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Newbie ProblemsI've been riding and racing DF bikes since 1958. Last year, due to degenerative disk disease, I was forced to more or less abandon my beloved DF's for an Easy Racer Gold Rush recumbent. The Gold Rush was a good first choice for me - comfortable, easy to learn and ride. The downside to the Gold Rush is it's long wheel base and weight; which it make it a poor climber, and difficult to transport. After consulting with my Easy Racer forum buddies; I decided to purchase a Lightning P-38 Ultegra model. Tim B, was also nice enough to give me a very good deal on his compact carbon crank set. The bike arrived last week, and I have ridden it 3 times for about 1 1/2 hours each ride. So far, I've been very happy with the bike. In many ways, it is very similar to my Gold Rush - well made, predictable stable handling, and comfortable. It also climbs like a gazelle compared to my GRR. But I have had 2 problems:
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starting off on hills and water bottles
Hi Bob,
I like the Easy Racers bikes, and own an older steel Tour Easy. I agree with you that they have a nice smooth ride and are easy to learn. Hence the name "Easy Racers". I also agree that the Lightning bikes are easier to store and transport (due to the shorter frame) and climb better.
So the P-38 is an excellent climbing bike by recumbent standards. However, when the hills get really steep and long, a traditional upright bike still has the advantage. Even if you pare down the weight with superlight components, the recumbent will be at a steep hill climbing disadvantage. You cannot have everything optimized in a single bike.
Regarding the problem of starting on steep grades: The only thing I can think of is getting the lowest possible gears, and gearing down before you come to a stop. The largest standard rear cassette cog is 34t, and the smallest standard granny gear (assuming you are using a 130 / 74 BCD road triple crankset) is 24t.
If you do not already have these gears on your bike, you might consider doing a switch. On the Lightning site Tim Brummer suggests doing squat exercises to help new riders build up their hill climbing ability. I suppose it could help with starting on steep grades too.
The underseat water bottle cage placement can be tricky if you use an ordinary cage. If the cage is tight enough to securely hold the bottle when going over big bumps, it will be hard to get the bottle out when riding to drink! Loosen up the grip, and you will lose lots of bottles.
I vaguely remember Brummer endorsing one particular bottle cage, saying that it solved the problem. But I have forgotten which cage! Give him an email and ask, and let the rest of us know too.
Good luck with your new bike,
Joel Dickman
Joel - Thanks. I think that
Joel - Thanks. I think that Tim suggested a Specialized alloy cage. I'm using a Bontrager composite cage which I like because it is very secure, doesn't mark bottles, and is drilled for several different installations. By using a larger size bottle, and practicing, I think I'll eventually get the Zen of the P-38 water bottle management. Ditto for start ups. I'm using Tim's Lightning Compact carbon cranks with a 50/34; so I don't have quite the low gear of a triple. I'm a pretty strong rider however, (Silver Medal at Masters Nat's ITT a few years ago; and current and many times NY State age group ITT Champion ). With some practice, I'm sure I'll get the hang of it. I may find a quiet stretch of road or bike path; and simply practice starting up in higher gears to simulate hills.
Newbie 10 weeks , and 1000+ miles later
All my newbie issues resolved with time and miles. Overall, I'm just about as comfortable with my P-38, as I am with my Gold Rush. I'm getting by with my 50/34 and 12-27 cassette; but on some of the steeper hills, I would prefer a 32 or 34 in the back. But that would require a change of rear derailleur, and I'll just get by with what I have. Also wish that I could find a narrower front tire than the Schwalbe's that came with the bike. The fork clearance is minimal, and in order to avoid problems, I can't pump the tire over 90 pounds. Continental makes a narrower 406 tire; but I've been warned by Tim that it is very hard to install.
Under seat bottles non aero!
Sorry about late reply - I only check in occasionally.
I also had difficulties with the under seat bottles - they were tricky to re-insert and fell out a couple of times. I decided that they were catching too much air and probably slowing the bike. I removed them and now use a tube and nipple feeding from a bottle in the Lightning seat top bag.
Instead of using a flexible hydration pack, I have drilled a 6 mm hole in the top of a standard PET bottle top and the tube is a friction fit into that. You can buy a tube kit from camping stores that includes a little valve, but it's not really necessary.
The advantage is that I can use any PET bottle from 600 mils up to 1.5 litres and if the bottle gets a bit scummy, I throw it in the recycle and use a newer one.
To make the nipple easily accessible when riding, I attach it to a lanyard that goes around my neck. This places the nipple under my arm in easy reach.
Paul W
P-38
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