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#61
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Calfee Stiletto Pick by Velo News as one of the top 5 coolest bikes of Interbike
PaPa wrote in message ...
snip I don't generally agree. As head tube angle approaches vertical, steering sensitivity increases (this is just one of the contributing reasons why a SWB is reportably "twitcher" than a LWB). At say, 60 degrees head tube angle, much of the pilot's rotational steering input actually "tilts" the front wheel instead of rotating it. This effectively changes the input-to-response ratio. Pilot preference and weight, design, CG, wheel base and a host of other factors determine "optimal head tube angle" The Slovenian "Eivie' streamliner has a near-90-degree head angle, 16" front wheel, cable steering, head-first-looking-in-a-mirror navigation... and they still managed to set a European speed record of 68.21 mph at Battle Mountain. Pictures: http://www.ohpv.org/albums/bm2003/at.../photo_24.html http://www.ohpv.org/albums/bm2003/at.../photo_23.html http://www.ohpv.org/albums/bm2003/at...s/photo_6.html http://www.wisil.recumbents.com/wisi...03-Hodalic.htm Jeff |
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#62
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Calfee Stiletto Pick by Velo News as one of the top 5 coolest bikes of Interbike
Jeff Wills wrote:
PaPa wrote in message ... The Slovenian "Eivie' streamliner has a near-90-degree head angle, 16" front wheel, cable steering, head-first-looking-in-a-mirror navigation... and they still managed to set a European speed record of 68.21 mph at Battle Mountain. Jeff So, what are you implying Jeff? That vertical or near vertical head tubes are optimum? If that were the case.... which I believe it is not (in most designs), why don't DF manufactures imploy it? And closer to home... why didn't Freddie and Calfree go vertical? I think I know why... just curious what your views are. My side-views of the Stilleto guess it closer to 68-70 degrees. -- -------------------------- Posted via cyclingforums.com http://www.cyclingforums.com |
#63
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Calfee Stiletto Pick by Velo News as one of the top 5 coolest bikes of Interbike
Jeff Wills wrote:
PaPa wrote in message ... The Slovenian "Eivie' streamliner has a near-90-degree head angle, 16" front wheel, cable steering, head-first-looking-in-a-mirror navigation... and they still managed to set a European speed record of 68.21 mph at Battle Mountain. Jeff So, what are you implying Jeff? That vertical or near vertical head tubes are optimum? If that were the case.... which I believe it is not (in most designs), why don't DF manufactures imploy it? And closer to home... why didn't Freddie and Calfree go vertical? I think I know why... just curious what your views are. My side-views of the Stilleto guess it closer to 68-70 degrees. -- -------------------------- Posted via cyclingforums.com http://www.cyclingforums.com |
#64
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Calfee Stiletto Pick by Velo News as one of the top 5 coolest bikes of Interbike
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#65
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Calfee Stiletto Pick by Velo News as one of the top 5 coolest bikes of Interbike
I'm in love..........................
But emotions aside....... I have been puzzling over some mysteries.... It looks like the head tube angle is about 71 deg. which naturally would requjire indirect steering unless the demographics indicated that all of the stilleto customers would be orangutangs. This said...Does the fairing swing with the fork? Or is it fixed fore and aft with the front wheel swinging from side to side in the wheel cutout. I need a bigger JPG. The one I have is on my desktop as "background". I do this to better develop the rationalization that I am in ABSOLUTE need of a copy, (for medicinal purposes only, of course). My grandmother used to tell me that you can get used to hanging if you hang long enough. If it was good enough for her then it is good enough for me. Jerry -- -------------------------- Posted via cyclingforums.com http://www.cyclingforums.com |
#66
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Calfee Stiletto Pick by Velo News as one of the top 5 coolest bikes of Interbike
JEGARH wrote in message ...
