'The world is a book.
Those who don't travel
read only one page.'
----
- St Augustine
Bike
About my strange bike
A few words about my bikes
One of the Couchsurfers, in the 'Teach, Learn, Share’ tab, put the following:’ I can teach how to throw a frisbee or ride a bike’. Somehow it seemed very funny to me, but surely there are people who don’t know how to ride a bike. As for me, when did I actually learn? It feels as if I always had a bike.
Nevertheless the first longer bike trip (76 km to Oravic Sk) was possible thanks to my sister’s folding bicycle (Wigry 2 or was it 3?). Later on I bought a pseudo-mountain bike ‘Kross’. By 2002 I cycled nearly 7 thousand km of polish and Slovakian roads.
It all started developing in 2002 when per chance I saw in Krakau exhibition of Kamil Maneck’s recumbent bikes www.velokraft.com
Without a hesitation, I bought such a bike and the following May cycled to Romania (2.040 km).
The bike was entirely made of composite and very comfortable. Unfortunately, it was heavy (around 20 kg) and far from aesthetically pleasing.
2007 brought some changes. My new bike, despite having a steel frame, weighs only 16 kg. Kamil applied some improvements, the bike is belt-driven, and has a derailleur gear in the hub. It’s perfect for cycling.
Recumbent bikes are fantastic but they’re definitely not for people, who dislike attracting a lot of attention. Believe it or not, these bikes are easy to spot.
One could even say they are a sensation.
Patience is required in order to answer same, sometimes not very bright, questions over and over again.
Parameters - range - used components
- Why such a strange bike?
Simpy: this bike is just sooo comfy! No sore wrists, spine and behind.
About my bike:
This is a recumbent bike made by the Velokraft company from Krakow, Poland- see more: www.velokraft.com.
They make carbon fibre recumbent bikes and electric bikes.
- Why belt and not chain?
It's cleaner, quieter, more durable and weighs less. It's strength is about 70.000 Km (44.000 mi)
- Is it comfortable?
You have to get used to it at first, but it comes quicly.The center of gravity is lower, and the ride is more stable. It has 9 gears in the rear hub (Sram I-motion) Still, to get up a hill you pedal like on a regular bike.
Unfortunately, after 2.000 km, 21.10.2011, near Lyon , Sram was work badly , and after next 300 km near Toulon, at 30.10.2011 was completely broken.
From 15.11.2011 I have the new wheel and Shimano gear.
- Why such a small wheel at the front?
The front wheel carries little load, so it rolls very well,even though it is only 16 in. It makes the bike more compact and practical.
- Bike specifics:
My bike has a steel frame so it weighs 16 Kg (35 Lbs) - With a carbon frame it would be closer to 10 Kg (22 Lbs). Steerer hight - 110 cm (43 in), length - 160 cm (63 in), and the bike with trailer and luggage weighs over 50 Kgs (110 Lbs) and the total length is 290 cm (114 in).
Max speed ?
In Hungary (may 2011) I went over 55km/h (34,5 mph) with a trailer, however with trailer and luggage max. safe speed I consider to be 45 km/h (28 mph).
- Max. and average daily distance?
Maximum so far within 12 hrs was 158 km (98 mi), but my average daily coverage is: 60 - 80 km (37-50 mi). Without luggage about 50% more.
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