Henry Holmstrand's Homebuilt 'Easy Racer'-type Recumbent - 12/2005
Henry has just finished his 'Tour-Easy' type recumbent; one of the few in Sweden.
Check out the link in the lower part of his note for an interesting
recumbent building workshop!
Henry wrote...
"I have just finished a Tour Easy clone, my first acquaintance with
recumbents what so ever. It was a logical progression from the upright
bike, which tend to cause ache in wrists and - while in aero position -
neck. Of course, the ignition to this came as I stumbled across the Easy
Racers plans. I did not know how to braze, but who cares? I learned as
the building project went along, using an oxy-acetylene torch + silver
and brass. I still remember the enormous relief of sawing the main
bicycle frame apart. May strike you as odd, but those minutes were
probably the finest, together with painting the frame. Here is the
result, holding up even for rough riding, and very nice and comfortable
during the commute through central Stockholm. I would love to have it
posted on your site, if you see it fit. Maybe that can do something for
the very non-existing recumbent-building surge of Sweden...
"Hopefully I will have reached my normal average speed by summer, when
the recumbent-specific muscles are up to pace. However, as seen from the
clipped-in picture, I feel that the frontal area is on the high side.
Also, this is heavy stuff (40 lbs including ridiculous flag, excluding
bomb proof lock). As with cars, there is a coefficient of wind
resistance, and I think this position is far better in that respect when
compared to an upright position. It is noticeable in cold weather, since
the body takes less impact from wind chill.
"Next project, with a bearing on your wooden bikes, will be a - gasp -
wooden Bacchetta type SWB, 28" rear and 26" front. Still on the drawing
board. It will be light and aerodynamic, without suspension - a racer.
At this point, I have come to the conclusion that a hollow plywood beam
can be reinforced internally with carbon fiber rowing. The lamination
procedure can be very simple, and some wood might prevent the type of
cataclysmic rupture that can occur when using carbon only. It will be
cheap, with a minimum of metal work (dropouts and steering only), and
with a nice wooden finish.
"While at it, the seat could possibly be integrated with the main beam
by means of a tailcone. In that case, all components will contribute to
the overall strength, thus making the bike lighter. I am not entirely
sure about the tailcone though, since it will make the construction more
complicated. Why not have a look at http://www.blids.nl/gallery/PlywoodRecumbentBuildingworkshop2003 for
nice sandwiched plywood recumbents? Ugly but light weight, 14.8 kg final
according to the author of that page."