I'm in love.......................... Yea, me too. Between the Stiletto, carbon forks, seats, fairings and everything else going on I haven't had much of a chance to get back in here lately. But to answer a few questions and address a few misconceptions again. First off, CF just dosen't explode...unless you pack some C-4 in it somewhere. There are some applications I've seen where CF did fail because of poor craftsmanship, mainly wrinkles on the inside of the layup (not a Calfee product). I just want to say again that CF is going to out last most bikes made out of Alu, cro-mo or ti. If anyone is interested in learning more about the properties of CF go to www.calfeedesign.com click on construction and scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the technical write paper. I've said this before, but everytime I turn around there's someone else saying CF won't last or is brittle or on and on...so if your one of those folks, please read the TWP. Anytime you see a CF failure you have to ask yourself if the part that failed was engineered correctly or was the builder mainly trying to save weight and went just a bit light. Also,just a bit of personal advice that you don't have to take....don't believe anything you read out of the NY times, they've shown time and again how they can't get facts right about most everything, including facts about CF, Oh well. The Stiletto fairing is attached at the top to the center of the steering colume and pivots there. It's also attached to the forks with some mounts. The handlebars turn at a different radius than the forks...the fairing flexes some, but it works good. The top of the fairing doesn't move much the bottom move a little bit. On the remote steering...it's a tall order to try and improve on a Gold Rush, but what I've tried to do is make the Stiletto handle better. The remote steering allows us to use about a 70 degree head angle which allows us to use CF forks and steering tubes. With this geometry I've eliminated front fork flop, eliminated or reduces tiller in the steering and all this puts a bit more traction to the front tire. Low speed handling is a dream...no wobbles either starting or climbing streeps hills. One other thing is the Stiletto is predicable when you get a flat tire, either front or rear. Your not riding some kind of bike with a high center of gravity, so when you get out of shape your history. Some folks have said that they don't care for the looks of the handlebar setup on the Stiletto....thats OK, because I've heard for years not everybody likes the chopper style bars on a ER...to each their own. But to ride a Stiletto is to understand the differences. I've said before that the reason I started with a LWB bike is because I believe it's the best all around design going. Hardly any getting used to, starts, accelerates and stops better than just about anything else on the road, corners better than most other recumbents, and now that the Stiletto is in the low twenties it climbs even better. The ride quality on the Stiletto is so nice I bet most people will appreciate that part of the bike more than just about anything else. This bike acts like it's on a full suspension, but without the weight or pogo effect. How fast is a Stiletto?...well with the body sock setup at least as fast as a Gold Rush down hills and Rand Milan had his GR up to 74mph. After Rand gets his Stiletto I look forward to hearing him say he hit 80mph. But that's what I've been saying for years...the stability of a LWB bike is what allows these kinds of speeds with the right aero package. Anybody been over to BROL and read the max lowracer speeds? Pathetic speeds really, hardly anyone gets over 40...on a low racer or a high racer for that matter because they just aren't that predictable at high speed where you might hit a rouge gust of wind. I can hear some of you saying that I've probably never been on anything but a LWB bike and don't know what I'm talking about...and you'd be wrong. I've been on just about everything, just to add some news Calfee Design will introduce a SWB bike next year. So, unfaired the Stiletto is not all that fast, but sure is fun, easy and comfortable. Want to go fast get the body sock and rule the pacelines. The toughest thing about any LWB bike is it's length. The Stiletto is available with titanium S&S couplers. But I just have to add that it's to bad that some folks compromise their bike choice just so it will fit in a car. If you don't have to don't. To address someone like NOGOSLOW who used to ride LWB bikes but now rides a high BB bike. He probably never rode the ER bikes correctly and there is a proper way to get the most power and handling out of one. I know a lot of folks out there are low impact type riders or ride long flat straight roads...that is where a high bb bike or lowracer does alright. I'm here to tell you that those bikes can't do what my Stiletto can. My web site on www.ffmcycling.com will address most of these issues about getting the most out of your bike. Don't worry the sites not exclusive... if your on a SWB or low racer or whatever your welcome to check it out and learn whatever you can. I'll end this by saying that I'm not capable of designing a bike everyone would love anymore than a carmaker can design something we would all like, and don't get me wrong I'm not taking cheap shots at other bikes even though it might sound like it. But after 30 years of racing I know what I like and I like this bike best. Lots of recumbent designs will go the way of the dinosaure, but not the LWB bikes Freddy |
#67
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Calfee Stiletto Pick by Velo News as one of the top 5 coolest bikes of Interbike
Just curious. When will you be able to update your website so that the
