2022  Cycle-Con - It’s in the books

It was quite a show! Although the number of cyclists riding recumbents continues to grow it is still a small percentage compared to mainstream cycling. And although there are a growing number of dealers where you can view or try out a recumbent that resource is rather thin across North America. That is why the Montgomery County Fairgrounds  in Dayton, Ohio was such a Mecca for the recumbent  enthusiasts and the just plain curious the weekend of October 7th thru 9th, just past. They came by the hundreds and were not disappointed. 

Recumbent Cycle-Con was cancelled the past two years because of the Covid-19 pandemic. There was a danger that this year’s event would also be cancelled as the  organizer and owner Charles Coyne wanted to retire. Faced with this dilemma and the likely demise of Recumbent Cycle-Con, Wiz Wheels the manufacturer of Terra Trike and Greenspeed Trikes  boldly undertook to purchase the assets of Mr Coyne’s operation with the goal of not only insuring there would be a 2022 Cycle-Con but the concept of a non-partisan Cycle-Con show would continue in future years.

 Manufacturers  from around the globe and/or their agents/distributors were there in force with an inventory of dozens upon dozens of models….all available for anyone to take for a test drive on the gravel or paved track. There was every configuration imaginable.When the doors opened to the first dealers on Friday morning a trickle quickly turned into a deluge as dealers from across the continent streamed in anxious to see, compare, and try the offerings.

After signing a waiver, you were free to approach any cycle display in the huge centre and request the opportunity to ride any cycle there. Requests were quickly granted, machines adjusted to fit you and with a few safety instructions you were sent out to the test track. It was a steady stream out one door, back in the return, and onto your next machine. On Saturday and Sunday the Cycle-Con was opened to the public. The deluge turned into a flood. It continued for a total of three days. Smiles and exhaustion were evident on the faces of exhibitors and attendees by closing on Sunday afternoon!

Many recumbent dealers have a machine or perhaps several in stock that you can book an appointment to try. At 2022 Cycle-Con there were a couple dozens exhibitors with dozens upon dozens of machines. From deltas to tadpoles, from budget to deluxe, from three wheel to two wheelers, even quad-4 wheels, rigid  frame to articulating tandems, racing tires to fat tire, all terrain, adaptive units for those with various physical limitations, suspension- none, partial and complete,  fixed to chain derailers to gearboxes to automatic shifters….. and e-assist of every sort.

If you missed it you can watch some of the many videos and reports that will be coming up on The Laidback Bike  Report. But the best way would be to check your calendar for October 2023 Cycle-Con again expected in Dayton Ohio

I’ll post some pictures and I have some interviews I did. The new trike is ordered but not yet delivered. Watch for the details

Let's Get Back to Living 

It has been two years since I lost my wife Norma, my Pearl of the Orient. We were just nicely into this dreaded pademic then and it is only now we are able to travel freely again. In spite of being reasonably careful and fully vaccinated I still managed to contract a mild case of Covid-19 last July and fortunately was not very ill and only managed to pass it on to one other that I know of. Got my 5th shot this week and hope I manage to travel this winter without another bout.

It will be different heading south without my Pearl of the Orient. We were married for 51 years, 5 months, and 7 days. Although Norma vocally insisted I was crazy getting "that stupid trike", she became it's biggest fan when she saw how it inspired me to exercise and regain a healthy life style. I still heartily enjoy pedaling my butt up and down the road.

I've been pretty silent on this blog the last couple of years but I notice a number of visitors still touch base to see if I'm still kicking.

Old Rover II must have well over 45,000 km on it by now and is still rolling along just fine. It is probably due for some maintenance and TLC but I'd rather be riding than tinkering and it's just a very reliable ride. Like the Hot Rod Lincoln, "the brakes are good and the tires are fair"

Update on E-assist

Two years ago I purchase a TSDZ-2 from Eco Cycles... great people. I was going to put it on another trike- a used Terra Trike Tour II, however before I got all the way into that project, one of the clutches in my Bafang BBSO2 B  after what has to be +25,000 km of hard use started jumping so I shuffled the TSDZ 2 onto Rover. I will overhaul the old Bafang, I think, but again tinkering vs riding... an easy decision, particularly when the logistics of getting repair parts with border restrictions was difficult and costly. Interestingly some of the cables, controls and displays were interchangeable between the two systems.

