Mark B
Zen MBB Master
I don't have quite a month on my Silvio, but after a few hundred miles, I feel like I'm getting a pretty good handle on the bike, it's strengths and it's weaknesses.
Like I said in my build report; I believe the Silvio is manufactured to pretty high overall standards. The parts fit well and function as they are designed to. The build instructions, while adequate for the mechanically inclined, leave something to be desired for maybe the novice bike builder. This has been discussed and is apparently a work in progress.
Once built, the bike is obviously a beauty. This is my third recumbent and the first that has received so many positive comments. One of the comments I've heard repeatedly is, "That's the first recumbent design I've seen that makes sense."
Not only is the bike pleasing to the eye, throwing your leg over the seat and taking the handlebar firmly in hand is nothing less than exhilirating. You can tell right away this bike is a thoroughbred and my heart races when it's time to go.
Once underway, the bike's handling is predictable and easily managed. This is, of course, assuming you have already gone through the learning curve. If not, you still need to master the MBB, which I think would be much easier on the Silvio. This is certainly true of my experience and in comparison to the two conversion bikes I have ridden. The front end is stiff and power transfer is almost immediate. I have never ridden a recumbent with this kind of acceleration. I can go from poking along to flat out flying in just a few pedal revolutions. This seems to translate very well into climbing, as well. I think the Silvio climbs way better than the recumbents I have ridden. No data to back that up, just my gut feeling.
Ergonomically, the seat is pretty comfortable for what it is. My conversion was the first hardshell seat I've owned and the Silvio, only my second. I was a little unsure about the aluminum seat with what appeared to be a minimalist cushion. My fears were alleviated after riding the seat awhile and then going back to ride a mesh seat. To me, the mesh seat felt mushy. Comfortable, yes, but mushy, if you will. The comfort you get from a mesh seat translates to lost power, IMHO. I've got some concerns about hot weather riding and sweat build-up in the pad, but so far, it's been bearable. I have ridden in temps into the 90's and sometimes it feels like it's getting damp toward the bottom of the seatback, but not too bad. So far, I am pleased with the seat.
For my particular build, I used the Origin 8 Gary bar. This bar is a cyclocross bar with a pretty radical flare to the drops. I built my bike with Campagnolo components and the Origin 8 bars are a match made in Heaven with Campy and a Silvio. The angle of the drop is wonderful and provides just the right hand placement for fingertip downshifts and an easy reach for the thumb shifter. I've found that for long, steady grinds, I can grab the drops on the outside of the bar for a little added leverage. I can even manage shifts from the drops, though the thumbshifter is a bit of a reach. My only complaint would be the way the handlebar protrudes, the brakelever is the first thing that touches when you try to lean the bike. I learned something from Jack watching him lean his bike. He leans the TFT against the seat pan, then leans the entire thing against the wall. This seems to be pretty effective.
The only real issues I've had with the bike have been uphill startups on less than ideal pavement. I got a little tire slip in these conditions, though I think tire choice can alleviate this problem a great deal. I had intended to run 23c tires on my Silvio, but found a wider contact patch to be very desirable. I went to 25c and don't think I would run any narrower. I have experienced a few instances of wheel hop, too, though they have been few and far between. I think both of these issues will clear themselves up with more riding time, learning the techniques and finding the ideal front shock pressure for me.
In conclusion, I have to tell you I am notorious for having buyer's remorse with big ticket items. I worried a little about selling my Bachetta, a time tested and proven recumbent, for a relatively newcomer on the block. This was the entire purpose for my conversion build; to see if I would like the FWD MBB. Even though I had determined I liked this system, there was a little uneasiness about it, I cannot lie. The reality of it, though, is this bike is hands down the best recumbent bike I've ridden, to date. I get just as giddy thinking about a ride almost a month later as I did the first couple times out. I've gotten stronger and my conditioning is improving quickly because I am so excited to ride the bike. If you are on the fence on this, hop on over, take a sip of the Kool-Aid and join in on the fun. Resistance is futile.
Mark
Like I said in my build report; I believe the Silvio is manufactured to pretty high overall standards. The parts fit well and function as they are designed to. The build instructions, while adequate for the mechanically inclined, leave something to be desired for maybe the novice bike builder. This has been discussed and is apparently a work in progress.
