Yet another Maurader question

[JayinTexas]

Hey folks,

Been away for a while but have been getting quite a bit of bike riding in. Anyway, I'm finally making the move to get starting building my Maurader and while planning out the build I was wondering if being in that sitting position for a while would take it's toll on your neck and if there would be a benefit in adding a head rest on the seat.

Thoughts?? Or do you think not necessary.

Thanks,
Jay

[Radical Brad]

A neck rest is nice for really long rides (>2 hours), but a head rest will make things really bad due to road vibrations.

Brad

[savarin]

A neck rest is nice for really long rides (>2 hours), but a head rest will make things really bad due to road vibrations.

Brad

and, this may just be a personal thing but I find my balance sense drops when using the head rest on 2 wheels.

[John Lewis]

I've not found the need for a headrest. Our tadpole trikes are pretty laid back and it felt odd at first but we soon adjusted and the neck muscles adapted. My Maruder seat is about the same or a bit more recline. Unfinished so I've only sat on it to try. Feels much like the trike so it should not be a problem. I tried a trike with headrest and as Brad says the vibration is a problem. Over here we are required to wear helmets. Most modern helmets are not conducive to headrests because theyare aero shape.

John Lewis

[JayinTexas]

Hey thanks for the replies and good points. I didn't think about the sensation of losing balance due to laying your head back but with that point being made, I could see myself having that problem as well....particularly while riding a recumbant bike.

I got to tell you....I salvaged the perfect headrest from a piece of excercise equipment, but I'll save that for another project. Maybe I can add it to a chair.

I have a coworker who has his own welding rig at home so I already have him lined up to do the welds for me.

More later....

Jay

[JayinTexas]

I've been mulling the build over and have been coming up with some ideas.....note that I didn't say they were good ideas.

The plan is to build two frames at the same time. One per the Maurader2 plans and the other with some modifications. I've got an idea for a slightly different frame and steering setup.

I'll be picking up the frame materials this week so it won't be long before the project begins.

Jay

[GregLWB]

The plan is to build two frames at the same time. One per the Maurader2 plans and the other with some modifications. I've got an idea for a slightly different frame and steering setup.
Jay

Jay - just for my own curiousness, why two at the same time? Why not just the one with modifications?:)

Greg

[Patrike]

Jay - just for my own curiousness, why two at the same time? Why not just the one with modifications?:)

Greg


I am leaning toward Greg on this one, kinda sorta - I would say focus on one - If you got an ich to mod it before it's built then yah build the one with modes first. We as humans don't do well multitasking. You will more then likely get a better build - which ever one you choose - if you are focused on just that one. That's why Ford's invention of the assembly line was so successful - workers focused on one thing at a time!

Good luck no matter how you tackle this.

[JayinTexas]

Hey folks - my biggest problem is I'm impatient. Well....at least when it comes to building stuff like this. A couple of things though....I don't want to delay an exact replication of the Marauder2. I love the design of that lowracer. And if I were to build a frame with the mods first, it likely would delay the build quite a bit as the frame will be made out of a different size and shape tubing material. But by building both at the same time, at least the frame part, I can have the added benefit of comparing the concept build with the proven build.

The other thing is if I build the Marauder2 first, then I'll probably never get to the modified frame version because I would be out riding the M2:)


I've got the perfect setup for giving the M2 is first major roadtest. There are about 30 bike riders that ride a 40 mile round trip from a local university to a small town near where I live each Saturday. I can see it now, I'll catch them on the four lane highway about 6 miles from the university and show them how it's done.............or I'll make a fool out of myself.

Jay

[trikeman]

Jay - have you ridden a recumbent before? If not you need to be aware that it will take some time for you to build up your recumbent muscles. Most people are slower on a recumbent at first (2-6 months), so don't bet the farm on beating your buddies at first.

[JayinTexas]

I hear ya. I'll have to allow a little time for getting used to riding the M2. I don't know those bike riders personally. They are a group from Texas A&M University that ride in full gear....looks like the tour de france.

Although, I'm no slacker on a traditional bike and from observing their perfomance on their Saturday rides, I could definately give them a run for their money if not out ride most of them on my current hybrid bike.

Cheers,
Jay

[GregLWB]

I hear ya. I'll have to allow a little time for getting used to riding the M2. I don't know those bike riders personally. They are a group from Texas A&M University that ride in full gear....looks like the tour de france.

Although, I'm no slacker on a traditional bike and from observing their perfomance on their Saturday rides, I could definately give them a run for their money if not out ride most of them on my current hybrid bike.

Cheers,
Jay

You should get together with JimFPU once he gets his motor assist and the two of you could race past them and then stop along the way at a coffee shop and sit out front waving at them as they go by. Then jump back on your rides and repeat a couple of times.:jester::jester: LOL! Sorry, I guess I'm in one of those moods today!:rolleyes4::jester:

Greg