Which is best?

I don't think one is better. They are just different.

1. The batteries are the same size but the TSDZ is 52 V vs 48V for Bafang. Mounting ia different Q-TACH but either unit could run either voltage by changing settings
2. Range is about the same but generally go a bit faster (22-26 kph) with TSDZ2 as you have to keep presure on pedals to maintain power. tend to coast a little more with the Bafang. The controller software and firmware in the BBSO2B is much different than the cheap controller packages I have on a trishaw with a Bafang hub motor ( I don't like that trishaw e-assist package)
3. The TSDZ 2 has a brass reduction gear that is noticeably noisier at slow speeds in lower gears  than the BBSO2B. At higher speeds (+20 kph) road noise and "old ears" don't notice it. That noise was initially worse but dropped as the gear "seated in"
4. Have a double front  (44T and 52T) but never use the 44 as few hills here. I run 55-60 cadence w standard cranks and often run in 6th or 7th on the cassette for better wear life than on the 11 tooth 8th. Most of my miles are on the highway Around town I pooch along at maybe 15 kph. I do not have a shifter on the front chainrings as I rarely shift. It is simpler to take hold of the chain tube and lift it up or down onto the desired chainring
5. The BBSO2B seems to have more power and runs cooler than the TSDZ 2 which has the extra packing of thermal paste. It gets warm after a two hour 40 km ride on a summer daybut not "hot" per se. The Bafang never gets more than just warm.
6. The newer display that came with the TSDZ 2 is much brighter but it does not have a watt meter like the Bafang.

What Else?

Lots of things, I just haven't written about. Really looking to getting down to Recumbent Cycle Con in Dayton next weekend. Will be doing some interviews. Love to talk to anyone. I'm about ready to invest in a new trike and have my "wants & needs" list.

I need:

1. Suspension: My old arthritic neck needs some relief and maybe a head rest too. Full suspension or just rear?
2. It must fold- quick & easy Tired of hauling a trike over 1000 miles of salt and sand and worrying about the thieves.
3. It must take an e-assist system. I am happy with my TSDZ-2 and cost wise it wins hands down. That being said I like to try one of those RR systems
4. Rear big wheel to avoid deraileur in the dirt.

I want:

1. To try a rear geared hub. I don't need 15 gears. I rarely if ever use the grannies on the cassette. Whats happening with the redesigned 5 speed Sturmey-Archer. Sure like to try one
2. An enclosed trike for bad weather. Not a velomobile I cannot get in or out of and that cannot go over a railroad crossing or a pot hole
3. What's happening with fairings? Terra Cycle Wind Wrap which I have used won't quite cut it for we poor souls who cannot go south but still need to trike. This picture from Osoyus, B.C, a.k.a. Lotus Land in 2016/17 amply demostrates the problem! 

See the problem?

Looking forward to seeing you on the trails or at Dayton Recumbent Cycle Con

Still Bent

It has been a long two years since my last posts My wife Norma, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in early 2019. Chemo therapy and isolating to protect her immune system brought remission by late 2019 and we looked forward to expanding our social circle back to normal. Then Covid 19 reared its ugly head so once more we hunkered down to wait it out. Then in mid 2020 the multiple myeloma came back with avengeance. On September 19, 2020, Norma, my Pearl of the Orient peacefully slipped away from me. It has left an awesome pothole in my life.

When I discovered recumbent trikes in late 2015 Norma was my greatest skeptic. "You're going to kill yourself on that stupid thing!" was her often repeated remark. But as she saw my enthusiasm gain, my health improve, and no more of the scrapes and road rash I suffered with my old mountain bike fade into obscurity, she became my biggest Bent on a Budget fan. 