links at the left of the page will give some information? Thanks, Terry (GRR in the Ozarks) wrote in message om... JEGARH wrote in message ... I'm in love.......................... Yea, me too. Between the Stiletto, carbon forks, seats, fairings and everything else going on I haven't had much of a chance to get back in here lately. But to answer a few questions and address a few misconceptions again. First off, CF just dosen't explode...unless you pack some C-4 in it somewhere. There are some applications I've seen where CF did fail because of poor craftsmanship, mainly wrinkles on the inside of the layup (not a Calfee product). I just want to say again that CF is going to out last most bikes made out of Alu, cro-mo or ti. If anyone is interested in learning more about the properties of CF go to www.calfeedesign.com click on construction and scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the technical write paper. I've said this before, but everytime I turn around there's someone else saying CF won't last or is brittle or on and on...so if your one of those folks, please read the TWP. Anytime you see a CF failure you have to ask yourself if the part that failed was engineered correctly or was the builder mainly trying to save weight and went just a bit light. Also,just a bit of personal advice that you don't have to take....don't believe anything you read out of the NY times, they've shown time and again how they can't get facts right about most everything, including facts about CF, Oh well. The Stiletto fairing is attached at the top to the center of the steering colume and pivots there. It's also attached to the forks with some mounts. The handlebars turn at a different radius than the forks...the fairing flexes some, but it works good. The top of the fairing doesn't move much the bottom move a little bit. On the remote steering...it's a tall order to try and improve on a Gold Rush, but what I've tried to do is make the Stiletto handle better. The remote steering allows us to use about a 70 degree head angle which allows us to use CF forks and steering tubes. With this geometry I've eliminated front fork flop, eliminated or reduces tiller in the steering and all this puts a bit more traction to the front tire. Low speed handling is a dream...no wobbles either starting or climbing streeps hills. One other thing is the Stiletto is predicable when you get a flat tire, either front or rear. Your not riding some kind of bike with a high center of gravity, so when you get out of shape your history. Some folks have said that they don't care for the looks of the handlebar setup on the Stiletto....thats OK, because I've heard for years not everybody likes the chopper style bars on a ER...to each their own. But to ride a Stiletto is to understand the differences. I've said before that the reason I started with a LWB bike is because I believe it's the best all around design going. Hardly any getting used to, starts, accelerates and stops better than just about anything else on the road, corners better than most other recumbents, and now that the Stiletto is in the low twenties it climbs even better. The ride quality on the Stiletto is so nice I bet most people will appreciate that part of the bike more than just about anything else. This bike acts like it's on a full suspension, but without the weight or pogo effect. How fast is a Stiletto?...well with the body sock setup at least as fast as a Gold Rush down hills and Rand Milan had his GR up to 74mph. After Rand gets his Stiletto I look forward to hearing him say he hit 80mph. But that's what I've been saying for years...the stability of a LWB bike is what allows these kinds of speeds with the right aero package. Anybody been over to BROL and read the max lowracer speeds? Pathetic speeds really, hardly anyone gets over 40...on a low racer or a high racer for that matter because they just aren't that predictable at high speed where you might hit a rouge gust of wind. I can hear some of you saying that I've probably never been on anything but a LWB bike and don't know what I'm talking about...and you'd be wrong. I've been on just about everything, just to add some news Calfee Design will introduce a SWB bike next year. So, unfaired the Stiletto is not all that fast, but sure is fun, easy and comfortable. Want to go fast get the body sock and rule the pacelines. The toughest thing about any LWB bike is it's length. The Stiletto is available with titanium S&S couplers. But I just have to add that it's to bad that some folks compromise their bike choice just so it will fit in a car. If you don't have to don't. To address someone like NOGOSLOW who used to ride LWB bikes but now rides a high BB bike. He probably never rode the ER bikes correctly and there is a proper way to get the most power and handling out of one. I know a lot of folks out there are low impact type riders or ride long flat straight roads...that is where a high bb bike or lowracer does alright. I'm here to tell you that those bikes can't do what my Stiletto can. My web site on www.ffmcycling.com will address most of these issues about getting the most out of your bike. Don't worry the sites not exclusive... if your on a SWB or low racer or whatever your welcome to check it out and learn whatever you can. I'll end this by saying that I'm not capable of designing a bike everyone would love anymore than a carmaker can design something we would all like, and don't get me wrong I'm not taking cheap shots at other bikes even though it might sound like it. But after 30 years of racing I know what I like and I like this bike best. Lots of recumbent designs will go the way of the dinosaure, but not the LWB bikes Freddy |
#68
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Calfee Stiletto Pick by Velo News as one of the top 5 coolest bikes of Interbike
Good post, Freddy. Thanks for the update.
