Steve Rinker's Homebuilt Short-Wheelbase Recumbent - 12/2005
Gotta love this paint job even if it is temporary!
Steve has put together one clean and fast looking machine.
Steve wrote...
"Here's a photo of my new creation. A SWB recumbent built out of old
bike parts. It is a combination of a Mongoose mountain bike (rear
triangle, boom and bottom bracket), a piece of a child's swingset (main
spar), and about 25 bikes from the junkyard (various gruppa).
"I built the seat from a piece of 1/4" plywood for the pan and a piece
of 3/4" plywood for the stringer. Built the front wheel from junk parts.
"The only thing I paid money for was the front tire; a Continental Gran
Prix that I found at my local bike shop for only $5! I couldn't resist.
"It runs great, has 6 speeds (14-28) and one chain ring (52) It climbs
really well owing to the under seat steering and no idlers to add
friction.
"Total weight is 27 pounds, not bad for a recumbent, eh? I am really
pleased with it, especially as this has been an ongoing project for some
time now. Guess you just gotta keep plugging away at it!
"The only thing that is a little bit hinky is the wheelbase/weight
distribution. It could be a little
bit longer with a little more weight on the rear wheel. Oh well. maybe
on the next one..."