Thorn Raven Tour and Geekiness

daviddd

For anyone that's interested I'm posting pics of the bike in an advanced stage of expedition setup, and my handlebar setup, which took a great deal of fiddle to get right, but seems very comfortable.

What's the geekiness thing about? :shock: Well, I've also posted lots of info on the davidddinoz blog http://www.davidddinoz.blogspot.com/ about my solar charging / technogeek stuff that I'll be taking with me. (I've been rather a busy boy today! 8) )

jibi

Oh come on

A real geek would have a catalyst not a tour

But in truth... nice bike except for the constricting carbon "ends"

won't they squeeze and restrict breathing?

I looked at them but went for normal bar ends.

I look forward to your tales from OZ

Good luck

Tailwinds
george

daviddd

No, the bars are the best thing about the set up - akin to riding 'on the tops' on drops. It just feels good - mind you I do like a low position, I'm quite bendy really, and it helps in headwinds. The stubbies feel so good to touch too, always warm-feeling and ultra smooth lol.

amaferanga

Thorns look fine unless they have an absurd stack of spacers. Yours doesn't, but that makes it one of a small minority. It looks very functional, pretty much like a mtb tourer.

Just had a look at your blog and...... I've never seen a bike tourist with so many gadgets! I'd be interested to know how they all stand up to the dust, heat and bumping around on your tour.

I'm in the 'take as few gadgets as possible' category as I like to just sit around and enjoy what's around me in the evenings; gadgets keep you a bit closer to home IMO. But hey, each to their own.

Hope your trip goes well

daviddd

You think I've got a lot Amaferanga - there's much worse from what I've seen lol. I've chosen robust stuff, and I'm familiar with it all (or will be before I go) and if something fails, I'll just do without. Fingers crossed.

Philip Davis

Looks a great set up - I think a properly set up Raven looks great, no frills, just pure function. Have you thought about Cane Creek bar ends? They are great, they add a really good handling option, especially on difficult ground (you get more leverage).

Hope that with all that electronic stuff to organise you don't forget a puncture repair kit ;-)

Cunobelin

Thou art a mere beginner.............

Seve Roberts' BEHEMOTH (Big Electronic Human-Energized Machine Only Too Heavy) is a little dated, but a model toaspire to gor a "Techno-bike"

http://microship.com/bike/behemoth/index.html

For a taster:

Console

* Macintosh 68K (control GUI and primary workspace)
* Bicycle Control Processor (FORTH 68HC11)
* Ampro 286 DOS platform for CAD system
* Toshiba 1000 repackaged laptop for scrolling FAQ
* 80 MB hard disk space
* Audapter speech synthesizer
* Speech recognition board
* Trimble GPS satellite navigation receiver
* Audio and serial crosspoint switch networks (homebrew)
* PacComm packet TNC (VHF datacomm)
* MFJ 1278 for AMTOR (HF datacomm)
* Diagnostic tools (LED matrix, DPM, etc)
* Handlebar keyboard processor
* Ultrasonic head mouse controller
* Icom 2-meter transceiver; dedicated Larsen half-wave antenna on seat
* Radiation monitor
* Cordless phone and answering machine on RJ-11 bus
* Folding 6-segment aluminum console
* Fiberglass fairing

RUMP (white enclosure behind seat)

* Stereo System (Blaupunkt speakers, Yamaha 18W amp)
* 10 GHz Microwave motion sensor (security)
* UNGO physical motion sensor (security)
* Rump Control Processor (FORTH 68HC11)
* Audio crosspoint network, bussed to console
* Ampro DOS core module for heads-up display
* LED taillight switch-mode controller (including turn signal logic)
* Single LED taillight cluster
* Motorola 9600-baud packet modem for backpack link
* 7-liter helmet-cooling tank and pump
* Personal accessory storage
* Air compressor for pneumatic system
* 15 amp-hour sealed lead-acid battery (1 of 3)

Brain-Interface Unit (Helmet)

* Reflection Technology Private Eye display
* Ultrasonic head-mouse sensors
* Helmet lights (2)
* Life Support Systems heat exchanger for head cooling
* Setcom headset with boom microphone
* Rear-view mirror on gimbaled mount
* Jacks for stereo ear-insert headphones

SPARCpack (aluminum case atop RUMP)

* Sun SPARCstation IPC with 12MB RAM and 424 MB disk
* Sharp Color active-matrix display
* Motorola 9600-baud packet modem
* 10-watt solar panel

Trailer

* 72-watt Solarex photovoltaic array (4.8 Amps at 12V)
* Qualcomm OmniTRACS satellite terminal
* Ham Radio station:
o Icom 725 for HF
o Yaesu 290/790 for VHF and UHF
o AEA Television transceiver
o Audio filtration and Magic Notch
o Antenna management and SWR/power meters
o Automatic CW keyer
o Outbacker folding dipole antenna on fiberglass mast
o Dual-band VHF/UHF antenna
* Oki cellular phone, repackaged and integrated
* Telebit CellBlazer high-speed modem
* Telular Celjack RJ-11 interface
* Credit card verifier for on-the-road sales
* Trailer Control Processor (FORTH 68HC11)
* Audio crosspoint network, bussed to console
* Bike power management hardware
* Two 15 amp-hour sealed lead-acid batteries
* Security system pager
* Canon BubbleJet printer
* Fluke digital multimeter
* Mobile R&D lab, tools, parts, etc.
* Makita battery charger (for drill and flashlight)
* Microfiche documentation and CD library
* Camping, video, camera, personal gear
* Fiberglass-over-cardboard composite structure
* High-brightness LED taillight clusters

Bike- and Frame-Mounted Components

* Custom recumbent bicycle
* 105-speed transmission (7.9 - 122 gear inches)
* Pneumatically-deployed landing gear
* Pneumatic controls, pressure tank, air horn
* Hydraulic disk brake
* Under-seat steering
* Handlebar Chord Keyboard
* CD player

mazza

god that looks heavy and what would you do with all that stuff

daviddd

methinks that's taking geekiness a tad too far. Hope it's all waterproof! Don't you just love eccentric cyclists though?

jibi

He really is an Uber - geek

He rides a "bent" what do you expect

george

daviddd

I would be happy to be discussed as 'an eccentric cyclist' at my funeral. Well, no I wouldn't actually as I would be dead - but you know what I mean!

Eccentrics of all types hopefully break the boring mould of 21st century civilisation - where you are judged by the size of your brick or metal box and not by the size of your gut.

Tourist Tony

You want to see Valiant's bike-towed sound system, "Beatrix".
Better still, hear it!

AndyGates

davidd, what's that weird brown thing behind your head tube? I can't work out if it's a banana skin or a very small monkey.

Tourist Tony

Having met David, I can reveal that that object is, in fact, David himself.
He hasn't a clue about bike fit.

daviddd

That's my pet monkey! Goes everywhere with me, handy to talk to when I get lonely!! Mebbe I should give him a name....