New to Forum Have LWB going to build New One

[GregLWB]

Hi, I've been lurking for about six months and this is my first post. I bought the Evil Genius book a while ago and was planning on building a delta trike this winter but have decided to build the Tourmaster first.

I currently am riding a LWB recumbent (LaBent by LaDue). I had him build the frame last winter and I did the rest. I commute on it 2 or 3 days a week to Salem, Oregon (53 miles round trip) and in September I installed a GEBE 35cc Robin/Subaru 4 stroke motor. The best mileage I have gotten was 212 mpg but my average is about 200 mpg. This is while riding at just under 30 mph.

I am excited about building the Tourmaster because I think it will solve two of the things I would like to improve on my bike (no more tiller steer and a full size tire on the front.

If in Salem you might see me some early morning on Hwy 22 or on Mission or State Street (long blue bike with yellow seat with really big guy riding it) riding really fast.

If someone is from the area I wouldn't mind helping on your project and maybe get some help on mine.

[SirJoey]

Hi Greg, welcome to the Krew!
Glad to see you're already "bent"! :D


http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/2839/thanksgivingsigsmalllu5.jpg

[KoolKat]

Hey Greg. Glad to see you here and that you registered OK. Thanks for your support, and looking forward to following your TourMaster building journey. :)

[pcorbett]

Hi Greg And Welcome,
I was a lurker myself for more than a year. I got over it this year and feel much better nowww. If this is your first AZ build you will find it very rewarding. TourMaster was not my first build and by far not my last. This bike has many things going for it. You can from a pile of junk build a complete and enjoyable ride you can be proud of. With the exception of the rod ends from junk. You may not be able to find long enough cables from junk, I bought tandem cables where needed but still the bike is made up of junk parts. Remember you can upgrade later on any of your parts. I worked from the plans and may I suggest to you that if you get the urge to modify, don't. Save it for your next TourMaster. This was a great project for me because I used up a bunch of bikes laying around and put me up higher on the food chain with my wife! I plan to paint three bikes this winter but first I need to get two HighRollers done, the first nearly done.
If I'm clever this may be a picture " http://forum.atomiczombie.com/showthread.php?t=1477 " Enjoy your build.

Peter

[GregLWB]

Thanks for the welcomes.

pcorbett - I will probably strip down most of my current bike when I get the frame built. It is 8 feet from tip to tip (I am 6'8" and 300 lbs) and I have been riding it since about April. I have upgraded many parts and so other than the rod ends and a heavy duty front wheel to match the triple wall Velocity wheel I have on the back I shouldn't have to buy anything.

My plan is to transfer my motor to the Tourmaster when I get it complete. I know most of you guys are into Electrics if you are gooing to motorize, but for the distance and speed I go it just wasn't practical at this point.

Another project I would really be interested in Brad building is a bike with a Pedal Forward Design (like an Electra Townie) but in the SUB style like a Yuba Mundo or a Surly BigDummy. Something like this would be fun for around town and I would electrify it.

[John Lewis]

G'day Greg,

Seems you've already learned the joys of being bent.

Welcome to the madness here. You are hooked now and there is no way out.

How much pedalling is included in th milage you are getting?

John Lewis

[Radical Brad]

Greetings!

Brad

[GregLWB]

How much pedalling is included in th milage you are getting?

John Lewis[/QUOTE]

I built this because I am diabetic and I needed more excercise so I pedal all the time except when on a flat or down hill over ~26 mph (running a 54 front and a 11 tooth rear for my fastest gear) because of dead spots in the pedaling affects balance.

Greg

[John Lewis]

How much pedalling is included in th milage you are getting?

John Lewis

I built this because I am diabetic and I needed more excercise so I pedal all the time except when on a flat or down hill over ~26 mph (running a 54 front and a 11 tooth rear for my fastest gear) because of dead spots in the pedaling affects balance.

Greg[/QUOTE]

Good to be able to get the exercise and have that assist when needed Greg.

Yes, I was curious as to what the motor only milage might be. I suspected you must have had pedal input to get your quoted milage. Must make you smile every time you pass a gas pump. :)

John Lewis

[GregLWB]

John, I tried not pedalling very much once and it was wasn't as much fun (I like the assist otherwise might as well get a scooter) but to answer your question I still got almost 190 mpg and my bike is heavy and I am big (6'8", 300 lbs).

But I am definitely a 'Bent rider forever never to go back to DF style bikes.

Greg

[John Lewis]

John, I tried not pedalling very much once and it was wasn't as much fun (I like the assist otherwise might as well get a scooter) but to answer your question I still got almost 190 mpg and my bike is heavy and I am big (6'8", 300 lbs).

But I am definitely a 'Bent rider forever never to go back to DF style bikes.

Greg
Impressive figures Greg. Always wondered about the economy figs on these bike rigs.

Yes I agree it no fun if you're not pedalling. I like the assist for the hills or if I'm towing a trailer load. Of course we are legally only allowed 200Watts which is about 1/4 horsepower so it's only ever mild assist.

Dead right on the bents. I'll never go back either.

John Lewis

[GregLWB]

Must make you smile every time you pass a gas pump. :)

John Lewis[/QUOTE]

Filled my tank yesterday from empty for less than a quarter. The guy had to go inside to get me some change!!! I laughed all the way home!!!

Greg