Comments on: 05/02/2012 – Low Hanging Fruit http://yehudamoon.com/20120502/ Thu, 23 May 2013 14:45:23 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: twilwel http://yehudamoon.com/20120502/#comment-54381 twilwel Wed, 09 May 2012 21:48:01 +0000 http://kickstandcomics/05022012/#comment-54381 <span style="">Recumbents  ARE raced in packs, even in velodromes. Escaping the pack is easier because aero advantage in the peleton is less obvious for recumbents and that's why recumbent races look chaotic to roadies.  </span><br/><span style="">Climbing is simply a function of weight. Most recumbents are heavier than racing bikes but there are some less than 10lbs and they climb just as fast. Another reason why roadies think that recumbents can't climb is that on the flats the recumbent rider is flattered by the better aerodynamics, but invariably the lack of real power in the legs show up at the first hill.  </span><br/><span style="">Falling with a lowracer recumbent is way safer than with a road bike. As a passionate racer, I've had my share of crashes and the closeness to the ground often makes a crash less painful. Because inmost cases recumbent riders fall to the side, a crash usually involves the elbows and they can easily be protected by pads. Falling over the steer is impossible with a lowracer, so it's very unlikely a recumbent rider flies through the air and falls on the head.</span> Recumbents  ARE raced in packs, even in velodromes. Escaping the pack is easier because aero advantage in the peleton is less obvious for recumbents and that’s why recumbent races look chaotic to roadies.  
Climbing is simply a function of weight. Most recumbents are heavier than racing bikes but there are some less than 10lbs and they climb just as fast. Another reason why roadies think that recumbents can’t climb is that on the flats the recumbent rider is flattered by the better aerodynamics, but invariably the lack of real power in the legs show up at the first hill.  
Falling with a lowracer recumbent is way safer than with a road bike. As a passionate racer, I’ve had my share of crashes and the closeness to the ground often makes a crash less painful. Because inmost cases recumbent riders fall to the side, a crash usually involves the elbows and they can easily be protected by pads. Falling over the steer is impossible with a lowracer, so it’s very unlikely a recumbent rider flies through the air and falls on the head.

]]> By: Badger http://yehudamoon.com/20120502/#comment-54386 Badger Wed, 09 May 2012 15:43:33 +0000 http://kickstandcomics/05022012/#comment-54386 Faster, by a lot.  Maybe a race is in order in a future strip to shut Joe up? Faster, by a lot.  Maybe a race is in order in a future strip to shut Joe up?

]]> By: Badger http://yehudamoon.com/20120502/#comment-54398 Badger Wed, 09 May 2012 15:41:57 +0000 http://kickstandcomics/05022012/#comment-54398 They are....   I have to admit when just running errands and chores, I use my ancient Peugeot City/mountain hybrid because it has the panniers, etc, but my short wheel base recumbent (Kind of like what Stu is riding, but with below seat steering), but when I road bike for FUN?  The recumbent is my FIRST choice.  They're great for touring, fantastic in wind, very comfortable, not so hot on hills.  Lots of spinning in low gears because you can't stand on the pedals. They are….   I have to admit when just running errands and chores, I use my ancient Peugeot City/mountain hybrid because it has the panniers, etc, but my short wheel base recumbent (Kind of like what Stu is riding, but with below seat steering), but when I road bike for FUN?  The recumbent is my FIRST choice.  They’re great for touring, fantastic in wind, very comfortable, not so hot on hills.  Lots of spinning in low gears because you can’t stand on the pedals.

]]> By: Peter Clinch http://yehudamoon.com/20120502/#comment-54397 Peter Clinch Thu, 03 May 2012 07:32:30 +0000 http://kickstandcomics/05022012/#comment-54397 <i>You</i> don't, <i>Joe</i> seems to want them though... You don’t, Joe seems to want them though…

]]> By: ? http://yehudamoon.com/20120502/#comment-54380 ? Thu, 03 May 2012 00:01:34 +0000 http://kickstandcomics/05022012/#comment-54380 I'm pretty sure it's safer to race in a group on diamond frames.  I can't imagine what a pack of recumbents would look like, not to mention a recumbent wreck. I’m pretty sure it’s safer to race in a group on diamond frames.  I can’t imagine what a pack of recumbents would look like, not to mention a recumbent wreck.

]]> By: PlatyPius http://yehudamoon.com/20120502/#comment-54379 PlatyPius Wed, 02 May 2012 23:44:53 +0000 http://kickstandcomics/05022012/#comment-54379 Doubtful they'd be the "preferred" contraption for racing, since there are climbs in many UCI road races.  Who the hell wants to watch a bunch of bearded guys with bellies spinning at 110rpm up a climb at 7.1 mph? Doubtful they’d be the “preferred” contraption for racing, since there are climbs in many UCI road races.  Who the hell wants to watch a bunch of bearded guys with bellies spinning at 110rpm up a climb at 7.1 mph?

]]> By: LiveAndLetLive http://yehudamoon.com/20120502/#comment-54378 LiveAndLetLive Wed, 02 May 2012 19:01:30 +0000 http://kickstandcomics/05022012/#comment-54378 Yep - motor racing has managed to accommodate engineering developments - well, to some extent at least - so why not the cycle racing powers that be? Yep – motor racing has managed to accommodate engineering developments – well, to some extent at least – so why not the cycle racing powers that be?

]]> By: Robert Niece http://yehudamoon.com/20120502/#comment-54377 Robert Niece Wed, 02 May 2012 16:41:48 +0000 http://kickstandcomics/05022012/#comment-54377 I'm pretty sure that if the UCI hadn't banned recumbents from their sanctioned events in the early 30s the conversation would be more like "why are you still riding that old-fashioned uncomfortable safety bicycle?" Actually, bicycle development would be light-years ahead of where we are now if it wasn't for the UCI's "definitions" of what constitutes a bicycle. Graeme Obree anyone? I’m pretty sure that if the UCI hadn’t banned recumbents from their sanctioned events in the early 30s the conversation would be more like “why are you still riding that old-fashioned uncomfortable safety bicycle?”

Actually, bicycle development would be light-years ahead of where we are now if it wasn’t for the UCI’s “definitions” of what constitutes a bicycle. Graeme Obree anyone?

]]> By: Hurri47 http://yehudamoon.com/20120502/#comment-54382 Hurri47 Wed, 02 May 2012 15:45:46 +0000 http://kickstandcomics/05022012/#comment-54382 Bacchetta may be an Italian word, but it's an American company. (Speaking of nit-picking.) Bacchetta may be an Italian word, but it’s an American company. (Speaking of nit-picking.)

]]> By: Anonymous http://yehudamoon.com/20120502/#comment-54394 Anonymous Wed, 02 May 2012 15:32:46 +0000 http://kickstandcomics/05022012/#comment-54394 He circled 'em showing off that he can do the same thing as an upright....  :) He circled ‘em showing off that he can do the same thing as an upright….  :)

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