I rode over to DTEK today for a tryout session, as suggested by Kevin as a way of getting some understanding of what recumbents are about. I'd previously enjoyed a few miles on Tom_e's ICE B2. Below are my brief impressions from short rides (all less than 4km), and I don't know what I am taling about, so feel free point out where I am wrong.
Rather than sticking to SWBs, Kevin started me on a BikeE.
It looks like a little old ladies bike, but despite that, it was a hoot to ride. I think anyone could ride one of these and have fun. You don't go very fast, but the view was nice. Next was a FWD bike. I forget what it was, but it dispelled the notion I had that FWD would be weird in corners. I didn't get a pic.
Next up was something callled a ... erm... Bevo, maybe? Kevin described it as a medium wheelbase bike, and it had elastomeric suspension at the back. I forget what it was like.
Next up was the Bacchetta Bellandaire, as made famous by RichForrests exploits on the End of Hibernation, IIRC. It was brilliant. I understand LWB aren't very fashionable, but it felt light, quick and comfortable compared to what went before, and was an absolute doddle to ride. I really liked it.
Next up was a Giro20. It was a good fit for me, and it few. I got Kevin to drop the seat back, and it felt quick. Very easy to ride, and the discs were excellent. I'd be happy on this bike.
Next up was a Strada. This was too small for me, but I liked the Euromesh more than the Recurve seat, and I loved the light weight, but missed the discs.. It made me pretty sure that the Giro 26 ATT would be perfect for me.
That was it for two wheelers; on to trikes First up was the Thorax, which is apparently the old german Crystal Engineering importers take on the Ross Trikes
It felt a bit agricultural, but was alright. Comfy enough.
Next up was a Catrike Speed. It flew along, but the steering was very hectic. The steering felt almost digital, but because it was so low, you never felt like it would flip - it would just understeer. Great fun for messing around, but I don't think I'd want to do very long miles on it because of the steering.
Next was a Windcheeter Club Sport. John, another customer, had tried it and loved it. I hated it. The steering was utterly unintuitive to me, I found it hard to stay in the seat, and the seat was uncomfortable, it showed up road camber more than any of the others, and the brakes were inadequate. I was happy to get off it. Too scary for me.
Next was the ICE sprint. It was immense. Handling was utterly confidence inspiring - two wheel cornering was fun rather than scary. The seat was super-comfy, the brakes immense, and the finish was wonderful. If my missus hadn't banned me from anything lower than a SWB, I'd jump at one. It felt utterly sorted.
Last up was a HPV Scorpion (behind the ICE in the pic above). This had rear suspension, and was heavier than the ICE, but it also felt great, and also had very confidence inspiring handling. Really Nice bike
At the end of it all, the conclusion I came to is that I need to spend some decent tme on some of the quicker high racers, particularly the Giro 26 ATT and the ICE B2 with the OC bars. Kevin mentioned that ICE are updating their bike range, and his next shipment will be the revised ones, so I am going to go back when they are in.
He was very generous with his time, and it was a brilliant day out.
