[Lisa Schamback]

My husband and I are seriously thinking of buying a recumbent tandem bike. We need some advice on what to purchase. We are looking at the RANS screamer, or the EZ Tandem made by SUN. Any comments or concerns about either one?undefined

[The BikeForums Team]

This is an archived thread, you can find the full version of this thread, with images, links and more content here.

Ready to buy? Check out these two online bike stores:
- http://www.nashbar.com (you can find the latest bike nashbar coupons in this thread)
- http://www.performancebike.com (you can find the latest performance bike coupons in this thread)

Cya on the forums,
- The BikeForums Team
- http://www.bikeforums.net

[bentbaggerlen]

Lisa,
The two bikes your looking at are at completely different ends of the spectrum, in performance and price. You really need to ride both of the bikes before making up your mind. Both are good bikes for the price, but you need to look at the way you plan on using the bike. Fast club rides or ice cream rides? Long distance touring or around the block? Ive had a chance to put at least a few miles on most of the tandem recumbent bikes (and trikes) that have been offered for sale over the years.

The Screamer is probably the most popular recumbent tandem ever built. The base model Sport Screamer starts at $3499.00 It is a well designed bike and handles well, we have about 20,000 miles on ours and for the most part it has performed flawlessly.

The Sun EZ Tandem lists for just under $2000.00. It handles well for a long wheel base tandem. And for the asking price is really a good value. But if your looking for a "fast" bike you may be disapointed.

You may also want to look at the Barcroft Columbia, very close to Rans Screamer, but shorter. http://www.barcroftcycles.com/bikes.html#columbia It has a nice ride, and the short wheel base makes it easy to handle.

Any other bikes you have looked at?
What bikes have you ruled out?
And why?

[mchell]

Lisa, I don't have the depth of experience of bentbaggerlen, but I can speak highly of the Rans Screamer. We have had ours now for a little over a year and are very happy with it. You MUST test ride whatever bent tandems you can find as the difference in "feel" is quite significance. We chose the Screamer as it's components are high end and we've come to appreciate the hubs which roll forever, wheels that stay true, gears that change smoothly and predictably, Raceface cranks and chain rings that seem to be indestructible, a drag brake as standard equipment, and excellent dealer support, even up here in Canada! We also liked the "feel"; steering at first seemed twitchy, but not any longer. Weaknesses? Primo Comet tires wear quickly, so our second set has a more aggressive tread pattern. 54-44-32 chainrings and an 11-32 cassette is not a very good hill-climbing arrangement. This may be fine for Kansas, but not for our neck of the woods. We switched to 48-36-26 chainrings and an 11-34 cassette and we're happy hill-climbers now!