. However the chain stays narrow dramatically so a 42-559 Pasela folding Protite was the widest. The front is a 28-559 Grand Prix. I took it out for my first 'bent ride this year and immediately took to it. So much faster on the flat and similar to my upright hybrid on 5%-8% gradients. Above 8% it gets hard to hold a straight line.

[a.twiddler]

It looks good. Glad to see you're keeping the LWB flag flying!

[UpWrong]

I had a loud rattling noise occurring in bottom gear when on a steep hill. I couldn't see what it was so thought I'd change the chain which was 10 years old. The rattle was still there so put the bike on a stand and quickly saw the problem. In bottom gear (small-large combo) the chain was rubbing on the 55mm rear mudguard. So I put a 45mm guard on and went for a ride. All good. My first ride for ages but it was just so easy to ride the bike. I even managed a few hill starts in bottom gear. Quite pleased with the 9.9mph average over 21 miles with 1,115' of climbing, https://www.strava.com/activities/11993321938
EDIT: If I'm up to it I might do the same tomorrow on the Paseo. It will be slower but the enjoyment factor might be greater

[deejayen]

Have you managed to take your Paseo out on the same route to see how it compares?

I now have my USS LWB on the road, and am enjoying riding it. I've only managed some shorter rides (15 miles maximum) so far. It's not the fastest thing I've ridden, and it weighs a ton, but there's a lot to be said for a more upright 'recumbent' riding position. I'm more enthused than apprehensive when I think about going for a ride, which is probably a good sign. The hilliest ride was hard work at times, but the bike seemed to track fairly straight at slow speed. I'll also have to try some hill starts - I'll practice on a gentle slope then gradually work my way up to attempting to start on steeper gradients.

[UpWrong]

Have you managed to take your Paseo out on the same route to see how it compares?

It was too hot and I've been too busy for a while but managed it today, https://www.strava.com/activities/12051773949

Average speed of 9.2mph rather than 9.9mph, though maybe I wasn't trying so hard. The Nazca looks to be faster on the flats but slower on the climbs and the RANS handles bad roads better. I always get a feeling of trepidation when heading out on a SWB, probably because I have 3 miles of urban traffic before I reach quieter roads, and I have some awkward junctions in those first 3 miles. I've owned a lot of SWBs: Spirit, Grasshopper, Giro, Metabikes, P-38. The Paseo has the BB nearest the ground which probably helps with stopping and starting confidently. After a few miles, I relax into it. The rear suspension is bliss and the 2x10 gearing is easy and simple even though I have given up some top end compared to the 3x9 on the RANS. The RANS is probably around 4lbs lighter though you only feel the weight of the Paseo when you pick up an end to manouvere it around.

[deejayen]

Thanks for the update. It seems like there's not much between the two bikes when you look at overall average speed. I often see more than 0.7mph difference in average speed on the same bike on different days.

I've shifted my seat forward by almost a couple of inches, but haven't had a chance to try it yet. I didn't think my legs were over-extending most of the time, but I've found in the past (on different bikes) that recumbents seem to benefit from the pedals being closer. It'll be interesting to see if the new seat position lets me generate a bit more power into a headwind or on climbs, which is where I noticed I was slowing down.

[allewedertje]

I'm still riding my 2006 Stratus XP and recently switched to CONTINENTAL CONTACT SPEED tires (42-559 in front and 50-559 in the back). Noticable improvement in speed compared what I rode with in the past. Too soon yet to know about longevity, but I'm sure I am gonna find out ....

[a.twiddler]

Curiously, although the wheels on my USS Linear LWB are 406 front and 700C rear, I have the opposite combination. Front is 50-406, rear is 42-700. Though the front is a Big Apple and the rear is a Vittoria Randonneur, it actually works quite well. They've been on it for about 3 1/2 years now. There wasn't much science behind it, I just happened to have a Big Apple in the garage, and just thought I would try it when I fitted a 406 wheel.There was a slight increase in average speed, but mainly a more planted feel. I wasn't starting from a high bar though, as the front was originally a 500A with an elderly Michelin Diablo on it.

I wonder if the same idea would work on dual 559, having a slightly wider version of your favourite tyre on the front than the rear. I do like to do mild off road, though I'm no downhill racer.

[UpWrong]

I'm still riding my 2006 Stratus XP and recently switched to CONTINENTAL CONTACT SPEED tires (42-559 in front and 50-559 in the back). Noticable improvement in speed compared what I rode with in the past. Too soon yet to know about longevity, but I'm sure I am gonna find out ....

What frame size do you have? I have the standard size and building these was outsourced to Taiwan and built with tighter clearances. I can't fit a 50-559 on the rear.

[UpWrong]

Curiously, although the wheels on my USS Linear LWB are 406 front and 700C rear, I have the opposite combination. Front is 50-406, rear is 42-700. Though the front is a Big Apple and the rear is a Vittoria Randonneur, it actually works quite well. They've been on it for about 3 1/2 years now. There wasn't much science behind it, I just happened to have a Big Apple in the garage, and just thought I would try it when I fitted a 406 wheel.There was a slight increase in average speed, but mainly a more planted feel. I wasn't starting from a high bar though, as the front was originally a 500A with an elderly Michelin Diablo on it.

I wonder if the same idea would work on dual 559, having a slightly wider version of your favourite tyre on the front than the rear. I do like to do mild off road, though I'm no downhill racer.

But remember there's more weight on the rear tyre. Wider tyres are generally better for grip when going off-road though.

[a.twiddler]

Assuming that the rear tyre is sufficiently wide to soak up the bumps, a few mm extra on the front is just a bonus. I wonder too, if it might help to damp any tendency for the front to wander at low speed uphill with a dual 559 set up.

It might be that you feel the benefit more when the front wheel is smaller. I've got the same set up on the Spirit, and it seems to work well. The rear is a 47-406 Marathon, the front is a 50-305 Big Apple.

[UpWrong]

I wonder too, if it might help to damp any tendency for the front to wander at low speed uphill with a dual 559 set up. .

Might do. I've ended up with 42-559 on the rear and 28-550 on the front to reduce trail by raising the rear of the bike. A wider front tyre with some tread would slow down the steering response which might reduce a tendency to wander at low speeds - or might not!

EDIT: the main issue is really that I have poor balance and coordination.