Boat Bikes -- Some Observations

[estarzinger]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

Rust is a constant war which never stops.

Carbon frame is nice - no corrosion and light (helps in dinghy etc), will last forever. You can always change the components. Stores well and carries well if you take the wheels off (less than a 2 minute job)


50 miles in a few hours no problem . . . . even for a middle aged guy in average physical condition

LOL - catch any big fish recently?
most "middle aged guy in average physical condition" cruisers could not finish a 50 mile ride. And most of those that can would not say no sweat. And 12 or 13 mph would be a pretty damn good average speed on a flat course. I ride 20-30 miles every day (actually 6 days/week), on a good carbon racing bike, and 50 is still not in the 'no problem' category in my book.

............

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

Your transom would very likely be swept with green water, crossing the North Sea. Never once seen a catamaran in these waters BTW.

I'm not so sure that is true. Cats lack a keel and thus ride differently. Not better, just differently. Also, remember that the sternrail is 5 feet forward of the transoms and the deck is 4-5 feet above the water. Technically, the transoms get raked a good bit, but not 56 feet above the waterline, 5 feet forward of the transom. On a mono, for example, that would be repeated, frequent filling of the cockpit. This is the reason that cats do reasonably well with tenders on davits as well--the tender is NOT hanging behind the boat.

As for cats with no protection of the cockpit from the stern, I'm not sure that is smart. But it does support my point. My PDQ 32/34 is center cockpit, which is a little unusual.

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by thinwater

I'm not so sure that is true. Cats lack a keel and thus ride differently. Not better, just differently. Also, remember that the sternrail is 5 feet forward of the transoms and the deck is 4-5 feet above the water. Technically, the transoms get raked a good bit, but not 56 feet above the waterline, 5 feet forward of the transom. On a mono, for example, that would be repeated, frequent filling of the cockpit. This is the reason that cats do reasonably well with tenders on davits as well--the tender is NOT hanging behind the boat.

As for cats with no protection of the cockpit from the stern, I'm not sure that is smart. But it does support my point. My PDQ 32/34 is center cockpit, which is a little unusual.

56 feet above the waterline how big is this catamaran you speak of ? ( I know you mean 5-6 feet ie 1-2meters)
Also imho bikes on deck when on passage just dont look good and are a point of entanglement I just would rather avoid.

[jheldatksuedu]

I figured out a long time ago that a folding bike only folds to roughly the size of the wheels. So you want to make the wheels smaller, but riding a bike with small wheels is not as easy or efficient. So I decided to tackle the problem of making the wheels small and large at the same time, make them fold up or disassemble. Then make the frame do the same. Most of the time you would not take the wheels apart unless you will not use the bike for a week or so. My "final" design is a rim cut into 3 pieces, with a staggered cut and locating pins, and 3 removable spokes. I went through about 6 designs to get to this point. I also went through a number of different frame folds and dis-assemblies. I've ridden bikes for 50 years, I was the first one to have a 10 speed that I knew of. It's still normal for me to ride everywhere, often 20 miles at a clip. I have not started my motorcycle for a couple weeks now. I can't stand small wheels.

for pictures go to

my dinghy & bike

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

Two Trek, full size bikes on the bow. Plastic crank and sprockets, carbon fiber and aircraft aluminum and best of all Gates belt drive .... Ultra light and nothing to rust. My 5'2" 115lb. wife can carry both of them.

What Trek models are those?

-Chris

[Kenomac]

We keep two Bromptons folded up inside padded, quilted storage bags, which can be stacked anywhere on the boat. We recently took them on a train from Venice, they fit on the overhead.

Try that with a full size.

[CarinaPDX]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

I've just invested into snap-off pedals to at least get that out of the way, but then I'll lose the ability to use cleats

You should have searched a bit more. MKS makes a line of detachable pedals ("Ezy") which can be single- or double-sided clipless, or platform/clipless combo. Catalog: http://www.mkspedal.com/sites/defaul...017catalogED48[Eng].pdf These can be bought online in the states, and at some dealers (they are a big pedal manufacturer but the detachable are a niche product).

I have the clipless-only detachable pedals, but would consider the combo pedals in the future for my Brompton.

Greg

[Laksmi]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

Two Trek, full size bikes on the bow. Plastic crank and sprockets, carbon fiber and aircraft aluminum and best of all Gates belt drive .... Ultra light and nothing to rust. My 5'2" 115lb. wife can carry both of them.

What brand is your bike? I'm looking for one to leave on my Alaskan 49' foredeck.

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by ranger42c

What Trek models are those?

-Chris

Trek District

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by newhaul

56 feet above the waterline how big is this catamaran you speak of ? ( I know you mean 5-6 feet ie 1-2meters)
Also imho bikes on deck when on passage just dont look good and are a point of entanglement I just would rather avoid.

Yeah, at the top of the mast!

Never tangled anything outside the sternrail. Can't imagine what it would be. Probably the only place on a sailboat where you can say that. I've even towed drogues with the dinghy in place with no trouble, and these are above that. But they would be off in that sort of weather.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by estarzinger

............

It was the "in a couple hours" part that got me. I raced in college and still ride ~ 50-100 miles per week at a sharp pace. There are few 25-year olds that can maintain and honest 25 MPH on the level, on their own for more than one mile. Very few. In the draft, of course. 20 MPH average isn't realistic for most. I'm with Starzinger--more like 4 hours, and you'll still know you did something.

[inchcailloch]

Rust rust rust! Have aluminium mountain bike but still rust! I love cycling but almost a waste of space. Cruising you have plenty of time to walk and in most places public transport is very cheap. If you have room inside, ok but Im having 2nd thought about having brought it with me.

[jheldatksuedu]

One other thing about my 3 piece wheels, the air pressure holds everything together quite nicely and rigidly. This wheel is probably my best design.

my dinghy & bike

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by thinwater

Yeah, at the top of the mast!

Never tangled anything outside the sternrail. Can't imagine what it would be. Probably the only place on a sailboat where you can say that. I've even towed drogues with the dinghy in place with no trouble, and these are above that. But they would be off in that sort of weather.

The part about them on deck and tangling is just a general observation . I have seen them on the lifelines and strapped to the mast on boats. If the stern rail works for you great. for me thats where my solar panels are.

My dahon is stainless and powder coated. The pedals were replaced a few years ago so they are a point of rust but that lil bit o rust can live with

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by thinwater

It was the "in a couple hours" part that got me. I raced in college and still ride ~ 50-100 miles per week at a sharp pace. There are few 25-year olds that can maintain and honest 25 MPH on the level, on their own for more than one mile. Very few. In the draft, of course. 20 MPH average isn't realistic for most. I'm with Starzinger--more like 4 hours, and you'll still know you did something.

Four years ago at age 56, I could ride 28.3mph solo for one hour continuous on the velodrome. Those were the days...

Now my legs can no longer keep up with the cardio, but I find the Bromptons to be lots of fun in a different way.