"Maybe you should get a better carrier? How about some better lights and a neon yellow hoodie? Why don't you put your trike in the living room, so it's safe?" were offered and never a suggestion anything was too extravagant. No longer had to worry if the Budget might be Bent.

With Norma gone.... but Covid 19 still having me nailed down, my faithful old Rover II still has me wheeling up and down the road. Border closings have removed virtually all the tourist traffic from our #11 Hwy so I am pretty free to roll. Winter is now upon us, but the weather has been unseasonally mild... so far... so here I am on January 13, 2021. just back from a brilliant winter ride with the temperature up to the freezing mark, dazzling sunshine, and no wind. Rover II with it's  winter Windwrap Fairing, flashing Cygo lights, and Bafang BBSO2B e-assist is functioning beautifully. But it probably will need some neglected seasonal maintenance soon.

Tomorrow threatens a major storm with wind, freezing rain, and snow. That Arctic Vortex may come rushing in from Siberia and outdoor riding may be over for a month or two. But that's OK. The used Terra Trike Tour II I picked up in 2019 with plans to turn into a velomobile is sitting on a Sprortscrafters Roller in front of the TV. It makes a perfect seat for watching the news and peddling along. The Wahoo sensors I installed show me my cadence and speed, letting me get an hour or two of leg exercise. I tried syncing it with a  couple cycle training programs from Zwift and Rouvy but found those programs more suited to racers not old fuddy-duddies like me that are just interested in casually enjoying their ride and the scenery. Something for the winter while Covid has me tied down

But I do have other plans for the spring. I am building up another trike, Perhaps you've heard of the "Lost Recumbemt". It is a leaning trike invented and perfected by Dave Ashenbrenner some 40 years ago. Dave in retirement in Florida decided to revive his dream and is fabricating a few complete units and also frame kits for the AR3 Kazebike. Google it. I will be cannibalizing parts from my Tour II to assmble the unit.

It will be e-assist, and although the Bafang BBSO2B has served me very well, I have ordered a Tongsheng TSDZ2 Unit. This has torque rather than cadence assist and at 500watt rating is 'legal' in Canada while the BBSO2B and 750watt setting bends the rules. I had considered the TSDZ back in 2016 but at that time there were reliability and distribution concerns. So I will have some new experiences in triking.

I also have a couple of mods I made on my Rover  II now at well over 35,000km I will detail in coming posts.

How about the theme of Bent on a Budget. I have changed my outlook. 

Rememder this, "You will run out of time before you run out of money"

 

You saved my life. Thank you Rover II

As I start in to my 4th year with well over 25,000 km on Rover II it's time to say thank you to this ingenious little machine for saving my life. We all know we need to exercise, but it is so much easier and effective if it's something you thoroughly enjoy. I do!

Three years back I could not stand to ride my DF more than a few miles without terrible back and knee pains. So much so I simply wouldn't ride it much. I was overweight, diabetic, and suffered from leg cramps, mainly at night. Fortunately I took a tumble off the old DF and after much fretting and searching purchased a Rover. I knew nothing about recumbent trikes and have kept this blog to recount what I have learned.

Over the last year, nothing much new has happened with my Rover II. Maintenance and repairs have been minimal, but the enjoyment I get from spinning those pedals every day, generally for 50 km has stayed constant. The weight and blood sugar is under control, the back and knees are fine, and the leg cramps... simply gone.

I don't think I have much more to contribute to this blog that is relevant to the title bentonabudget. I've pretty much blown the budget part.... according to my wife. But I think the investment was very worthwhile, and has paid me substantial dividends. No regrets

A quick summary of the best additions I have made to the Rover as I went along.

• SPD pedals and shoes
• Cygo Hotshot Rear light
• Mirracycle Mirrors
• 24" Rear Wheel, Big Ben Tires
• 3 speed front ring (before E-assist)
• E-Assist Bafang BBS02B w 13.5ah 48v Battery

My last upgrade was adding a set of front fenders when I found two sets of 26" plastic fenders on the clearance shelf at Walmart. I put the rear pair in the oven @ 300F for 10 minutes and then using a pair of oven mitts bent them over a twenty inch wheel to reshape them to the smaller curve. I then mounted them using RAM one inch ball hardware. Works great on most any direct steer trike (see Rover forum post in TerraTrike forum). I'll post some pictures later.

