ActionBent or EZ-1?

[blknwhtfoto]

Hey there everyone,
I have a question. I have the money to buy a EZ-1 Clone frame now, and a large pile of parts that I think will all fit. I will however have to either buy or make a seat(I can't weld very well) and I will also have to paint it. What I am wondering is this, will it be better to save up another 400 or so dollars(past the clone frame and seat+paint+time required) or buy an action bent Jet Stream II? I could have my EZ-1 clone+monkey'ed together parts within the next month or so OR I could save up for a month or two and buy a brand new snazzy ActionBent. Whatdyou think? I have to ride about 10miles total a day, through various hills and flats. I am about 270 lbs and 6'4.

Thanks for your help,
Mike

[jeff-o]

How much do you have set aside right now? I don't know how much an EZ-1 clone frame costs these days. Also, is it winter where you are right now? If you can't ride it yet anyway, you may as well save up a little longer.

[karterjimm]

blknwhtfoto,
Right now it looks like you are on the ragged edge of being too heavy for an Actionbent. If you build, you can go with the idea that it will hold up to you......or save some extra cash in the next month or two while losing a little weight and then go buy the sparkling new one!

.............karterjimm

[blknwhtfoto]

I have about 150 saved now, the frame would cost about 130+however much time/energy it'd take to make or buy a seat+money for handlebars+money for paint+lots of time to put it together and make sure it works.
I am right on the "jagged edge(I like that)" of the weight limit. But i've already lost 25 lbs in the last month and a half, and am continuing to lose more weight. If I "weight" to buy the actionbent I should be just under the limit, and have a nice bike.
I think this is a better plan than building hte EZ-1 clone.
Mike

[Floyd]

Mike: I have to agree that the weight is worth waiting on because building is not fun unless you really like it. I have done some building for the fun of it and sometimes it works real good, sometimes just good and sometimes it would be better to sacrifice and get something that you KNOW will work. Peace Floyd

[karterjimm]

Hey Mike,
Just to keep your juices flowing and the weight coming off......http://cgi.ebay.com/ActionBent-Jet-Stream-II-Understeering-Recumbent-bike_W0QQitemZ7218033014QQcategoryZ106949QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Seems as if all the prices are coming down.

...................jim
Suspended Road Runner

[LittleBigMan]

I've had an Actionbent Jetstream II USS for a couple of weeks, now. It's my first bent. I'm still developing my "bent muscles." Getting better all the time.

I ride it to work, 30 miles round-trip. I really like the bike and the price can't be beat. How this one holds up over the years will determine what company I buy from for my next bent purchase.

[blknwhtfoto]

Did you get the FPR seat? Its the more expensive add on. I think its just a seat with a headrest.Is there anything. Did you get all the DA parts like they advertise? It just seems to be a really good price, if its a nice frame and it has DA stuff on it. I hope not too good to be true.

[jeff-o]

The bikes ActionBent sells are legit. I know, I deal with the same manufacturer they use. It's a really good price because the bikes are made in Taiwan rather than the USA or Europe.

The FRP seat provides a little less cushioning, but it's lighter and allows you to swap out the foam layer if you wish. Some people have removed the foam that comes with the FRP seat, and either replaced it with something thicker, or added foam in certain places to improve lumbar support.

[AlphaGeek]

I've had the Actionbent Tidalwave II USS for about a year now. I really like it. I commute 14mi daily roundtrip and the bike is holding up well. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the bike to anyone who is comfortable building up their own bike, or has a friend or bikeshop willing to help them out building it up.

It comes in a box like the typical bikeshop gets a bike, and has to be put together. It took me an evening to put it together, and another evening to tune it up.

[jeff-o]

I've had the Actionbent Tidalwave II USS for about a year now. I really like it. I commute 14mi daily roundtrip and the bike is holding up well. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the bike to anyone who is comfortable building up their own bike, or has a friend or bikeshop willing to help them out building it up.

It comes in a box like the typical bikeshop gets a bike, and has to be put together. It took me an evening to put it together, and another evening to tune it up.

Ask Randy at ActionBent about this. I know the bikes I sell come with the derailleurs and brakes already attached, so you don't have to do much tuning. Maybe it depends on the model...

