2 questions

[Michael]

What is the average build time on the Meridian?

How well does it handle hills (ascending & descending)?

I live in the hilly Piedmont region of north Georgia, and hill climbing prowess is my biggest concern.

I'm trying to decide between the two trikes and the meridian.

Thanks,

Michael

[AtomicZombie]

How bad are these hills? Are you planning to carry cargo? Any thoughts of adding an electric assist?

Brad


What is the average build time on the Meridian?

How well does it handle hills (ascending & descending)?

I live in the hilly Piedmont region of north Georgia, and hill climbing prowess is my biggest concern.

I'm trying to decide between the two trikes and the meridian.

Thanks,

Michael

[Bill Cahill]

Hi Michael, olyumabill here. I built my meridian in 7 days, start to riding. I is a very easy bike to build and Brad did a great job with the plans. I did mine just a little different though. I went to WalMart and bought a Mt bike for $60.00, Cut the entire back section off the frame and it fit Brads frame perfectily. It is my 4th bike from Brads plans and the easist one yet. Just go for it. olyumabill

[Michael]

How bad are these hills? Are you planning to carry cargo? Any thoughts of adding an electric assist?

Brad

How bad are these hills?

-Not too steep, but very long inclines.

Are you planning to carry cargo?

-No

Any thought of adding an electric assist?

Not really. I want to conquer them! There's this huge hill leading out of my neighborhood that I have to conquer on a bike without any help.

[Michael]

Hi Michael, olyumabill here. I built my meridian in 7 days, start to riding. I is a very easy bike to build and Brad did a great job with the plans. I did mine just a little different though. I went to WalMart and bought a Mt bike for $60.00, Cut the entire back section off the frame and it fit Brads frame perfectily. It is my 4th bike from Brads plans and the easist one yet. Just go for it. olyumabill

That sounds encouraging! I'm not rich in patience. NOW NOW NOW. I love all of the designs. I have a feeling that I will build the Meridian and then build the delta sometime later...

[Michael]

Would using an independent MT bike suspension basically build a marauder?

[trikeman]

Pretty much yeah, but obviously the frame is slightly different, since the Meridian is more of a civilized high racer, and the Marauder is a lean mean (and low) fighter jet. I would also recommend a mega-range rear sprocket for hills. It gives you a stump pulling gear, without sacrificing the high end. You can also build the marauder without suspension. The plans for the original marauder are in Brad and Kat's first book.

Here is my mega-range mounted on the DW wheel and axle

http://www.atlantamusclecars.com/DeltaWolf/MegaWolf.jpg

That big ole sprocket helps a lot,. The whole thing came off an old thrift store mongoose, as I recall. You usually need a large derailer to use a mega range, so its good to find an old bike with it if you can.

It is harder to pedal my DW up a steep hill than my wedgie road bike, since I can't stand up on the DW. You might try this test - try to ride a regular bike up one of your steep hills without standing up. If you can make it up, you can probably peddle a Meridian with the same gearing up the same hill.

[TheKid]

I had my Meridian ridable in 3 days. It was great on hills, even with long inclines. I originally put a mega freewheel on it, but I found I didn't need it. I live in a relatively flat area but there are some long, fairly steep hills. I used the mega freewheel on other bikes. The deraillers for them are relatively inexpensive, as low as $10. But I used t regular deraillers as well. As long as they have a "B" adjustment, there shouldn't be any problem. Also, you may not be able to use a chainring larger than 44 teeth.

[SirJoey]

...You usually need a large derailer to use a mega range, so its good to find an old bike with it if you can.

I was lucky on mine. Got an old donor for $11 that had the whole works! Freewheel, chainrings & both ders!

THAT'S what I'm talkin' 'bout!

http://64.136.20.22/1267829_l.jpg?download=1