Riding M5 recumbents to the North Cape: today and twenty years ago. |
June 19th, 2012 |  |
 Every now and then we browse through our archives, which have become rather extensive over the years and stumble upon thing of interest. For instance, we found a beautiful, old card from one of our clients, from times when computers were all but mainstream.Even then, in 1993, already large trips were undertaken to destinations like the North Cape, carrying 40 kilograms of luggage and covering daily distances of 150 km. Delightful to see the difference in reporting such a trip in 1993 and in 2012. Our current North Cape specialist Arthur van der Lee from Heinenoord (Netherlands) departs tomorrow for his third trip to the far north. Using his updated M5 Low Racer (26 inch/28 inch wheels) via Helsinki to the North Cape and back over Narvik, Abisko and Kiruna to Gotheborg. While Wout Stoffel sent handmade cards, Arthur will report by image and word on his blog, being the professional IT-er he is. A lot has changes in twenty years time. What didn't change are the wonderful landscapes up there and the personal experience of riding through them in permanent daylight. Thanks to modern media, it's nowadays possible to follow all this at a distance. Picture 1: Arthur van der Lee ready to depart in the port of Rotterdam. Picture 2: Front side of card with route from Wout Stoffel in 1993. Picture 3: Short report at the back of Wout Stoffels card. Check Arthur's blog at: | ||
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Superior new world record of 56.597 km!! |
May 31st, 2012 | |
Aurelien Bonneteau (29) from Bordeaux, France rides with his M5 sponsored recumbent the last standing upright bike world record to tatters on bicycletrack in Bordeaux | ||
) Almost everybody, except the real insiders, considered it to be impossible: breaking the super hour record by professional racer Chris Boardman. He had a remarkable stretched and low seating position which almost nobody but himself could maintain. Combined with an enormous power output this resulted in massive speeds.Since recumbent racing is performed and records set with ever decreasing seat angles, especially on the standard M5 Carbon High Racers (like Niels van der Wal, Gertjan Wijers and of course Aurelien Bonneteau), we were convinced: at some point the last racing bike record has to give way, even if the challenger doesn't even have an amateur status. Increasingly more reclined models emerged, like the one launched by Bram Moens in October 2011. Approaching a more and more horizontal seating position required a real shoulder support to prevent sliding backwards while pushing the pedals. At the same time this new feature provided an increase in efficiency. Result is a bike that reaches speeds well beyond 50 km/h, without the use of an aerodynamic tailfairing. Aurelien delivered "just" 365 Watt during his 57 km hour record. With the power input of a professional racer a bike like this can easily be ridden above 60 km/h. Not in a sprint, but if necessary for hours. Lets return to the big winner Aurelien Bonneteau. When he improved the then standing world record three years ago, it was clear that we would hear more from him. M5 supported him already with the bike itself and with aero accessories like disk wheels. Subsequently several world records followed on the by M5 sponsored fully standard M5 Carbon Low Racer. Aurelien told about the run-up to the record that he started in December 2011 with training. He covered about 8000 km, of which a considerable part on the track in Bordeaux itself. Almost all training kilometres were done on his M5 Carbon High Racer. During this time he gradually worked towards the use of shorter cranks of 130 mm, for aerodynamic reasons. This necessitated high pedalling frequencies (up to 130 rpm). At the moment still a discussion takes place among a very small group of astonished American purists led by Sean Costin about the use of Aureliens convex soled shoes. Aurelien told me he needed those to be able to achieve a better balans immediately after dismounting his recumbent. By the way, these models are sold for years already at the better equiped shoestores and are meant for daily use. Interesting to note is that this was Aurelien's first record attempt, by which we want to say that the developments are far from over. The sound barrier is closer than ever! | ||
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M5 on regional television. Sorry, Dutch only..... |
April 16th, 2012 | |
) www.omroepzeeland.nl/nieuws/2012-04-16/117674/middelburgse-ligfiets-op-toernee#.T4xvndXFCiQ | ||
M5 brakes in top of test in German bike magazin `TOUR` |
April 16th, 2012 | |
) In a simultaneous test of a total of eight different brakesets in the higher price range, the M5 brakeset came out as one of the best. Especially when looking to price/quality.Particularly the enormous brakingforce and the flawless finish were mentioned. Download de test or click on the picture. | ||
