Which Companies to Check out???

[Nala]

Hey all,

I have had several people recommend a Recumbent for me because of a servere back and neck problem that limits my ability to ride a conventional frame road bike. I have never looked at them and I don't know what companies make them.
Can you all suggest some Recumbent brands that I should check out? I am not going to spend BIG money on one, I am on a budget so you should keep that in mind when suggesting a brand for me to check out. I am not going to buy junk either, I just cannot afford a $3,000 bike.
Who makes the BEST cycles for the money?
Any information or link syou can supply for me to look at would be very helpful and appreciated.
Thanks

Nala

[aikigreg]

Depends on what kind you want. There are the long wheelbase ones, which are very stable and sit you more upright like a road bike does, but are on the heavy side. There are the short wheelbase bikes which (IMHO) are faster and lighter, but have a bit more learning curve, and there are the trikes - 3 wheeled recumbent.

If I remember you right from the road cyclists forum, then I would recommend a short wheelbase bent. I think they ive you the best chance at speed to be able to ride with the roadies. I'm not the most knowledgeable here, but I would look at Volae, Rans, and Bachetta. Some of their bikes will be out of your budget, but look at ALL of them you can, and ride as many as you can until you get an idea what you want. I would also look at Burley for value bikes.

Hopefully you're in a city with a shop that sells them so you can try it out. If not, get on some recumbent boards like Bentrideronline and see if you can meet up with people in your area and try theirs out. This is an extremely friendly community - without their help I would have never gone with a bent, since they are few and far between here.

[cjscott]

Check out Action Bent they have the best bike for the money ,
they outfit thier bikes with the best components on the market, the only drawback is they are sold as kits ,but you could just pay a local bike shop to assemble it for you for probably around $100 or less if you don't want to assemble it yourself. I was able to assemble myself. I just purchased the Tidalwave 2 uss(under seat steering) after extensive research, the components it has other bike companies are asking around $3000 and they have a sale on some of them now and I got mine with shipping a little over $800. Also Randy the owner who sells the bike, is great with any questions or problems, he totally completely stands by his bikes, the customer service is outstanding. www.actionbent.com

[MrEWorm]

Go to a local bike shop, not Wal-Mart, and ask about the EZ-1. Take a look at what are called compact long wheel base models.
Also check http://bentrideronline.com/ for reviews on recumbent models.

[Nala]

I am certainly going to check out the 'Bents, it looks like they could be a viable option for me.
We only have 1 good shop in the area and it is owned by my friend. He doesn't carry 'bents. As a matter of fact the only ones I have ever seen around here are the ones that have 4 wheels or 3 wheels and are being ridden by elderly people. I have never seen one of the bents that you all would be riding, the serious kind.
I am going to check out the companies you all listed and talk to my friend about my options and see what he thinks. If he cannot comfortably and SAFELY fit me with a conventional frame, I will have to go with a bent if I want to ride again.
Thanks for the advice and information.

Nala

[sappho1949]

Sun bicycles makes several recumbents and they are distributed by J&B importers, so just about any bike shop could order one for you. These bikes are well-made and most have decent components. The two that are probably the easiest to learn are the EZ-1 which is a longish wheel base (also considered a compact long wheelbase) and comes with a hi-tensile steel frame or a chromemoly frame (somewhat lighter weight), and the EZ-Sport, a long wheel base with some cool retro-curved styling. The EZ-1 has two 20" wheels, while the Sport has a 20" front wheel and a 26" rear wheel. Both bikes are very easy to ride and both are very comfortable. You can check them out on the Easy Racer web site. Though they were designed by the creator of the Easy Racer bikes, they are actually built in Taiwan and sold by Sun bicycles. For the money, I think they are offering some of the best recombents around. They have several other models, including two trikes that are pretty neat, too. (No, not the upright retirement community 3-wheeled bikes that you refer to...these trikes are a whole 'nother thing).

[aikigreg]

Try some bents anyway. I was fitted for as comfortable a roadbike as you can get - the trek pilot. It's a wonderful bike, but even with it's comfort designed geometry I get a sore neck and I don't have any neck problems.

And if you get a "comfort bike," which is what I had originally, you will rarely have longer than a 15 mile ride. They're HORRIBLE bikes. After about mile 10 my butt and knees were more sore than I have EVER been on a regular road bike. Suspension seatposts are horrid.

Whatever you decide, enjoy it to the fullest.

[tornadobass]

We have a RANS Rocket which is fast fast, comfortable and affordable. Take a look! One of the most popular models around.

[geeklpc1985]

Sun (http://www.sunbicycles.com/03/html_04/recumbents/recumbents_home.html)

I use to have two of Sun bents, I broke one, but still have the other. The bikes are under $800, here in Madison.

Good Luck,

GEEK

[caddesigner1]

Another company that makes real nice entry level recumbents is Cycle Genius. http://www.cyclegenius.com/main.htm

I bought a Cycle Genius ALX-20 and I real love it. It is a real fun ride.

[jeff-o]

www.catrike.com

'nuff said.

[Big Bad John]

Nala: Since you have severe neck and back problems, it may be better to look for a recumbent without a hardshell seat so your body doesn't have to conform to a hard contour. The mesh type (Kool-back type) seats may be better, since they give a bit and conform to your body more. Many makers use this type of seat, and it is an option on many others.

As far as cost goes, either Sun Bicycles or Cycle Genius will get you in at the lowest possible price point and with decent components. If balance is an issue, you may want to check out the trikes (delta trikes have one wheel in front and two in back like your granny's old 3-wheeler, and the tadpole trikes have two wheels in front and one in back, but sit much lower for improved aerodynamics and speed) that Sun and Cycle Genius offer. Getting on and off of the tadpole may be more of a challenge if your back and neck problems cause mobility issues.

The time-worn and time-tested advice is to get to a shop who has recumbents to ride as many different ones as you can. The special trip is worth the cost and time. Even the entry-level recumbents aren't inexpensive, and if you plan to spend a significant amount of time on one, splurge for the trip to a dealer with a large selection even if it delays your purchase for while. You'll be glad you did. Please let us know what you decide on, and regale us with the stories of your rides. If you need more help, just holler. Big Bad John

[Paul L.]

I had a back problem and the hard shell seat doesn't hurt it. My pain was due more to the muscles not liking the road position when pedalling hard. I ride a Bacchetta Strada High Racer and have seen my Avg Speed jump up quite a bit due to being ablt to push as hard as I want without fearing the back. I would recommend you take some long test rides on all types of bents. I went with a high racer because I liked the speed and also the fact that I was a little higher for visiblity.