Recumbent - Advice on upgrading a stock Rans Tailwind to "Deluxe"?

Say a LBS hasn't built up a recumbent yet - in this case a Tailwind - what parts could be upgraded right away to make a difference in the long haul? For instance, I hear of several people blowing bottom brackets after 50 miles.

Say a LBS hasn't built up a recumbent yet - in this case a Tailwind - what parts could be upgraded right away to make a difference in the long haul? For instance, I hear of several people blowing bottom brackets after 50 miles.
After 50 miles? We've never encountered that problem (2 Tailwinds).

Apart from drivetrain components, shifters, and cables, I've upgraded the handlebar setup with a B-37 handlebar and B-32 riser. However, when I get around to it, I'm going to change the riser to the B-33; the B-32 is just too small and low for me. I'd say the handlebar arrangement is a big deal, because it can alter cable length drastically depending on your setup. You might also want to check to make sure your handlebar arrangement doesn't affect your line of sight should you wish to install a fairing in the future.

Also, many recumbent riders tend to favor shorter cranks. If you like less than 170mm, now's the time to put them on.

I really like the Zephyr seat; another upgrade option.

Lastly, your wheelset, tire, and tube choices. I've tried installing Hookworks (20"x1.95") on the stock DA-16 rims but have had endless tube failures which I'm at a loss to explain. I've switched to Kenda Kwests 20"x1.5" (same tubes but patched) and have not had a problem since.

Bear in mind though, this bike is not my main ride. Have fun building yours.

I would advise riding it stock for a while. Then, through the riding of it and adjusting to it, you'll come to know, what, or if, you want to upgrade anything.

This is part of the fun, of course!

01 Tailwind (and love it!)

Say a LBS hasn't built up a recumbent yet - in this case a Tailwind - what parts could be upgraded right away to make a difference in the long haul? For instance, I hear of several people blowing bottom brackets after 50 miles.

A local rider turned his Tailwind into a 26" wheel. It took some welding and major modification. But he is faster and happier over a long ride.

Of course that is not the answer for everyone. 20" wheels are great. . .even as drive wheels.

Upgrade wheels to better quality wheels is probably the best upgrade you can make. Go with a Velocity wheel.

Never heard of people blowing a BB after 50 miles.

Some bikes come with surprisingly poor bottom brackets. It seems as if they're thinking that the rider will never notice, at least until the first time he pulls the cranks.

You're talking about a new ('06) TW? I put a Nashbar/TH ISIS BB in my '00 last year. Plus a Truvativ Elita Crank. I had put about 2K mi on in it a year and ??mi by the previous owner. The SH square tapered BB was not turning smoothly. I like the thinner seat cushion/cover better than the original thicker, heavier cushion.

Have them check the headset fit... and the bottom bracket. I just had both replaced, the headset fit was pitiful. New headset installed with it reamed and faced correctly made steering a bit less stressful at low speeds. The bottom bracket and factory chain are umm... not of the highest quality... I'll leave it at that. The KMC chain that Rans uses is junk, recommend moving up to the X.9 series if you stick with KMC... or go with whatever your builder trusts. There are a lot of good chains out there, and a bunch of complete junk that will wear out rapidly and ruin the rest of your drivetrain.

I switched mine to 9 speed Sram x.9 derailleur in back and X.9 shifters when replacing worn components, I've got a Shimano 11-32 9 speed cassette and a 11-32 Sram (PG950) cassette that will go on when the roads dry out. If you have hills in your area in the 8+% grade range, I recommend getting a cassette with a 32 or 34 low gear. By going 9 speed in place of the original 8, that became an additional gear with the rest the same as stock 11-28 8 speed. Now that I have ridden the 32 for a while, I'm curious if the 34 would be useful... I was initially worried about keeping my balance going that slow (I'm also running larger than stock tires with 50-406 Big Apples... which I do NOT recommend on stock width rims, I blew one out last friday from wear and possibly from running such a wide tire). So with the larger tire my effective gear ratios are also taller than stock since my tires are a good inch taller than the original Primo Comets.

I highly recommend the Aerotrunk for storage and a tailbox effect. Available from Angletech cyclery or Anglelake Cyclery, depending on where your closest. If you want something HIGHLY visible, go with the high vis green... ain't as cool as some of the other color options but it's REALLY REALLY visible from blocks away.

I'd skip the Rans fenders is I was to do it again and get a custom set of really really cool wood ones made to your taste here from http://www.woodysfenders.com/

Gorgeous and add some class... The Tailwind isn't a formula one racer, and it ain't light, so might as well make it cool.

If your going to put a computer on it... might as well go wired, the wireless ones I tried couldn't deal with the distances between sensors and the computer. Make sure the wires are long enough, especially if you want cadence (don't mount that over the frame off the derailleur mount like I did... your feet will hit it way to often).

Pedals... Shimano campus style SPD pedals are nice, I went with them so I could clip into a stable wide platform, or ride not clipped in if I felt uncomfortable about clipping in for some reason or just wanted to jump on and ride up the street without my bike shoes. All my other bikes are now equipped with SPD pedals... I switched over to them this year instead of the LOOK pedals I ran for decades so I can walk around like a human instead of a waddling like a penguin when off the bike.

If you are going to run a big tire, see about getting a BMX 1.75" wide rim built up with a good hub.. I just build a new rear wheel running a Velocity Psycho rim. Combined with the thrashing it'll be living with running on the street daily in ALL weather and the Big Apple tires, it's worth the bit of extra weight. If your wanting to run fast and aren't wanting a fat tire, Schwalbe Marathon Plus seems to be the tire of choice for speed, longevity and flat protection, the Primo Comets kinda suck. The Big Apples ride well, give some cushioning to the ride, are tougher to fit fenders to.. especially in the front.

I've got a 06/07 RANS Rocket which I am slowly upgrading. Here are my recommendations:

Upgrade to shorter cranks than the stock 170mm ones.
Change the tyres if you plan to ride in the rain. I've nearly worn out my Primo Comets (after 3,000km) but they were never confidence inspiring in the wet.
Maybe lower the gearing. I found the stock 62/52/39 and 11-32 gearing to tall for me, especially when going uphill with a load on. I currently have changed the rear cassette to a shimano 11-34 8-speed as a temporary measure. I am about build up a Velocity Aeroheat rim onto a Sram DualDrive to lower my gearing.

I have also replaced the front brakes with a Sturmey-Archer XFDD combined Dynohub and Drum brake and fitted a B&M Lumotec Plus headlight, B&M Lumotec secondary headlight and B&M tailight.

I would recommend getting a set of mudguards if you plan to ride in the rain. The stock seat base is very good at soaking up water.

For any other upgrades wait until you have ridden the bike for a while to see what you want to change.

Wheels are the first thing to upgrade for speed...

My '00 TW originally had 39/50/63 with 11-28. Now running with 39/50/56 with 11-32. Steep hills are much better now and the high is adequate plus front shifting is improved. Planet Bike fenders work well.
Considering going to a VDO wireless computer with digital signal. They claim 5 ft max distance.
The RANS rear rack is fine for panniers but might not work for racktop trunks, depending on how your seat is adjusted (sprint brace interference). I've got good service out of a Nashbar/KMC 8spd Narrow/Z chain.

this is an old thread. the OP hasn't posted on BF for a year. still some general relevance,though.

this is an old thread. the OP hasn't posted on BF for a year. still some general relevance,though.

Ah... Phelps dredged it up... well, as you say, some general relevance.