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Conference noted::bicycle

Title: Bicycling
Notice:Bicycling for Fun
Moderator:JAMIN::WASSER
Created:Mon Apr 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3214
Total number of notes:31946

201.0. "Announcing the New Arrival" by LSMVAX::MILLER (Marketing, the oldest profession) Fri Jan 30 1987 13:07

Two weeks ago today, I received a call from Jim Weaver of Counterpoint
Conveyances, Ltd, telling me my new Opus III semi-recumbent tandem was ready
to ship. That was at 7:30 pm. Next day at 11:00 am, the delivery van pulled
up to our door with the new baby.
Of course I rushed right home to open the boxes....assembly took 2 hours.
Next day, the sun was shining, and there wasn't a heck of a lot of ice on
the road, so, naturally, we tried it out.
First impression....We're really gonna love this baby!
My wife, who has trouble pedaling due to knee and ankle injuries, fits nicely
on the front recumbant seat. She has some difficulties due to the fact
that she is "sticking " right out in front, but I pledged not to exceed
40 mph.
Chris Paulhus came to visit the baby, and passed favorable judgement on
it.
You all are welcome to come view the little (43lbs) sweetheart. Just give
us a call to be sure we're ready for visitors!
Now I can't wait for the next Bike Club meeting, so I can show her off (the
Opus, of course..not my wife).

Now, all I have to do is to learn the protocol of riding tandem. It *IS*
different!
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
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201.1 Front seat impressionsEUCLID::PAULHUSChris @ MLO 8-3/T13 DTN 223-6871Mon Feb 02 1987 15:1226
    Some First Impressions from the Front (recumbent) Seat:
    
    	I like the ability of the stoker to have a cadence (has own
    5 speed freewheel & cogs) relative to the "Captain". I like to spin
    90-100 on the level and 120+ on hills and accellerating. This is
    too high for many, but the Counterpoint accomadated the difference
    nicely.  There was sand on the roads when we tried it (this was
    back before the big snows) so we didn't tear around much, nor hit
    a high top speed (some day I'll tell you about a ride stokeing
    Randazzo's Santana!).  It was very stable with Gary's bulk in
    back, but with a Captain 100 lb. lighter (50 lighter than me), I'm
    a bit worried about unloading the rear wheel on braking.
    	The frame is TIG welded so you won't ooh and aww about the joints
    but it looks well done with oversized tubes where needed. The front
    tire is interesting: a very FAT Avocet 20" clincher. Never seen
    anything like it before (and I've seen some weird front tires on
    various recumbents). 
    	Question for experienced tandemists:  After a feet-down stop,
    do you ever have the Captain push off and have the stoker accelerate
    the bike, then let the Captain put his/her feet on the pedals? This
    would seem to let you avoid the low-speed initial wobble between
    push-off and the Captain getting on the pedals.  (I'd use Looks
    for the stoker, for sure, and whatever the Captain preferred.) The
    only problem with this technique that I can see is the Captain would
    have to learn to keep lower legs well clear of the spinning pedals
    after the initial push-off.  Any comments?  - Chris
201.2Sure Gary, the bikes nice, but...RUBY::MCCONNELLpo<FISH>ndThu Feb 26 1987 14:387
    Gary, I've met your wife.  You can show her off too!
    
    [Isn't that her picture hanging in the WILDWOOD ;-) ]
    
    /Greg, who_just_replaced_his_stolen_bike_and_is_oh_so_ready_for_spring