Once built, the bike is obviously a beauty. This is my third recumbent and the first that has received so many positive comments. One of the comments I've heard repeatedly is, "That's the first recumbent design I've seen that makes sense."
Not only is the bike pleasing to the eye, throwing your leg over the seat and taking the handlebar firmly in hand is nothing less than exhilirating. You can tell right away this bike is a thoroughbred and my heart races when it's time to go.
Once underway, the bike's handling is predictable and easily managed. This is, of course, assuming you have already gone through the learning curve. If not, you still need to master the MBB, which I think would be much easier on the Silvio. This is certainly true of my experience and in comparison to the two conversion bikes I have ridden. The front end is stiff and power transfer is almost immediate. I have never ridden a recumbent with this kind of acceleration. I can go from poking along to flat out flying in just a few pedal revolutions. This seems to translate very well into climbing, as well. I think the Silvio climbs way better than the recumbents I have ridden. No data to back that up, just my gut feeling.
Ergonomically, the seat is pretty comfortable for what it is. My conversion was the first hardshell seat I've owned and the Silvio, only my second. I was a little unsure about the aluminum seat with what appeared to be a minimalist cushion. My fears were alleviated after riding the seat awhile and then going back to ride a mesh seat. To me, the mesh seat felt mushy. Comfortable, yes, but mushy, if you will. The comfort you get from a mesh seat translates to lost power, IMHO. I've got some concerns about hot weather riding and sweat build-up in the pad, but so far, it's been bearable. I have ridden in temps into the 90's and sometimes it feels like it's getting damp toward the bottom of the seatback, but not too bad. So far, I am pleased with the seat.
For my particular build, I used the Origin 8 Gary bar. This bar is a cyclocross bar with a pretty radical flare to the drops. I built my bike with Campagnolo components and the Origin 8 bars are a match made in Heaven with Campy and a Silvio. The angle of the drop is wonderful and provides just the right hand placement for fingertip downshifts and an easy reach for the thumb shifter. I've found that for long, steady grinds, I can grab the drops on the outside of the bar for a little added leverage. I can even manage shifts from the drops, though the thumbshifter is a bit of a reach. My only complaint would be the way the handlebar protrudes, the brakelever is the first thing that touches when you try to lean the bike. I learned something from Jack watching him lean his bike. He leans the TFT against the seat pan, then leans the entire thing against the wall. This seems to be pretty effective.
The only real issues I've had with the bike have been uphill startups on less than ideal pavement. I got a little tire slip in these conditions, though I think tire choice can alleviate this problem a great deal. I had intended to run 23c tires on my Silvio, but found a wider contact patch to be very desirable. I went to 25c and don't think I would run any narrower. I have experienced a few instances of wheel hop, too, though they have been few and far between. I think both of these issues will clear themselves up with more riding time, learning the techniques and finding the ideal front shock pressure for me.
In conclusion, I have to tell you I am notorious for having buyer's remorse with big ticket items. I worried a little about selling my Bachetta, a time tested and proven recumbent, for a relatively newcomer on the block. This was the entire purpose for my conversion build; to see if I would like the FWD MBB. Even though I had determined I liked this system, there was a little uneasiness about it, I cannot lie. The reality of it, though, is this bike is hands down the best recumbent bike I've ridden, to date. I get just as giddy thinking about a ride almost a month later as I did the first couple times out. I've gotten stronger and my conditioning is improving quickly because I am so excited to ride the bike. If you are on the fence on this, hop on over, take a sip of the Kool-Aid and join in on the fun. Resistance is futile.
Mark
I'll be mounting a Never Reach Pro hydration system as soon as it arrives, and the longest chainstay that Mr Tolhurst builds as soon as they are available. I'm interested in feedback on the eliptical chain rings, do we have any data on them yet? Should I make that up grade too? After these mods, its just gonna be train train train. I'll be riding the Century @ Tour de Palm Springs in early Feb 2012 then the double Century in Death Valley in March if anybody wants to join me. I need some other rides to go to between March and Sept if any one has reccomendations. Come join me, lets start meeting up at these events and have some fun.
