eBent Recumbent Cycling

March 2008 - Posts

• TerraCycle’s Longbikes Slipstream Idler Kit

  TerraCycle offers a Longbikes Slipstream Idler Kit that looks very nicely made. It replaces the rubber idlers seen on most recumbents with coged idlers that have high quality bearings. TerraCycle claims that the better idlers provide improved efficiency and quieter operation. This improvement is not inexpensive, $154 for the kit. I agree with TerraCycle’s explanation of why [...] Posted Mar 31 2008, 08:19 AM by eBent Recumbent Cycling Filed under: Equipment, Repair and Maintenance, Cranks and BBs, Longbikes Slipstream

• Bicycling Awareness

  Great Bicyling awareness video from the UK. I would love to see something like this appearing in the US Posted Mar 30 2008, 04:50 AM by eBent Recumbent Cycling Filed under: Recumbent Community

• Patagonia Web Sale - Save 30 - 60%

  The Patagonia Web sales are not as good as the Outlet Sales but they are alot easier to get to. You can check out the lates sale at Patagonia Web Specials. Check out the Rain Shadow Jacket at 50% off ($74.50), this is a nice cycling and off-bike rain jacket. [...] Posted Mar 27 2008, 02:05 PM by eBent Recumbent Cycling Filed under: Uncategorized

• How to remove Shimano HollowTech II Cranks

  I have my new shorter cranks but so far haven’t been able to get the Shimaano HollowTech II cranks that I am replacing off. Every time I start this job I find that I am missing another tool. Here’s a nice set of instructions with a tool list so you won’t have the same problem. INSTRUCTIONS [...] Posted Mar 25 2008, 01:06 AM by eBent Recumbent Cycling Filed under: Uncategorized

• Portland Bike Boxes

  Check out what Protland has done for bicyclists … bike boxes in the road. This is amazing and innovative. Cheers to Portland!!! You have just sealed that ranking as number 1 bicycling city in North America for me. Posted Mar 24 2008, 11:19 AM by eBent Recumbent Cycling Filed under: Travel, Recumbent Community

• Hobobikers from Northwest Territories to Panama

  I met Randy and Nancy in front of our local supper market about dusk. They were looking for a place to stay and spent the night with us.  Here’s the latest update from the amazing Randy and Nancy: Hello to all from the Hobobikers! We’re about halfway on our trip now! We’ve cycled almost 10,000 miles (16,000 kilometers) now [...] Posted Mar 24 2008, 11:06 AM by eBent Recumbent Cycling Filed under: Recumbent Community

• Hot Buy - Light Rain/Cool Weather Tights

  In light rain and often in the morning, I like to wear breathable tights not rain pants. Campmor is having a nice sale on Hind DryLite Tights,  $29.96 ($50 List). I have several pairs of Hind Tights and think they are very nice and a great buy. These tights are a little tighter than my favorites [...] Posted Mar 21 2008, 02:48 PM by eBent Recumbent Cycling Filed under: Hot Buys, Clothing

• My 2008 Cycling Sandals

  In 2008,  I am trying to do everything I can to eliminate the hip problem that kept me off of the bike for most of 2007.  Here’s my plan: 1. Go back to Power Gripsno more clipless pedals that are more efficient but also seem to put more stress on my hips and knees. 2. Shorter Cranks [...] Posted Mar 20 2008, 06:03 PM by eBent Recumbent Cycling Filed under: Uncategorized

• Slipstream Kick Stand Fix

  Greg Peek has a fix for the Longbikes Slipstream Kick Stand problem discussed in Slipstream Kick Stand Update. There may be more but this is what I’ve found on the Longbikes web site: Product upgrade announcement: Slipstream owners, if you have had problems with your ESGE 2 leg kickstand not staying tight to the frame, I finally made [...] Posted Mar 11 2008, 01:20 PM by eBent Recumbent Cycling Filed under: Slipstream/Vanguard Comparison

• How to Replace Crank Arms

  If you are replacing your crank arms with shorter cranks this video shows you how. You can also find this great video at  How to Replace Crank Arms at BikeTutor.com.    If you also have to replace the bottom bracket, here’s a great video on how to do that, How to Replace a Cartridge Bottom Bracket at BikeTutor.com.    [...] Posted Mar 08 2008, 06:02 PM by eBent Recumbent Cycling Filed under: Cranks and BBs

• How to Replace a Cartridge Bottom Bracket

  I have been investigating steps needed to install my short cranks when they arrive. Here’s how the UN54 68/115 (or 118) BB for the Slipstream will install. Make sure you have  the special  tool needed to install the BB before you start.  I use a Park BBT-2 Bottom Bracket Tool for Splined Bottom Brackets. Good video How to Replace a Cartridge [...] Posted Mar 07 2008, 09:44 AM by eBent Recumbent Cycling Filed under: Cranks and BBs

• Short Cranks with Q-Rings

  macpublish suggested in yesterday’s comments that I consider Q-Rings if I am changing cranks. I rode Shimano Bio Pace in days of old so really haven’t paid much attention to Q-Rings, the stories sound the same to me. However, this was the second time I heard that comment. So I decided to check a little [...] Posted Mar 06 2008, 11:53 AM by eBent Recumbent Cycling Filed under: Cranks and BBs

• So you want shorter crank arms - now what?

  Ok, I have decided that I want to replace the standard 170 MM  cranks on my Slipstream with 155 MM cranks more appropriate for my Hobbit legs. So I Googled and found almost nothing. Looks like the shortest commercial Road and MTB cranks are 165 MM. There are 155 MM and shorter cranks out there but [...] Posted Mar 05 2008, 09:25 AM by eBent Recumbent Cycling Filed under: Cranks and BBs

• Let Levi Ride - 49, 000 Heard so Far

  Please click on the picture above and join the fight to “Let Levi Ride”.  I have been very put off by the internecine battle that is destroying Bicycle Racing in Europe. That battle even more than the doping controversy has been very ugly. But watching the Tour of California last month, I was drawn back by [...] Posted Mar 04 2008, 05:02 PM by eBent Recumbent Cycling Filed under: Uncategorized

• Early Bicycle Patents Blog

  I know this may sound pretty nerdy but I was fascinated by the Blog Patent Pending, it has some great drawings from early bicycling patents and stories of technoloy development . Here are a few that caught my eye: 1. 1899 Pannier Patent 2. First Recumbent Bicycle Patent 1903 2. Bicycle Wheel, Rim, Spoke 1896 4. Roller Chain 1880 5. [...] Posted Mar 03 2008, 08:06 AM by eBent Recumbent Cycling Filed under: Recumbent Community, Uncategorized