Bacchetta CA2 with Tiller Setup - July 18 2015

Kent Polk and I met a few weeks ago west of Flagstaff as he was returning from Oregon to Florida. He measured the specs on my Ti Aero and will be fabricating a Railgun seat that will allow me to use the Ti, with a tiller, for flatter terrain.

Since then I've been at work on the CA2 making it practical for the mountainous, twisty switchback terrain in Prescott. 

First, I don't think a Railgun seat is necessary.  In fact, it might actually be too reclined.  Climbing ascents really requires putting a lot of pressure on the lower back (pushing pedals demands something against which to brace oneself).  Without the `bracing' you can't really enlist the power of your leg and ankle stroking. 

So, I'm using the unmodified standard Bacchetta carbon hardshell seat. 

This is the setup:

• Mini-bullhorn handlebar
• SRAM TT-900 levers
• No-name brake levers
• Fastback Spark Bag (2)
• Fastback Norback Frame Bag
• I cut the bottom Velcro strap off theNorback frame Bag and punched d two holes in the bottom, punched two holes in the carbon fiber hardshell seat, laced a cable tie through the holes and secured the bottom to the back of the seat.  I wrapped the top Velcro strap around the ADEM headrest post.
• TerraCycle tiller

Lots of adjusting and sizing to make it all fit nicely.

Took it out for a challenging ride yesterday on the White Spars with lots of hills, climbing, descending, turning fast on switchbacks, etc.  Mother's milk.

RAAM Pics - Time Station 6 (Congress, AZ) and TS 7 (Prescott, AZ) - 2015

My Behind (Mirrors)

In my estimate there are few more important components to a bicycle than a mirror to see what is behind you.  This even more important on a recumbent.  And it is even more important on a steeply reclined recumbent. 

I have spent a great deal of time and money attempting find and make usable mirrors that both accommodate my bifocal glasses and give me a clear, wide angle left and right rear views.  In an effort to custom design mirrors I have used PVC pipe.  It is easily shaped and can be installed and removed as needed. 

Here are some pics: 

 This is the left unit and base.  It is installed on the handlebar at a distance so that it does not interfere with the brake. 

 This is the right unit and base.  It is installed to allow view of both the right and immediately behind.  Very helpful. 

 This is the left base.  You can see how it accepts a screw on mirror unit. 

 This is the right base.  Again, accepts a screw on mirror unit.

These are the left and right mirror units (upside down ... my bad).

 

The stock carbon fiber hard shell seat was not designed for a steep recline.  It has a `dip' that otherwise cradles the rider's butt.  When steeply reclined the rider's butt just floats `out there.'  Instead, the rider's sacrum (lower back) requires some support.  So I inserted two soft rubber pads back there (below).  Really comfortable.

 

 

This is a picture of the carbon fiber hard shell seat at a 10 degree angle.  About as reclined as it can go.