[LittleBigMan]

Did you get the FPR seat? Its the more expensive add on. I think its just a seat with a headrest.Is there anything. Did you get all the DA parts like they advertise? It just seems to be a really good price, if its a nice frame and it has DA stuff on it. I hope not too good to be true.
I got the standard seat, very comfortable, no headrest (I don't feel a need for one, yet.) I got the following accessories:

1) Kickstand. Haven't attached it, and might not. That's the way it goes with kickstands and me.
2) Seat bag. Cute, but my backpack attaches nicely in the same spot on the seat, so I'm not using it yet.
3) Rear rack. Seems pretty sturdy. Was on backorder, that's why I attached my backpack to the back of the seat, which works so darn nicely I haven't decided on whether to put the rack on just yet. But I might need the rack in the future (like other parts I buy, don't use, but keep around) if I go for a long trip.
4) Accessories mounting bracket. This is for lights, cyclocomputer, etc. Also was on backorder, now that I have it, I'm waiting for DIY lights I ordered, then I'll probably rewire my entire homebuilt light system.

With free shipping if ordered with the bike, I figured I'd go ahead and get the stuff I might eventually want.

[LittleBigMan]

...the bikes I sell come with the derailleurs and brakes already attached, so you don't have to do much tuning. Maybe it depends on the model...
For Jestream II USS:

Front derailleur and front/rear brakes attached to frame. Rear derailleur must be attached. This was the main trouble-spot for me, I couldn't get the threads to start. Rather than risk stripping them, I had my LBS re-tap the hole and mount my rear derailleur. Cost--$10. If know how to change/adjust brakes, derailleurs cables, cable housings, and chain you should be able to assemble this bike. The seat is a snap.

Seat angle adjustment is not as pictured on the website, it has been upgraded from quick-release to a telescopic type seatpost, with a double-bolt. Very sturdy.

Any LBS should be able to assemble this bike.

[jeff-o]

I agree that any LBS should be able to assemble one of these bikes. In fact, the first one I ever built was done without any instructions at all, just my above-average mechanical intuition. With decent instructions, anyone who has turned a screw could do it.

[LandLuger]

IMHO, distilled down it comes to this, Actionbent=greater speed, lower cost--EZ racers=more refined (no guessing what equipment will come on the bike for example), available to test ride at local dealers. I qualify this with the fact that I own both an EZ-3 and an Actionbent Jetstream.

[blknwhtfoto]

Thanks very much LL, Its good to hear. I am going out this weekend and testride somebikes. I am excited. I have about 600 bucks in my jar(handily labeled, Recumbent Jar). So I'm getting close ordering. I have a rack if I need it, and a kickstand that should fit. I think the only accesory I'm gonna buy is the light/acc post.

[funbun]

Thanks very much LL, Its good to hear. I am going out this weekend and testride somebikes. I am excited. I have about 600 bucks in my jar(handily labeled, Recumbent Jar). So I'm getting close ordering. I have a rack if I need it, and a kickstand that should fit. I think the only accesory I'm gonna buy is the light/acc post.

That's a great way to save money and buy stuff. I use envelopes, but it achieves the same purpose.

WARNING: soap box rant
I wonder why some many ppl use credit cards nowadays. 18%+ interest on after tax money sounds folly. Instead open a money market or saving account and save the money and let the interest work for you. In other words, flip it around.

To keep it simple, just use the envelope/jug method.

[jeff-o]

A credit card is a great tool, as long as you pay off the entire amount each month. If I know I'm going to be making a very big purchase, I sometimes even prepay my credit card, even though my limit is high enough.

[funbun]

A credit card is a great tool, as long as you pay off the entire amount each month. If I know I'm going to be making a very big purchase, I sometimes even prepay my credit card, even though my limit is high enough.

But the fact is that 78% of Americans don't pay off their credit card balances monthly. Also, if you purchase something via credit card you are likely to spend 12% to 18% more per purchase. So in the long term the credit card companies win. And they know that.

Also, I know I don't have the discipline to pay off the card every month. So I just pay cash for most everything. Debit for purchases over the net. And I do save money because it's harder to peel cash than swipe a card. I am spending $100 less every month by using cash money for food instead of debit. I take that $100 and save to spend it on bicycle stuff.

Different strokes I guess.