Raptobike Low Racer
Double mirrors. Without them you know nothing about what's behind...
Start position. Any low gear is fine, give it a hard push.
Crank position at 10:30, to make the first push as long and effective as possible.
Speed first, then balance come by itself. You need to practice slow driving, alone in the beginning...
Some important details. I find the head rest essential for a comfortable ride.
I picked the adjustable Nazca, twice as expensive as the fixed carbon original, about 90 Euro.
Front fork is straight, with zero offset. So no-hands is not recommended and hard to perform.
The steering is very direct, and this calls for even more practice, preferably in a protected area where no one can see you to start with.
Turning radius is large, more like a car. Needs practice too, and some planning when riding.
Also, you see that the chair can be tilted even more, there are five positions between 20-25 degrees.
Getting out is very difficult if the Raptobike is standing still. This is how to do it:
Brake, but not to a halt. When almost stopped, still moving slowly, put both feet to the ground firmly, rise and let go the brakes so the bike rolls on under you. Like giving birth, perhaps.
Be careful if ground is wet, your feet may slide.
This is also something you need to practice a lot, in splendid isolation.
You must get up in style, and this is the only way to do it...
My Raptobike reseller, near Lille on our way home from Paris.
They had the best possible service and a start lesson, this is where I learned to ride a bike again:
www.atoutvelos.com
Enthusiast reseller Thierry giving me important knowledge, in French.
Note my well tucked in trousers. No need to get stuck in the chain...
Thierry's son were in good shape and ran next to me until I found my balance
I am not publishing any images on that moment...
Raptobike fits inside a Mitsubishi Colt, saving gas and speed, if you can put up with a hard armrest
However, do not forget to load the rear wheel too...
I forgot mine outside the motel (Hamburg Stillhorn), noticed the loss in Puttgarden, called the motel, they found and kindly kept the wheel until a week later when we passed by again in our mobile home, going to Spain. That is why the Rapto' have a temporary rear wheel on some of my images, but now it is back to ship shape again!
I was not allowed to have it in bed the first night, but it could come up to our motel room.
The bike is light and easily carried in stairs.
August
I am training every day, it takes a while to become one with my machine, but I can feel it coming. Stopping is tricky at first, doing that wrong will result in a ridiculous fall-over. As the speed is low, the damage will be your self confidence only. Do not fall over when someone can see you!
I ride 15-30 km every morning before breakfast, not falling over anymore. I can stop in style even with people around. I know how steep hills I can manage (all, so far) and I stop at all crossings where I cannot see in all directions. Better safe than sorry!
Most of all, I enjoy. Speed is increasing and I swing along, getting better every day. I love it!
September
I drove 67 km with clips on for the first time the other day. It works wery well as long as one remembers the feet are stuck, when stopping...
I had to move the clips up a bit and ease the shoe velcro tension a bit to get some blood back to my toes, but that was just a matter of adjustment. The shoe clips are recessed and my new aluminium pedals have a "regular" side too, so in narrow areas I use the no-clips mode.
I have two rear flashing lights. This one is glued with CA and it seems to stay in place.
Plenty of space left between lamp and spokes, over a millimeter!
In front I wanted to have something small, away from my feet, flashing strong.
This slim Cateye does the job well, for about 20 €.
Straps, CA glue and a sharp knife on old plastic lamp mounts was used for mounting lights.
In Sweden, we all drive cars with lights on, it's much safer also in daylight. And the law.
This common fact is even more important to bikers. So, use your lights, also in daytime!
The chain. No tubes here.
I have 8 gears, they are well composed and, so far, just what I need.
The view. Nice looking and very good rear mirrors (CycleStar by Busch & Müller KG), asymmetrically fitted at present, but I will move one so both sits at the ends of handlebar.
The bell was bought for it's sound, not for it's design...
Photos: Gärd and Anders O Blomberg © 2008
PS. Yes, I do wear a helmet when riding in traffic...