An interesting observation from learning MBB

nobrakes

Well-Known Member
Yesterday myself and my wife went out for a tandem ride on the Nazca Quetzal. It's the first time I've been back on a non MBB bike since I built the V20. I've only had about 6 hours on the V due to family commitments and the onset of Scottish winter (and therefore high levels of nasty salt on the roads), but in that time I adapted pretty quick and was fairly comfortable on the bike.

Interestingly, the first mile on the Quetzal was a comedy act that resembled a drunkard lurching down the village high street, weaving from side to side. I literally couldn't keep the bike in a straight line even when I deliberately relaxed my upper body and arms. I also found the bike refusing to go the way I wanted on occasion at higher speed, as I was still plugged into the MBB neural pathways. This is a 30KG bike that is super stable and easy to ride. I soon got back into the groove but it gave rise to an interesting observation - the way we pedal still affects the steering on an RWD bike, but just in a different way from MBB. I suspect we feed back subtle signals via the legs to the body even when the boom is fixed and we become used to incorporating that into our steering. Also it became clear that neither is easier or harder than the other - they are just different.

One thing I did notice was that I have very quickly become used to the necessary articulation of the pelvis during turning on MBB that feels very natural once you're used to it, particularly in conjunction with the engagement of the upper body. It feels quite holistic. Having a fixed boom on corners felt a bit strange and 2 dimensional at first, almost like there was something missing. It'll be interesting to see how that difference manifests over time as I get more used to MBB and also swapping between the two platforms.

https://www.strava.com/activities/1270632631
 

Gary123

Zen MBB Master
Lot of adaptation in 6 hours. Raises the question when will there be a cruzbike tandem? Anyone built one?
 

nobrakes

Well-Known Member
I think Charles made one if I remember from BROL?

Recumbent tandeming is great fun. Great equaliser for mixed ability riding and they are so rare you always get people wondering what on earth you are riding. My 10 year old daughter comes out with me using crank shorteners too.
 

nobrakes

Well-Known Member
She probably trusts me more than she should! :)

Temperature dropped close to zero about a week ago - we are also up at around 600ft above sea level so a bit colder. Lowest in the morning so far has been -3. Brrr.
 

Uphill

Member
It interesting how quickly you adapt if you have a range of bikes. I ride a road bike, recumbent, folding small wheel bike, tandem, mtn bike. Last Wednesday I rode my folder in the morning, tandem over lunch / afternoon and recumbent in the evening. if I had planned it better I could hsve ridden more platforms in a single day.
 

super slim

Zen MBB Master
She probably trusts me more than she should! :)

Temperature dropped close to zero about a week ago - we are also up at around 600ft above sea level so a bit colder. Lowest in the morning so far has been -3. Brrr.
You must be as close to the North Pole as Ratz!!!
 

Zzzorse

Zen MBB Master
Lot of adaptation in 6 hours. Raises the question when will there be a cruzbike tandem? Anyone built one?

A Cruzbike tandem would be interesting,

tandem-recumbent-jpg.5322
 
Top