So that is it. Bentonabudget probably will not have any new posts. I'll leave this blogspot up in case some momentous thing comes up, but more reasonably as a reference should someone care to look. So far this blog has been visited 5578 times. To all you who looked hope you found it worth it.

I am keeping Rover II and expect to ride it for many more years. It goes as fast and as far as I want, but I have a new project in mind... a velomobile.... of some sort. I don't need or want to go any faster, but I do need a way to be comfortable in those sub-zero Canadian winters. Florida has provided that option so far, but may not be a future option. My Windwrap faring does a decent job to just below freezing, but below 10F it simply isn't good enough.... that leaves about 4 months Dec thru March unrideable in my neck of the woods.

So what velomobile? A dedicated one? A kit? A trike conversion? How about a coroplast? Something to look forward to.

Can you stop?

With lots of kms... 15,000ish... on Rover II I have never had any trouble stopping and although I had replaced the brake pads on my Alhonga brakes last summer, they didn't really need it. I had read many posts toting how much better Avid BB7s were but had no complaints until last week when my right caliper failed. A loud 'click' and no brakes.

Off with the old disk. These 160mm Alhonga disks were still in decent condition
but were not compatible with new calipers. To work on unit I simply turned the trike on its sidepulled the wheel of the axle, flipped it over and re inserted onto axle.
While I had it off I checked the smoothness of the wheel bearings and since I could feel a bit of roughness, gently removed the bearing seals (they simply pop right back in) with a small pick, gave the bearings a few drops of synthetic 180 hd gear oil in a 100cc ink cartridge refill syringe. I keep in my tool kit. Have spare bearings as well but don't think I will need to change till next spring. The bearings on this wheel are the originals.

I removed the unit and the actuator arm was 'sticky and crunchy'. I pulled it apart as far as I could get it and prepared to order a new set of Avid BB7s. My first search on Amazon for same came up with a 'good as Avid BB7 replacement brake set' only 28 bucks delivered for both complete w new rotors.  A few dozen positive reviews and one very negative. What the heck $28 vs $135 for the genuine Avid BB7s. What could possibly go wrong.

The new AfterPartz disk rotor and caliper installed (and ready to fail) and the wheel back in place

The delivery was prompt. The contents of the box looked good. But there was no instructions and no link to same to be found. No problem I plunged on ahead. A disk brake set is a disk brake set, right? I looked at the Avid sight for BB7s and BB5s and followed along. Put on the rotor... no problem. The hardware for the caliper mount was identical to what the Alhonga used... seems standard on all disks and most kits come with two different sets of mounts depending on configuration. Mounted up, adjusted, and hooked up the cable.

Time to test, Spin the wheel, apply the brake and 'click!' The actuator arm moves forward and tension applied to the disk is lost. Spent a half day trying to figure out why. Gave up in disgust and installed the other caliper. Seemed okay, took for ride next morning after 5km, 'Click!' No pressure on disk.. Disconnected cable, fiddled with actuator arm, seemed to reset. Reconnected cable readjusted and resumed ride. After 45 km, pulling into the elevator lobby at the condo, 'Click!' No brakes.

There followed a whole series of emails with the supplier, Amazon and vendor AfterPartz. Someplace in there I gave up and ordered a set of Avid BB7s again from Amazon. They arrived promptly and I installed per their excellent series of YouTube videos ( pretty much the same procedure as used on the AfterPartz. The Avid BB7s worked flawlessly. Beautifully modulated and effective.

AfterPartz had offered several times to send me a replacement set, a discount, or a refund (No need to return the original set). I accept the refund.

