Recumbent - Yellowbikes

Took a three hour ride to check out Optima Recumbents. I like them a lot and my purchase the "Dragon"
p.s. I have a brand new Trek 5200 for sale in classifieds if you know anyone. Only 10 miles on it. Yup, you read it right.
Steve

Steve,

Sorry I can't buy your 5200, buddy! But I have always been curious about those Yellowbikes.

You might want to tell everyone how they perform over time...recumbents are a wave of the future (not "the" wave, just "a" wave...but a real wave!)

Congratulations on your Optima purchase. I have visted their web site may a time and last year when in the Netherlands I was able to test ride a couple of Optima's. They have good components, excellent workmanship and like most Dutch bikes they go like sh-t.

I purchased another type of bike that looks very similar to some Optimas, a Challenge Distance and it too has been a fantastic new experience. There is a figure of one attached to this message similar to what I purchased.

The Europeans like their speed in all their bikes, but their roads and bike paths are better suited to cycling than North America.

Have fun on the road....send or post pictures.

How much did you pay for the Challenge Distance?

Also, I noticed the Optimas were in the 33 lb. weight range. How does this affect speed in hilly areas? Holland, where they are made, is flat, no?

I've ridden my new Optima Lynx for about 6 weeks now. The bike is such a blast to ride that I've clicked over 500 miles on almost daily rides. As a consequence, though the bike still weighs 33 pounds, the engine dropped ten pounds and climbs hills a lot easier than 6 weeks ago. Don't overfactor the bike's weight - you can always lighten the engine's weight and thus truly enhance riding performance. I've never ridden a bike so fast and far (and dang if my gams and gluts aren't really lookin' buff now!)

View me (in yellow) on my Lynx at
http://recumbents.topcities.com/photos.htm

So you're sold on Optima Lynx? That's the Optima I was most interested in. Being a major investment for a simple utilitarian cyclist, however, I have to be certain of my recumbent purchase, though I am excited about getting one. I commute about 30 miles daily, three or so days a week, in hilly areas. I tested a simple BikeE in a parking lot and fell in love with recumbents, if the parking lot is really enough to be sure. So far, I am thinking: Optima, Lightning, Reynolds Weld Lab, BikeE and Rans (the list sort of keeps getting longer...)

:)

Im trying to get my mom back in to cycling and we have been looking at the yellowbike line of 'bents... I think we have decided on a draggon tour, basicly the same as the lynx, but with under seat stearing.

Keep me updated! :)

Pete, if you're going to be commuting 30 miles you need to test ride more than a parking lot! Whether it's a CLWB like Bike E, a SWB like an Optima Lynx, or a LWB for that matter, try to arrange a trial period over several days or longer. Don't be disappointed if at first you're not as fast climbing in your hilly area, because it does take several weeks to develope leg muscles that are less used on an upright bike. That's what I experienced on my Lynx - I'm faster ascending the same hills now than several weeks ago. Yellowbike's 45-day trial period should leave plenty of time for you to decide if your bike is satisfactory - it'll only cost you the return shipping if not. Let me know if you'd like more input!

Originally posted by bentrox!
Let me know if you'd like more input!
I could use any input at any time, as I keep monitoring BikeForums. After having tried the recumbent (I know what you mean about a longer trial period, some companies offer that), I know instinctively it will work for me. The upright bike was not designed ergonomically, but evolved from hobby horse designs and later "froze"
in development because of silly racing rules. Today, with the freedom to design bikes according to what is best for the human body position, bike makers can offer better alternatives than reinventing the upright. Recumbents offer this more reasonable option for me, except my income level currently keeps me from buying a new bike of any kind. But my cycling enthusiasm will drive me to a recumbent eventually.

I can't understand why more people on these forums are not sold on 'bents!

Pete

I don't want to sound like a Yellowbike shill, but my Optima Lynx is proving to be such a wonderful biking experience, I'd never imagined I would rack up 600 miles in under 2 months. I understand the Lynx's reclined position (Yellowbike refers to their Optima bikes as "horizontals" instead of recumbents) is typical of Dutch design. It really is so relaxing - my physical energy is focused on forward propulsion and not being wasted on supporting an aching back, shoulders, arms or neck and in overcoming wind resistance. It makes so much sense, really, the fun factor is icing on the cake.

Yellowbikes are pricey, but there are plenty of expensive upright bikes and MTBs, too, so I gauge bike value on how often I ride and enjoy the experience. On a unit cost basis, I can see my investment becoming quite reasonable over time. A BikeE or EZ-1 can get you on a bent for $500 or so - I considered that route to "test the waters" but feel the Lynx probably is giving me a broader perfomance range I will grow into.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Pete Clark
[B]How much did you pay for the Challenge Distance?

Pete was asking what I paid for the Challenge-Distance.
What with shipping (the biggest chunk), duty and tax it cost me approximately $1900 Canadian, I also added recumbent panniers for another $200 and slicks for $45.00. Same bike in States would cost me approximately $2900 (Canadian) without the bags.

