Lightning riders

Paul Copeland

Completed P-38 build

G’day Tim,

I completed my Lightning P-38 build last Friday. Four rides so far, fair to say the first 3 km ride was rather bracing and comical. But feeling much more comfortable now, especially following the advice of being a light touch on the bars. Hopefully will have 100 km on by the end of the week.

Campagnolo gears and shifters are working well, and I ended up using TRP RG957 long reach calliper brakes. They are working well too. At first I was concerned about how effective left turns would be with the cable stopping large wheel movements, but as I’m sure you know it seems a non-issue; the wheel never needs to turn that far. Certainly can climb, I managed to post a 4th best time on the climb out of my street on my second ride, fair to say I gave it a bit. My biggest challenge now is uphill starts.

I’ve attached some photos which you are more than welcome to use on your website or Facebook. I have posted about the build on the Facebook Recumbent Rider and OzHPV groups. Also will post more photos of it on Instagram (@saintplc) once I start to make it to a few more picturesque locales.

Specs of my build are as follows:

  • Crankset: Campagnolo Record (50/34)
  • Front Derailleur: Campagnolo Record
  • Rear Derailleur: Campagnolo Record
  • Rear Cassette: Campagnolo Centaur (11-32)
  • Shifters: Campagnolo 11 speed bar-end/tri shifters
  • Brakes: TRP RG957 long reach callipers
  • Hubs: Miche RG2 (28 holes)
  • Rear Rim: Velocity A23 (622) (2 cross lacing)
  • Front Rim: Alex Rims Moulton 406 (radial lacing)
  • Rear Tyre: Rene Herse Chinook Pass 700Cx28
  • Front Tyre: Panaracer Minits Lite (28-406)
  • Weight (without pedals): 10.89 kg

Bike is beautiful except for a scratch on the top tube. I’ll live with that, might put a sticker over it. As a note a 1,900 mm Campy rear derailleur cable just reached the distance required.

Thanks again Tim for the lovely bike and putting up with my many questions prior to purchase.

Cheers,

Paul

Paul Copeland's P-38 build
Paul Copeland's P-38 build
Paul Copeland's P-38 build

For a forum for questions and sharing ideas, visit the P-38 page on Facebook.