Always a decent businesscard within reach! |
March 16th, 2012 | |
QR, braille and standard text | ||
) Soon available in three complete different "languages": M5 shirts with very remarkable logo's.The first one tries to meet the demands of the irresistible digital appetite of the smartphone users through the QR logo. The second one shows M5 in braille with the standard M5 logo on the reverse side. These unique shirts are available in different sizes and colors and works with a hidden zipper which runs towards the two front pockets. If you are interested in these items then inform us with sizing and color so we can ship them as soon as they are finished. Shirt A: QR + braille logo + M5 logo, color black Shirt B: braille logo + M5 logo, color blue Price of this very cool shirt is 58 Euro (excl.VAT and shipping, this price for non EC residents only) EC residents: 69 Euro excl. shipping | ||
Recumbent tandem more & more popular |
December 19th, 2011 | |
Ewen and Tie on their M5 tandem plus trailer | ||
) We had a great trip from Lyon to Marseille, passing through Cevennes Mountains.+ Ascension 10 000 m 900 kms of pleasure. Maximum speed 71km/h (44 mph) We plan a new trip to the north of Norway or Island next summer... As Ewen and Tien stated | ||
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Rediscovering cycling by means of the M-Racer recumbent door Michel v. Pluijm |
December 6th, 2011 | |
 I would like to share my first recumbent experiences with you. For inspiration, information and to share this happiness with people who want to do the same. 25 years ago I also had fun riding the bike along pretty long distances. Recently I decided to make that same bike roadworthy again, this time for commuting. 15 km one way, with the feeling of past times in my head, I started enthusiastically. In a little more than half an hour I was there. What a great feeling to arrive on your bicycle! However, it was quite an exercise and at 20 degrees centigrade there was certainly sweating. And by the way: also pain in my neck. You just forget about these things. So, I wanted speed, without sweating.To preserve the experience of cycling I first considered a fully faired racing trike! But after many evenings of googling, talking to people and getting information at shops I ended up at M5. The M-Racer with two 28 inch wheels suited my wishes best: speed at straight parts, with minimum effort. Although I wanted to make a decision after the winter, I thought it was okay to make a test ride. After riding around Middelburg and neighbourhood for an afternoon everything became clear. I waited for three more weeks but then I ordered a Cr-Mo M-Racer! Obviously you collect a bike by going there by bike. So I invited two friends with ordinary racing bikes to accompany me on the 150 km ride home. We like a challenge. During the trip the advantages of my racer became apparent. The recumbent position on the bike was something I immediately liked a lot. Comfortable, for the whole 150 km! Lovely. Even with the problems you encounter as a beginner I already had much more speed than my poor friends. I could hardly believe it. A feeling of control wasn't there immediately, but by now I have commuted for a week to work and I dare to corner square angled bike paths while lying down. The more you ride it, the more you relax, enjoy the ride and develop speed. I still have doubts on the claim that it only rains 7% of the time if you ride daily, but up till now I can only observe that it is correct! And an extra set of dry cloths at work solves that problem too. Didn't need them up till now. I rediscovered cycling, thanks to my new machine. translation by D. Siepman | ||
M5 interviewd by IEEE Spectrum, the magazine of technology insiders |
December 5th, 2011 | |
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 With more then 400.000 subscribers, with most of them working in the engineering scene, we felt quite honored to be elected for a an interview.So soon coming on this site and on the IEEE site: the interview with M5 about all the ins and outs of M5. | ||
New demountable rear carriers almost finished! |
November 25th, 2011 | |
) The new aluminium carriers are nearly finished! Currently, the brand new and demountable racks areglass bead blasting and anodised. The carrier consists of an upper plate (which also serves as a fender) with laser-cut holes for click-on bags. A solid aluminium round end piece connects the carrier plate and both carrier stems by means of M10 fine thread connections. The base of the aluminum legs are flat oval pressed for an optimal contact with the frame. The carrier plate and the stems are glass bead blasting prior to the anodizing. The twisted / milled adapter is gloss anodized. | ||
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Closing day in november |
November 14th, 2011 | |
| Due to a course the M5 shop will be closed on november 29. | ||
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