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Haynes Roadster suspension/handling?
nick205 - 13/10/09 at 01:46 PM

I appreciate there is an element of "depends how accurately it's made" within this question, but how does a well made Haynes Roadster compare in terms of suspension design/geometry and handling to some of the common 7 type kits.

Is the basic suspension design good, bad or indifferent?

Mr Whippy - 13/10/09 at 02:02 PM

tbh I'd say it depends far more on who's driving it

RAYLEE29 - 13/10/09 at 02:06 PM

Hi, I am building a haynes Roadster and believe that it will be a very well handling car although i havent been in one.
If your thinking of building one there is an active alternative site where you might get a better answer to your question as there are only a few complete cars out there. search for haynes forums and youll find it
My answer to your Question is in no way intended to detract from the usefullness and helpfullness of this site as I certainly find it a very good resourse, just pointing you in the direction of an alternative place to ask your particular Question

cd.thomson - 13/10/09 at 02:12 PM

quote:
Originally posted by RAYLEE29
Hi, I am building a haynes Roadster and believe that it will be a very well handling car although i havent been in one.
If your thinking of building one there is an active alternative site where you might get a better answer to your question as there are only a few complete cars out there. search for haynes forums and youll find it
My answer to your Question is in no way intended to detract from the usefullness and helpfullness of this site as I certainly find it a very good resourse, just pointing you in the direction of an alternative place to ask your particular Question


We are still allowed to talk about t'other chris and his site - this post sounded like it was taken from an orwellian novel!!

nick205 - 13/10/09 at 02:12 PM

quote:
Originally posted by RAYLEE29
Hi, I am building a haynes Roadster and believe that it will be a very well handling car although i havent been in one.
If your thinking of building one there is an active alternative site where you might get a better answer to your question as there are only a few complete cars out there. search for haynes forums and youll find it
My answer to your Question is in no way intended to detract from the usefullness and helpfullness of this site as I certainly find it a very good resourse, just pointing you in the direction of an alternative place to ask your particular Question



Already a member of the Haynes forum, but wanted to ask the Q on here first as there's a bigger audience.

Really I'm after actual comparison of the suspension design against other similar cars - e.g. MK, MAC#1, Luego etc.

Cheers
Nick

nick205 - 13/10/09 at 02:14 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Mr Whippy
tbh I'd say it depends far more on who's driving it



Always a factor in keeping the car on the road, but if the basic design is sound then it's easier for the average driver to get more out of it.

Mr Whippy - 13/10/09 at 02:29 PM

^ true but tbh its a mine field of a topic. All you'll get is peoples opinions on their cars unless you take all the different makes round a track topgear style with the stig at the wheel.

RAYLEE29 - 13/10/09 at 02:36 PM

just didnt want to get in trouble by being helpfull

nick205 - 13/10/09 at 02:38 PM

quote:
Originally posted by RAYLEE29
just didnt want to get in trouble by being helpfull


no worries there

ashg - 13/10/09 at 03:35 PM

lesson of the day.........

Martin Keenan of MK had pretty big hand in the design of the roadster and Chris Gibbs the author of the book used to work for MK.

lets not get into a debate of this car is better than that as its quite hard to say/prove due to the many many variations kits come in.

lets just say the roadster comes from a strong blood line and you can build it to what ever spec you like.

as a chassis its a great foundation. but at the end of the day its up to the builder to make it what they want.

i am building a haynes and have made my own little touches to it as im sure everyone else has.

nick205 - 13/10/09 at 08:09 PM

quote:
Originally posted by ashg
lesson of the day.........

Martin Keenan of MK had pretty big hand in the design of the roadster and Chris Gibbs the author of the book used to work for MK.

lets not get into a debate of this car is better than that as its quite hard to say/prove due to the many many variations kits come in.

lets just say the roadster comes from a strong blood line and you can build it to what ever spec you like.

as a chassis its a great foundation. but at the end of the day its up to the builder to make it what they want.

i am building a haynes and have made my own little touches to it as im sure everyone else has.



I knew of the "bloodline" and Martin's involvement along the way. I suppose that's partly where the question came from I guess

frankie boy - 13/10/09 at 08:26 PM

Hi
I have now covered 5000 miles in my Haynes Roadster in just over a year, track days, motor way driving, and London traffic. I can only imagine it handles like an Mk.
As the 3rd Haynes roadster on the road, 1st being the prototype 2nd being partly by Mk. I haven’t had the chance to drive other seven type cars but fill very happy and confident with the handling. As a scratch build I would the handle would come down to the precision of the set up and the making of suspension parts.

David Jenkins - 13/10/09 at 09:01 PM

To be honest, just about all of the reputable makes will probably handle much better than you're used to, assuming that it's been set up reasonably well.

nick205 - 14/10/09 at 08:21 AM

quote:
Originally posted by David Jenkins
To be honest, just about all of the reputable makes will probably handle much better than you're used to, assuming that it's been set up reasonably well.


I'm pretty used to and confident with my Indy after 3 years driving, but it's now sold and I'm looking at the next project and wanting to make a step forward rather than back - if that makes sense!