Recumbent - Recumbent Choice

I’ve decided to get into recumbent bicycling, and I’ve narrowed my choices down to two. The Sun EZ-1 Super Cruiser, and the ActionBent MantaRay.

My wife and I are both retired and we ride mostly on rails to trails where the grades rarely exceed 2%. We aren’t interested in speed, or high-end bikes, only exercise and comfort.

I don’t have a problem assembling the MantaRay if necessary. I’ve worked on bikes a lot over the years.

Both bikes are 24 speed, however the MantaRay has 20 and 26 inch wheels respectively, where as the EZ-1 Super Cruiser has 16 and 20 inch wheels.

If anyone has any suggestions or input, or even another brand similar to the above, I would really appreciate it.

Regards, Joe Folco

All I can suggest is this: It is much easier to find replacement 20 and 26 inch wheels, than it is to find 16 inch wheels.

I don't see the "MantaRay" on Actionbent's website, is this an older model?

Thanks for your reply.

Go to the ActionBent site, and click on "See all bike models at a glance." It's the last model down.

Um, I hate to bad mouth a 'bent company, but I've heard that the customer service from Actionbent really sucks. :o/

My dad just got a Bacchetta Café, it's a new model for 2005 which is a one size fits all. Because they don't have the different models for size they are able to bring the price down, to $1k. That might still be more than the EZ bike, but not by much, and you'll likely have much better quailty/parts with the Bacchetta, which you'll appreciate if you've worked on bikes in the past.

What ever you do, make sure you test drive before you buy anything...

My dad just got a Bacchetta Café, it's a new model for 2005 which is a one size fits all. Because they don't have the different models for size they are able to bring the price down, to $1k. That might still be more than the EZ bike, but not by much, and you'll likely have much better quailty/parts with the Bacchetta, which you'll appreciate if you've worked on bikes in the past.

What ever you do, make sure you test drive before you buy anything...

That's a little tricky with Actionbent. Their greatest weakness, perhaps....

Is this a well known fact? Has anyone else heard about poor customer service from ActionBent? Also, are they good quality?

Joe Folco

Is this a well known fact? Has anyone else heard about poor customer service from ActionBent? Also, are they good quality?

Joe Folco
For the most part the bikes are unpolished (in the sense of refinements;) the guy in China draws up plans for a bent, then makes them out of existing parts. Kind of a Frankenbike(tm); it might work or it might have problems.

The guy in the US just imports them. By all reports he tries to solve little stuff like missing parts in the box or shipment damage. But he's not a bike shop and there's no support network. Actionbent is a good deal if you don't mind tinkering to make them work; otherwise I'd suggest looking elsewhere.

I did a test ride of the Bacchetta Cafe and liked it much better than my Burley Canto. I think it is a great bent for the money. Don't know much about the Actionbent but Bacchetta seems to have a good rep... Burley also makes the Jett Creek which is less money. I have friends who own the Jett Creek that are happy with it.

Is this a well known fact? Has anyone else heard about poor customer service from ActionBent? Also, are they good quality?



There's a yahoo forum with many posts re: pros & cons....

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/actionbent/

There's a yahoo forum with many posts re: pros & cons....

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/actionbent/

I found the forum, it's very informative. Appreciate the tip, and thanks to everyone else who responded

For the most part the bikes are unpolished (in the sense of refinements;) the guy in China draws up plans for a bent, then makes them out of existing parts. Kind of a Frankenbike(tm); it might work or it might have problems.

The guy in the US just imports them. By all reports he tries to solve little stuff like missing parts in the box or shipment damage. But he's not a bike shop and there's no support network. Actionbent is a good deal if you don't mind tinkering to make them work; otherwise I'd suggest looking elsewhere.

Does that mean that one could import an "Actionbent" directly from China (actually, it's Taiwan") and bypass the middleman? I was under the impression that they were only manufactured in Taiwan, and designed here. Hmmm.

Does that mean that one could import an "Actionbent" directly from China (actually, it's Taiwan") and bypass the middleman? I was under the impression that they were only manufactured in Taiwan, and designed here. Hmmm.

The manufacturer is China Mascot (http://www.allproducts.com/tbea/cnmascot/), and they offer a pretty wide assortment of bents. Actionbent only imports a few models. I'm not real close to this, but I think the importer's name is Randy... Randy may make a suggestion but he doesn't design them. Could you import your own and bypass Randy? Sure, if you wanted to meet the minimum order, and deal with Customs yourself, and provide your own warranty support after the sale.

The manufacturer is China Mascot (http://www.allproducts.com/tbea/cnmascot/), and they offer a pretty wide assortment of bents. Actionbent only imports a few models. I'm not real close to this, but I think the importer's name is Randy... Randy may make a suggestion but he doesn't design them. Could you import your own and bypass Randy? Sure, if you wanted to meet the minimum order, and deal with Customs yourself, and provide your own warranty support after the sale.

Well, the minimum order thing might be a problem (If it's a problem), but at least I wouldn't have to pay duty twice...

EDIT: I sent an email to the OEM of these things, so hopefully they'll reply with some info on minimum orders, prices, etc. I wonder if my wife would let me become a Canadian distributor? Hmmm... ;)

I have a Sun EZ-Sport and love it. It is slower than regular bikes because of the 26" rear tire. Not enough to bother me because I ride for the workout, not for speed. My concern would be that the 20" rear tire on the EZ-1 SC would really be too slow. Ride one before you buy. bk

I have a Sun EZ-Sport and love it. It is slower than regular bikes because of the 26" rear tire. Not enough to bother me because I ride for the workout, not for speed. My concern would be that the 20" rear tire on the EZ-1 SC would really be too slow. Ride one before you buy. bk

Yeah, the EZ-1 is a much slower bent than the EZ Sport. But if he doesn't care about speed the EZ-1 would be fine for his use.