Unexpectedly Awesome Highboy Racer

Your bent looks great!

 

I like them even though I don' ride them. I would ride one if I could.

 

On a side note, the accepted label is "highracer." Calling it a "highboy racer" sounds somewhat dismissive, like they're for kids.

 

True 'dat. But that IS a grownups title, and I'm not sure I've achieved that status yet... ;-)

 

1. I'm not sure how 'rare' the seat struts are/were. They were an option. One I wouldn't consider doing without.
2. The seat struts would increase pedaling efficiency a little, but probably not equal to the efficiency loss of having a front shock.
3. Be careful with the seat recline. It looks like your shoulders are very nearly behind the rear axle. If you pass that point, such as with further recline, handing will get bad in a hurry. I'm pretty much at that point with my V-Rex; so I can't recline further even though it would help immensely with speed by reducing frontal area.

 

Obviously the MTB fork worked but did you do any modifying to make it work??
Did you shop for a specific length?

 

Hello - nope, no hardware mods whatsoever. Standard 1 1/8" tube, fit perfectly, didn't even need a new headset. As I mentioned above, the only mod I made at all was to zip tie the brake cable to the fork, so it wouldn't interfere with the chain. Also, choose a 26 inch tire small enough to minimize pedal interference.

 

Soooo… the experiment is over. At the end of the day, the step over height was just too difficult and dangerous for me. The rider position remained exquisite, the speed stellar, but it was an ungainly Challenge to get on, get off, and at every stop sign.

I chose to try the SWB position next. Same comfort, similar aggressive riding posture, just incredibly easier to mount and dismount.

Oh, and it’s not as fast. It IS faster than the LWB configuration, but not as fast as the high racer. I’m experimenting with front wheels and tires - I’m testing a Tioga PowerBlock 20x1.95, a Tioga Fastr X Sigma 20x1.75, and a Schwalbe Fat Apple 20x2.0, looking for the best combination of speed and ride quality.

Still, I declare the project an engineering success, as the bike did perform in a new and interesting way.

 

Love reading about your experiments. Keep us posted.

 

For some reason I can't edit my previous post, and I was going to add a picture of the Canto SWB - so here it is!

Interestingly, in SWB form, the Canto is almost a dead ringer for the Burley Hepcat. The differences are subtle - the Hepcat has a slightly more upturned body weld which places your feet a few inches higher than the Canto. So the Canto is a bit less aggressive, but I do so love the seat/pedal relationship in this setup. And it's just doggone easy to stepover, start and stop. Oh and with the LWB neck sticking out in front of the chainrings, I'm no longer accused of having Speed Racer's Saw Blades in front!

Another interesting thing is that I went back to the Chromoly steel fork, but went with the original 19mm rim/Deore hub/ 32 spoke wheel - it seems that a 32 spoke wheel is simply a bit more compliant than a 36 spoke wheel, noticeably so when riding. With no suspension it does make for a touch more comfort. Plus I found a home for my Tioga FastR-X BLK LBL 20x1.75 on the front of the Canto - it's a terrific ride, a super light tire, and comes with a monster puncture guard. The 1.75 means I've got about a half inch between the tire and the fork crown (!) but road bikes cut it that close all the time, hasn't been an issue yet.

What has been an issue is the interference between the chain path and the Cane Creek front brake I'd been using, so I switched to a short Tektro V-brake, "crisis averted!"

Also! in all this excitement I whacked a pothole and bent my original rear rim! So I picked up a nifty Deore XT replacement 26 inch rear wheel, with a rather odd but well reviewed welded steel rim, a "SUN TCR 0 deg XC". It feels a touch slower, but the bearings in the XT are sublime, so it's been even more of a Cadillac ride. It may contribute to a touch less speed, or it just could be me... Still going with the fast, bullet proof Continental Sport Contact 26x1.6, a wonderful combination of speed, ride, and toughness. Never had a flat on it.

I DO like this configuration, it's simply fun and refined to ride every day. It's also my best spec'd out components. Keep Riding...!