Well I ended up selling my Trek 5200 on ebay. Gotta love that ebay! I had a local bike shop package it up real nice and I sold it to a guy in the middle of the Country who received it without even a scratch. I got $250 more than I was asking for it. After my 3 hour ride to the Yellowbike importer, I ordered a Dragon model. This is the one with the under seat steering. The Lynx is the same bike but with over seat steering. Since I rode a Ryan Vanguard USS, for 6 years I felt the under seat deal was the best for me. Only thing is, I could not stand riding a Yellow bike. I custom ordered a black unit. Alas, won't be here for a few more weeks.
Steve

p.s. When I sold my Ryan, a photographer in NYC bought it. I am a Commercial Photographer. What the heck, are all photographers recumbent riders??? :)

:thumbup: Congrats, Steve, on your Optima Dragon purchase! If you were an avid cyclist before, I can imagine the miles you'll click off on your new horizontal. I myself am almost addicted to my Lynx! It's yellow color wouldn't have been my first choice, but I've nothing against it either. The way I see it, the brighter the bike color, the more noticeable it hopefully is to vehicular traffic - providing an additional margin of safety. Heck, I even adopted bright yellows and reds in my bike apparel, helmet and clipless pedals! (I'm usually dressed in subdued grays and blacks - I'm an architect.) I'd like to see some pics of you on your "Black Dragon" when you get it. Being a pro-photographer, your photos should be way better than my humble efforts.

Steve, it's a interesting question you bring up about the Photographers being recumbent riders. I've looked into recumbent bikes in the past and one of the best features in my opinion is the view you get from sitting back instead of hunched over and craining your neck as on an upright. This seems like something photographers would appreciate as they are so receptive of the world around them. What do you think?

I am actually getting closer to getting my Dragon Yellowbike. They now say it is in the Country and in the factory. I live within a few hours ride there so I will take a day trip with my wife and pick it up. And yes I will take some snazzy photos of it for sure!!! Of course I already asked the folks at Yellowbike not to mention how much the darn thing costs in front of my wife. I don't want to get a big SLAP in front of them..hahahhaaa
Steve


Originally posted by bentrox!
:thumbup: Congrats, Steve, on your Optima Dragon purchase! If you were an avid cyclist before, I can imagine the miles you'll click off on your new horizontal. I myself am almost addicted to my Lynx! It's yellow color wouldn't have been my first choice, but I've nothing against it either. The way I see it, the brighter the bike color, the more noticeable it hopefully is to vehicular traffic - providing an additional margin of safety. Heck, I even adopted bright yellows and reds in my bike apparel, helmet and clipless pedals! (I'm usually dressed in subdued grays and blacks - I'm an architect.) I'd like to see some pics of you on your "Black Dragon" when you get it. Being a pro-photographer, your photos should be way better than my humble efforts.

Oh yes for sure. I consider my self a trained observer. 22 years worth of looking at fine details thru a viewfinder forces one to look, also to strain one's eyes. That happens a lot too. I personally can never go back to uprights. I made a mistake of buying one last year after riding recumbents for 6 years or so. I rode it 10 miles and sold it.
Steve


Originally posted by thbirks
Steve, it's a interesting question you bring up about the Photographers being recumbent riders. I've looked into recumbent bikes in the past and one of the best features in my opinion is the view you get from sitting back instead of hunched over and craining your neck as on an upright. This seems like something photographers would appreciate as they are so receptive of the world around them. What do you think?

Well only 3 miles on the bike due to bad weather and business taking all of my time but I can't wait to give it a good run. Ended up buying the Optima Dragon. Will report more.

Steve

steve and all

very, very interesting thread here... I have been hanging out in the roadie section of this forum for the past week (a newbie). I have recently gotten back into cycling and am riding my old hybrid schwinn. I am definitly in the market for a new bike and the recumbent trek caught my eye in a magazine the other day.

do you know if the treks are any good?

one of the problems i would like to eliminate which seems consistant on all of the legacy models is the numb hands and crotch syndrom which come with distance cycling no matter what I do. can anyone comment on the recumbant in regards to this?

looks like a much better position to me for the long haul.

s_boy

s_boy:

The R200 recumbent was abandoned by Trek and very few are left available I understand. Originally $1600, valleybikes.com cleared out 195 units in 2 weeks at $600. There are several messages and one news article on the R200 at:
http://www.bentrideronline.com/
This e-zine is an excellent resource to familiarize yourself with the many benefits and few drawbacks of riding recumbents. Try the "Message Board" and "Stop the Presses" links there.

BTW, not only will you never suffer from "numb hands and crotch syndrom" on a recumbent, but you won't waste your energy supporting a sore back, shoulders and neck either. All effort is focused on your legs while maintaining a full-time aerodynamic position (not just while straining in a racing tuck.) Does that make sense or what?

Give it a try - you'll see.

Eddie