[python] Re: Intro
- From: Michael Rienstra <ageless@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: python@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 11 May 2004 17:27:33 -0700
Hello Paul,
I have very little experience, but I can share what I've read online.
I am pretty good with wood and have a Cabinetmaking college degree and
some tools. This means I have an interest in making some parts out of
wood
:)
You've probably seen some of the websites devoted to wooden recumbents,
if not, Google around, there are some cool designs.
Do you think the bike would be drivable with hand cranks?
The thing to keep in mind with the Python is that there are very few
experienced pilots, so there are many unknowns. So although I would
love to build a totally customized Python, I've decided to start with
the standard design (P3), see if I can learn to ride it, then start
design my dream Python. But obviously you are free to do as you like,
and I am hardly "the voice of experience", in fact, quite the opposite!
I just read and think a lot.
I was thinking of making the fairing partly out of cedar strip's like a
canoe as I had all the tools and bits to do this and it seems like it
would produce a fairly light, but strong fairing. I think it would
possible be strong enough to actually be the main part of the frame.
Any
comments on this type of construction?
The fastest bike in the world (the Varna Diablo, piloted by Sam
Whittingham) has a carbon fiber monocoque frame, so your bike would be
in good company! It was in 2002 that the Varna Diablo exceeded 130 kph
(81 mph!), and in 2003 they set a new record with a 1-hr average of
83.71 kph (52.3 mph!).
I am pretty short at 5"4' and my in-seam is around 29 inches. This
means
that using a 700c front wheel like I saw on the YPE web page is out. I
think I will have to go with a 20" wheel(sorry not familiar yet with
all
the metric sizing for wheels)
For a good primer, check out Shelton Brown's article on tire sizing:
http://sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html
I am also curious how pedaling affects the riding of the bike.
Can you make a long wheel base model and have the cranks behind the
front
wheel? and what problems does anyone for see by making a longer
wheelbase
model?
One thing to keep in mind is that as the wheelbase goes to infinity,
the hanging pendulum effect disappears. I assume that would make the
bike very twitchy.
Keep in mind I would like to make a fairing and will need high speed
stability.
You may have seen this already, but just in case you haven't, here's a
quote from one of Jürgen's emails to this list (
//www.freelists.org/archives/python/01-2004/msg00054.html ) :
"Front fairing is not the best idea on center-steered bikes, because
when turning you have to move the whole weight of the fairing. Tail
fairing will be a good idea especially if you can integrate the seat
with it. I want to realize it, when I build my Carbon Python this
summer."
Michael
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