Showing posts with label recumbent. Show all posts
Showing posts with label recumbent. Show all posts

Sunday, January 14, 2018

Find the correct Boom distance for Lightning P-38 Recumbent

Its been raining non stop for the past 4 days and its not a ideal condition to ride. So I setup my trainer at my living room. To adjust the boom of the Lightning P-38 Recumbent. The first longish ride, I felt the distance was abit too short ( I move the boom all the way in). And this time I adjusted it 1 cm longer and tried out. It felt better but I am not too sure. Can recumbents and bike experts give me some advice? Thanks. 
Here's some of the video of the adjusted boom length.

Sunday, January 7, 2018

Lightning P-38 Recumbent

P-38 at Punggol end 
Recumbent bicycles are not readily available in Singapore and while I do have a few friends who own them, its not so easy to try riding one.  I was looking for a comfy version, something like what uncle KC had
Uncle KC and his KingsCycle Bent 

With google and Face book, it was easy and fascinating to read up on the design, development of the recumbents aka "Bents". So cool to see many people tinkered and made their own bents. I wish I got the time and garage space to do it. 
Here's the local SG bent community if u are looking for folks to cycle together.   Just for sharing, here are some link I read up on. 
Reading up, I noted one of the brand that had a long illustrated history is Lightning Dynamics cycle which you can read more in the company link.  
They reminded me of Alex Moulton, Bike Friday or the earlier days of Brompton company. I felt it was a company that was wholeheartedly into the recumbent product. Not too good at marketing. Just look at the retro website...  BUT if u look beyond, THEY have been around for a long time.  They seem to be folks who are out to make a good product and they KNOW recumbents. 
I really like the position of "sofa couch, nothing too dramatic or low slung(ferrari like). Just something comfortable to ride around and for long distances.  Anyway, I had too much bikes and it was just in the back of my mind.  I didn't really do much nor look around. Maybe a few emails to secure a 2nd hand overseas and that didn't worked out... mainly due to the shipping aspect.  It helped when it wasn't available or that u can visit a Bent shop in Singapore... haha... so I thought.   
Until we went for our year end holiday to Tokyo and Osaka. Frankly, 2017 was a really busy year with Momo at P4 and I changed job to Design in toilet/ bath space. So did not have much time to ride with LCSG this year sadly. We kind of booked the tickets , accommodation and just wing it using Trip advisor + Siri.  
At Kyoto, after visiting the deers and temples, we got some extra time and went to visit Loro Kyoto which wasn't too far away from we were. 

I researched earlier and they have a range of bends at hand around Asian. This is the place to go... I felt would be good to "check it out".  And hahah yes, after a while of test fit...  I got the P-38! 
It was too bulky to "bring back" myself and Yagi san help to arrange the shipping to Singapore. Thank you very much for your help Yagi San! 
The bike was hanging on the wall! That's Yagi san of Loro Kyoto 
After 16 days, it finally arrived to our sunny island on a friday evening. I spent about 2 hours unwrapping the meticulous packed bike and installing it. Referring to the photos, it wasn't too difficult and the next day early morning did some test ride around my neighbourhood park.  It took me about 5 min to be able to ride it wobbly around. It's a very different feeling and muscle group. I think I need more time to get used to it.  
Still, happy like a bird and looking to more rides with this bike! 
Here's how it came in and some photos of riding around the PCN. 
That's how it came to SG

Every part was neatly packed and wrapped with bubble wrap. The fork also had the anti crush support. Nice. 

The front fork 

Main body with steering column 

After 2 hours... its ready to ride! 





Thursday, June 16, 2011

Make ur own recumbent or bike. KC, this is for u!

 Found this while surfing around the web and made me think abit about our modern lifestyle. I mean how often when we think of our next bike, it would be straight to the bikeshop and purchase it. Of course, after all the googling of information on the world wide web, blogs and forums. We speak like we know it all, spouting angles, materials, methods like TIG welding, brazing, latest techno gizmos and what have u not. But most of us, including myself are just "www couch potatoes".  We never really got our hands dirty or did any real welding.. mods...(ok, I service my bikes abit and mod little.. but nothing like what this guy did!) This guy was amazing! He did the total opposite....  went to the junk yard, cobbled all this at home, in the kitchen space. Using basic tools like a hacksaw and a propane torch.  Really salute his ingenuity and passion.  Check it out!
 


Brazing work by Alexwetmore      Photo credits http://alexwetmore.org
Here is another cool dude by the name of Alexwetmore who mods/ make/braze his frame, racks and even  a canoe... Impressive!

Saturday, April 16, 2011

KC, relax rider, super duper rider, cool dude!

The legend... KC,  taken 24th Oct 2010
This is KC. I met him outside the food centre at Changi village during one of the Sunday rides. I remember that day clearly. It was 24th Oct 2010, Sunday where I brought the crew to the Giant guns and Changi chapel. Andy told me while eating his fishball noodle.."hey Taiwoon, u got to meet this guy..." So I did. Relaxing outside the hawker centre , holding a packet of teh-O (tea)was the man. He was riding his recumbent which he had for over 30 years.... So much so he couldn't find the correct rear tyre as the company which made the bike is already gone...
Now KC is a regular feature in the lovecycling Sunday rides.  Being one of the most experienced rider in the group,  KC shares his crazy ride stories... like riding to Penang!! Yes, that is riding from Singapore to Penang, my friends! Still he rides as a group, never showy but always ready to lend a hand to the newbies or anyone.  He changes tyres so fast that he can put the Ferrari mechanic to shame.
During a Sunday ride,  I once asked him how he started to ride and how he could ride so far.  His reply was... "I just started 2004 or so... then when I was the slowest riders in my group... and I told myself that I will train hard.. and with time I could keep up with others... it is not about the bike, just keep riding. Soon I was riding everywhere... " When he say anyway.... he really means anywhere
And I can go on and on and on about this amazing guy V24 engined super nice guy...  but nothing beats meeting him personally. So come on down and join us for a ride sometime! KC, it is my pleasure and honor to ride along side you! Keep on spinning and smiling!
Passing on knowledge, at Lifecycle.  Teaching other how to change/ patch up tyre...   
KC's  recumbent with ah long sticker 
Full steam ahead!
SG Indiana Jones