tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048540434559497828.post5004359115717278388..comments2022-11-09T05:49:18.342-05:00Comments on Recumbent bikology in the urban jungle.: HP Velotechnik, Grasshopper fx, reduxRobert Matsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11706818647792433678noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048540434559497828.post-24508252617847579172012-10-25T23:21:00.044-04:002012-10-25T23:21:00.044-04:00Robert, thanks for the feedback. It's very he...Robert, thanks for the feedback. It's very helpful.<br />Andrew Wedlakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08241127115859935685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048540434559497828.post-77185851249328690242012-10-25T11:42:01.078-04:002012-10-25T11:42:01.078-04:00A-
SMGte and GHfx ride very similarly, have much t...A-<br />SMGte and GHfx ride very similarly, have much the same attributes, and given the quality level, I can't imagine you going wrong with either one. GH is more aero w/ feet higher compared to seat and therefore will feel more sporty. SM rides more like a touring bike. SM may feel a touch more stable and has better steep hill/low speed (i.e., 1.2 mph) balance because of the larger rear wheel, but you can learn to handle either bike at crawling speeds. GH is most often specced w/ dual drive (otherwise, the 20" wheel asks for a rather large chain ring) and the chain tube has a "hinge," as a result I believe there's a touch more friction in the drive train, but it's no big deal. Indirect steering on GH is fine -- a bit different from SM, but fine. There's a quirk with the way the removable AL (alum.) handlebar attaches which requires a lighter touch on the handlebars than the SM Gte (steel handlebar). Higher seat on SM gives better visibility of the road (than GH) at insanely high speeds (IHS), but the GH has better handling at IHS due to the lower center of gravity.<br /><br />Long and short, my opinion is that if you need the fold, go w/ the GHfx; if you don't, go with the SMGte. Otherwise, it's all in balance. HPV has optimized both bikes to the point that everything else is pretty much six of one, half dozen of the other.<br /><br />- R<br />Robert Matsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11706818647792433678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048540434559497828.post-33585855231316014692012-10-24T23:28:37.277-04:002012-10-24T23:28:37.277-04:00Hi Robert,
I live in Portland, Oregon and haven&#...Hi Robert,<br /><br />I live in Portland, Oregon and haven't been able to find a GH to test ride, but I was able to ride a Street Machine with USS in Bend. It wasn't initially the model I gravitated to, but I really enjoyed it. How would you compare the ride between the two? Comparing the two I notice that the Street Machine has a direct USS connection, and the GH has a connecting rod. Does this make a significant difference in how it handles? Other than visibility, is there any advantages with the seat height being at 21" (GH) or 25" (SM) ? I'm still gravitate towards the GH, but need to reconcile with my conflicted emotions. :-)<br /><br />I really appreciate your great review.<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />AndrewAndrew Wedlakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08241127115859935685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048540434559497828.post-79316566390491725542012-07-02T10:16:47.297-04:002012-07-02T10:16:47.297-04:00Absolutely not. It's as perfect as the day it...Absolutely not. It's as perfect as the day it was made. The folding mechanism is many times more durable than what you'll see on other bikes and trikes.<br />- RRobert Matsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11706818647792433678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048540434559497828.post-13953693034098074042012-07-01T20:37:46.796-04:002012-07-01T20:37:46.796-04:00Hey Robert,
How is the folding mechanism holding ...Hey Robert,<br /><br />How is the folding mechanism holding up after a year (or more now?) of use? Does is flex/squeak at all?<br /><br />Cheers,<br />Rob<br /><br />----------------<br />www.14degrees.orgRob Thomsonhttp://www.14degrees.orgnoreply@blogger.com