Curiosity had to be satisfied. I took the AfterPartz units apart several time to see if I could determine why they failed to work. It is easy to disassembleThe following points were noted:

1. There were traces of 'tramp' material inside the body of the caliper, that was probably preventing the ridge on the inside ramp from mating firmly with the notch in the caliper body. This ridge/notch keeps the inside ramp from rotating. Rotation would cause the bearings in the actuation ramp to slip back into neutral position.
2. If the actuator arm was applied too fully without a disc inserted between the pads, it could again cause the ridge in the bottom ramp to slip out of the notch in the body causing slippage.
3. There is no lubricant inside the caliper mechanism. What does that portend to service life?
4. There are no thrust bearings in the mechanism.

The guts of the Alhonga Caliper: Complex
engineering and a bear to reassemble. I may
do that when I'm home in the spring. Sorry
about picture quality!

The Alhonga Caliper, I did manage to finally disassemble it. It is quite impressive internal engineering with a ball bearing w cage between two races for a thrust bearing. It was well lubricated and no noticeable corrosion. I suspect the failure is the surface of the cam ramps or the ball bearings that roll on them but I need a magnifying glass to examine. These peepers just aren't up to it unaided.

My new brakes are all installed, run in and with even a fresh set of cables. So I am no longer screaming warnings as other pedestrians, pets, and cyclists scatter when I approach.

Ride on!

Fall Maintenance

To work on Rover II, I suspend the rear of the bike from the garage ceiling by means of a tarp strap hooked into the carrying case on my rear rack. I then lift he front of the trike cruciform onto two adjustable jack stands. This provides a stable platform and I sit on a crate to work on the trike. Comfortable for me and it just works without having to hoist the whole weight up onto a stand. (Also tipped it over the other day to inspect the cruciform for cracks as reported in Forums. There are none that I can see.

Just about ready to head south, but wanted to do some maintenance while I still have access to all my tools. Dropped my WindWrap faring off as it might make getting Rover II up to my 19th floor condo  difficult. Really appreciated it the last month here as it was generally cool and very windy. Besides it's always very warm in Florida, Right?

King Pin Greased and
ready for insertion

Top washer before handle install

New and used bushing. Which is which?

Thought I might need to replace the steering bushings now around 12,000 km, so ordered a new set and waited for a reamer to arrive in case the new ones were too tight as reported in the forums recently. Loosing track of my  mileage. But hardly ever miss a day and then do 40-50 km

I dropped the kingpins out of the frame and tapped out the bushings with a punch and hammer one side at a time. Checked for wear visually and with my calipers. There is no indication of wear on any of the bushings. Can't see any difference between the old ones and the new set so cleaned, greased, reassembled, and adjusted. Messy but was cheap and easy. This is the 3rd time I've completed this lubing procedure.

Was really surprised there was no significant wear. Have never really had a problem with steering and quite pleased at Rover II's service

Greasing the final drive in the Bafang BBSO2 was something I had not yet done. I have not taken anything apart on it. since it was installed. The unit runs very quiet still, and I don't really push it very hard, but wanted to take a look inside. There are two sets of drive gears to service. The one on the right side has two steel gears and needs to have the grease replaced before it migrates through the central seal and contaminates to grease in the left side. The plastic gear in the left side is more difficult to open and service, and the stock grease in the right side, can deteriorate that plastic gear. Eventually I will have to service the left side but will try to leave that until next year. (Early Bafang units often were shipped lacking grease) A new adventure.

The procedure was as follows:

Remove the right crank will crank puller and sit chain off the chain ring

Remove the chain guard from the chain ring- 5 screws from back side

Remove the Chain Ring- 5 studs

Remove Plastic cover- gently: many small philips screws

Clean old grease from teeth, repack with Mobil 28 Aircraft Grease
Reassemble

Chain Ring showing a bit of wear- Replace 2018?

I checked the rest of the drive line, cleaned the chain, rear cassette and rear derailleur. The wheel bearings are all tight, and the brakes fine from servicing in Sept. The chain is showing a bit of stretch, and the chainring and cassette are a bit worn. I have a replacement cassette with me and will change it, the chain,  and the chainring if things start slipping. I've put a lot of kilowatts through the BBSO2 so it is to be expected.

Now just sort out a box of tools, bits and pieces and I'm ready to throw it on the carrier and head south. Redneck Riviera here I come!