Gatorized Bob Siegel in Gainesville FL wrote in message om... JEGARH wrote in message ... I'm in love.......................... Yea, me too. Between the Stiletto, carbon forks, seats, fairings and everything else going on I haven't had much of a chance to get back in here lately. But to answer a few questions and address a few misconceptions again. First off, CF just dosen't explode...unless you pack some C-4 in it somewhere. There are some applications I've seen where CF did fail because of poor craftsmanship, mainly wrinkles on the inside of the layup (not a Calfee product). I just want to say again that CF is going to out last most bikes made out of Alu, cro-mo or ti. If anyone is interested in learning more about the properties of CF go to www.calfeedesign.com click on construction and scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the technical write paper. I've said this before, but everytime I turn around there's someone else saying CF won't last or is brittle or on and on...so if your one of those folks, please read the TWP. Anytime you see a CF failure you have to ask yourself if the part that failed was engineered correctly or was the builder mainly trying to save weight and went just a bit light. Also,just a bit of personal advice that you don't have to take....don't believe anything you read out of the NY times, they've shown time and again how they can't get facts right about most everything, including facts about CF, Oh well. The Stiletto fairing is attached at the top to the center of the steering colume and pivots there. It's also attached to the forks with some mounts. The handlebars turn at a different radius than the forks...the fairing flexes some, but it works good. The top of the fairing doesn't move much the bottom move a little bit. On the remote steering...it's a tall order to try and improve on a Gold Rush, but what I've tried to do is make the Stiletto handle better. The remote steering allows us to use about a 70 degree head angle which allows us to use CF forks and steering tubes. With this geometry I've eliminated front fork flop, eliminated or reduces tiller in the steering and all this puts a bit more traction to the front tire. Low speed handling is a dream...no wobbles either starting or climbing streeps hills. One other thing is the Stiletto is predicable when you get a flat tire, either front or rear. Your not riding some kind of bike with a high center of gravity, so when you get out of shape your history. Some folks have said that they don't care for the looks of the handlebar setup on the Stiletto....thats OK, because I've heard for years not everybody likes the chopper style bars on a ER...to each their own. But to ride a Stiletto is to understand the differences. I've said before that the reason I started with a LWB bike is because I believe it's the best all around design going. Hardly any getting used to, starts, accelerates and stops better than just about anything else on the road, corners better than most other recumbents, and now that the Stiletto is in the low twenties it climbs even better. The ride quality on the Stiletto is so nice I bet most people will appreciate that part of the bike more than just about anything else. This bike acts like it's on a full suspension, but without the weight or pogo effect. How fast is a Stiletto?...well with the body sock setup at least as fast as a Gold Rush down hills and Rand Milan had his GR up to 74mph. After Rand gets his Stiletto I look forward to hearing him say he hit 80mph. But that's what I've been saying for years...the stability of a LWB bike is what allows these kinds of speeds with the right aero package. Anybody been over to BROL and read the max lowracer speeds? Pathetic speeds really, hardly anyone gets over 40...on a low racer or a high racer for that matter because they just aren't that predictable at high speed where you might hit a rouge gust of wind. I can hear some of you saying that I've probably never been on anything but a LWB bike and don't know what I'm talking about...and you'd be wrong. I've been on just about everything, just to add some news Calfee Design will introduce a SWB bike next year. So, unfaired the Stiletto is not all that fast, but sure is fun, easy and comfortable. Want to go fast get the body sock and rule the pacelines. The toughest thing about any LWB bike is it's length. The Stiletto is available with titanium S&S couplers. But I just have to add that it's to bad that some folks compromise their bike choice just so it will fit in a car. If you don't have to don't. To address someone like NOGOSLOW who used to ride LWB bikes but now rides a high BB bike. He probably never rode the ER bikes correctly and there is a proper way to get the most power and handling out of one. I know a lot of folks out there are low impact type riders or ride long flat straight roads...that is where a high bb bike or lowracer does alright. I'm here to tell you that those bikes can't do what my Stiletto can. My web site on www.ffmcycling.com will address most of these issues about getting the most out of your bike. Don't worry the sites not exclusive... if your on a SWB or low racer or whatever your welcome to check it out and learn whatever you can. I'll end this by saying that I'm not capable of designing a bike everyone would love anymore than a carmaker can design something we would all like, and don't get me wrong I'm not taking cheap shots at other bikes even though it might sound like it. But after 30 years of racing I know what I like and I like this bike best. Lots of recumbent designs will go the way of the dinosaure, but not the LWB bikes Freddy |
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