[python] Re: Some News
- From: David Mullens <davemullens@xxxxxxx>
- To: python@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 04 Feb 2009 20:01:43 -0800
Hi 25hz;
I wrote to Dennis myself -
> Hi Dennis;
>
> Knowledge of your rear-steering, front-wheel drive recumbent has lit up
> the python crowd. I can see that some of the python crowd will be
> investigating the possibilities of rear-steer, which has not really
> worked almost every time it has been used.
>
> I would love to have a python but I really do not have the collection of
> tools, time and money that is required, or the fabrication skills needed
> either. I have to make do with commercially made recumbents, which
> isn't a bad thing.
>
> DAve
Dennis replied -
There are a lot of great factory made recumbents. The Volae highracers
are one of my favorites. I also like the challenge Fujin SL
II lowracer. My rear wheel steering bike is very ride-able and fun but
cost me a fortune to build. There is a learning curve to riding such a
bike. After time it seems as natural as any bike but in the beginning
it did feel very strange. I was able to race my daughter down the
street on it the first day I rode it but that's not saying too much.
Now I can ride it with all my road bike friends and stay with them no
problem. If I had read all the problems in building a rear steering
bicycle before I started I would probably would never have made the
attempt. I am glad I did. One of my favorite saying is "The person who
says it cannot be done is going to be run down by the guy doing it".
Therefore we know that he spent a lot of time and money making the
rear-steering bent. It seems to work well, and that it works at all is
amazing. A nearby bike store has a bent rear-stearing trike hanging
from the ceiling, owned by one of the employees, and it is really
complicated.
Dave
------------------------------------------------------------------------
that's awesome! Very smooth looking. I can't tell from the video, but
is it a true rear wheel steer? Is his seat actually sitting on the front
part and there is nothing aft of the pivot but the rear wheel?? If so, it's
an amazing accomlpishment.
The video was hard to see, but I wonder how much issue he has with
pedal steer?
Would it be reduced because he is sitting on the same rigid section
the BB is attached to, or would he be sort of rotating around the
contact patch of the front wheel and still maybe getting a little
pedal steer that needs to be countered with his arms as the pivot
tries to move left and right behind him?
Man, I have immediate ideas about dropping the seat down lower and
making a lowracer with dual 700's. One of the bonusesof having a 36"
inseam :)
3. Dennis Renner from USA has built a FWD-RWS recumbent which
seems to
work pretty well:
> http://de.youtube.com/watch?v=KMA7CTfbpwo
Waw, that is really amazing! I always thought a FWD/RWS was impossible
to ride. Would like to find out more!
Dirk
============================================================
Hej Dirk!
I thought just the same. I contacted Dennis, to ask him a few things.
He answers very promptly. Here's a copy of what he said:
1)
Thanks for the compliments.
My design is quite complicated to build. It took me a year and 5
months of my spare time to build it the first time. The jig I built
took a month and a half. The wheel base is 45 inches', and the
steering head tube angle is 71 degrees. The steering system on my
bike is a split handle bar design. each side moves only backwards and
forwards like joy sticks. A control rod system is designed so that
the brain still thinks it is turning the front wheel like a normal
bike. This why it is easy to ride. I have not taken the time to
draft up plans of my design as of yet. I built it from ruff drafts.
I am working on a lowracer design using this configuration now that I
have the handling bugs worked out. Perhaps in the future plans will
be available. I will try to post some more picture of it in the near
future. Thanks again for your interest.
Dennis Renner
My reply:
Thanks for the quick response, Dennis. I can see from your videos and
you jig-work that you're a much more meticulous engineer than me. One
thing that would be a really useful study image would be a side view
of the whole bike, with a foot-rule laid between the wheels to get an
idea of sizes. The wheel base and head angle are crucial bits of info
too. Thanks for that. I already think that I'm going to have to
follow the trail you've unexpectedly opened up with this excellent
bike and see if I can build a FWD-RWS. Really exciting breakthrough.
Respect. Thanks! RhG
Dennis's second reply:
I will do. Give me a day or two as it is raining now. Sincerely
Dennis Renner
Hwyl fawr, Rhisiart G.
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