Summer is Over

Rover II w WindWrap Faring and Seat Pad ready for Fall
Bike handlebar extensions used for accessory mounts

Summer is over, and its been a great one up here in Rainy River. A few hot days, but generally decent. I rarely took off my winter seat foam pad and with the long days I was able to get out early in the morning, so summer heat was never a problem. Turned on the a/c in the house only once. A bit of rain but generally sunny and dry. Perfect triking weather.

On my ride out today my Bell odometer turned hit the 9999.9 km mark and started flashing telling me time to reset it. I only use it as a back up and check on my Luna 750C  computer for the Bafang BBSO2. Beyond some initial learning curves it has been pretty much trouble free. I have repaired the charging port on the battery by replacing the barrel connector with an XT60 plug. No big deal. Pretty sure I am the one that screwed it up by not following directions... guilty!

Otherwise it runs perfectly. Quiet, powerful, simple, and economical. I will do some seasonal maintenance on it shortly checking the lube in the drive gears... will post details when I do it.

I still do not know the maximum battery range and still experiment with different configuration settings. It has way more power than I will ever use and have set the max current draw down to 15 amps. That would be 750 watts and I never use that level of power. Likewise the thumb throttle gets very little use. I have the max speed set at 32 kph (20 mph) which really is faster than I ever want to cruise with Rover II on the trails I travel. On decent to smooth pavement I run 20-25 kph on gravel I putter along at perhaps 12-15 kph. The great thing is the effort required of my legs changes little, up hill or down, smooth or rough, dogs or no dogs. Just up the Assist Level or drop a gear or two.

Today's ride was a decent test of range. I started out with 50.3v probably 75% charge as my standard charge is only to 80% to maximize battery life. Wind was strong and gusting out of the west at times well over 20 kph. Without e-assist for me it would have been a somewhat unpleasant ride. At times on hills and into the wind sometimes I was drawing up to 600watts on Level 5 assist and probably averaging between 120 to 160watts on Level 3 assist for the most part. Normally on this course I would run on Level 2 drawing 25-75watts. I was running in gears 5,6,& 7 for most of the distance

I finished the 43.43 km with an overall average speed of 16.1 kph and a battery level of 45.3v which my gauge says is 40%. The low battery cutoff is set at 41v. I have yet to run out of power before the end of the ride.

I use MapMyRide when I want stats on my route, but not on a regular basis. Here was today's result.

Temp 50F, Wind w 13 mph w stronger gusts

TIME
START	12:21 p.m.
ACTIVE	2:41:55
TOTAL	2:41:55

ELEVATION
GAIN	114 m
START	329 m
MAX	349 m Temp

	SPEED
AVG	16.1 k

Battery Start 50.3v =75%

Battery Finish 45.3v + 40%

I had to replace my left ProMax brake handle. Rough usage I guess, as I often turn my trike on its side to work on it and noted the lever was twisted a bit and broke at the pin. Since I have the brake shut-off switch glued onto the left brake, I had to cut the epoxy away from the Hall sensor and the magnet. Again a small chore but necessary. A pair of new handles (L & R) was less than $20 from Terra Trike and at the same time I ordered a new set of brake cables, and kingpin bushings. I will need them sometime and when I service the trike before heading south for the winter, I will check them out for wear, and change if necessary.

Earlier this summer, one of my Big Apple tires was pretty worn having run since last fall. I stuck my original tires back on to use them up and ordered a set of Big Ben FS 2.12x20 for the front and put on the Big Apple 2.12 x 24 I'd removed from the rear last winter in favour of a grip tire. I really like the improved ride I get from the Big Bens and the Big Apple. I'm only running them at about 35 psi which significantly improves ride and handling. The increased rolling resistance isn't a problem now with the e-assist.

So there we have it for now. Was looking to test those hills out in Osoyoos, B.C. this winter but decided to do the coming winter in the Redneck Riviera, P.C.B., Fl, one more time. Not much for hills there. Maybe a few sand humps down Route 30 towards Santa Rosa Beach.

Keep pedalin' and grinnin'