Recumbent - I'm thinking about getting the EZ-1.

I've experimented with a crude, home-built recumbent, so balance shouldn't be much of an issue.
I'm on a bit of low-income budget and I was shopping around for some decently priced, yet reliable recumbents.
I came across that Sun Bicycles website and looked up their lists of recumbents they had to offer.
That SC-1 I came across was going for about $625 with all the normal componentry.
Has anyone ridden this particular model?
If so, how does it fair as far as being a decent bike to take on say, 50-150 mile jaunts?
I say regardless of weight, the bike will ride as comfortable as long as the rider is physically fit to work it.
But, then I've heard differently.

If so, how does it fair as far as being a decent bike to take on say, 50-150 mile jaunts? I say regardless of weight, the bike will ride as comfortable as long as the rider is physically fit to work it.

But, then I've heard differently.

I bought this bike as my first bent. I have taken
several trips on the order of 75 to 100 miles in
a day on it and had positive experiences, BUT
I wasn't doing a group ride, nor was I trying to
keep up with or stay ahead of anyone.

I now consider it my 'beater' bike since I have
Maxiss Hookworm tires on it that are bullet proof
and the bike is about 5 years old and I am not
afraid to ride it in the rain if necessary to get
to the market for a bag of groceries or such.
I have it outfitted with adequate lights and a
nice large basket which fits nicely on the back
behind the seat, that will hold a full bag of groceries.

One limitation of this bike for commuting though
is that it is a CLWB bike and WILL NOT FIT on the
front of the standard sized Bike Racks on Buses in
the Southern California area. (and I assume everywhere
else.)

You will soon find however, that you'd rather
have a bike that is either a SWB or a bent
with a 26" rear tire for longer rides, I am sure.

I also have always thought I was on a limited
budget, so my 2nd bent was a Lightning Thunderbolt,
which I am grateful to have. I recently went
temporarily nuts and put a downpayment on
a Rhoades Car which will be delivered the
first week in August,... (but that is a different story...)

But if you are gonna be doing 50 - 150 mile rides
with CLUBS, forget the EZ-1 IMHO.

It is not the bike to challenge the Wedgies (or
anyone on.) But that being said, I still blow
away a lot of people on that bike... mostly kids
on BMX's or adults on Cross or Leisure Bikes.
I can smoke a few wedgies on my Thunderbolt
but I can't remember having ever passed any
serious wedgie riders in their lyrca pants, shirts and
clipless pedals on the EZ-1.

But if you want a nice mellow ride up to 25
miles and you aren't worried about keeping
up with anyone riding another bike, it is a cool ride.

But if I had had another $500 I would have bought
an EZ Sport. If you got one of those with a 'lite' frame,
you could probably keep up with more riders in a club situation.

Disclaimer: I am a NON ATHELETE, but trim and fit at age 55
and ride about 135 miles per week on average. Mostly for car
free trips to the bank, supermaket, post office and community meetings.
I don't do group rides as I prefer to ride as a lone wolf.

Hope this information helps you make
a decision. If you were looking to do
group rides, you might be more satisfied
with the EZ Speedster, the Sun SWB answer
to entry level bikes like the Lightning Thunderbolt, at: http://www.sunbicycles.com/sun/recumbents/ezSpeedster/ezSpeedster.htm

I have heard decent things about this bike
and I would recommend the EZ line for being
decently built bikes, even component wise.
At least they have met my needs and I haven't
had any problems with my EZ-1 other than a
couple of flat tires. That, and I blew out a couple
of sets of GRIP SHIFTERS but that was due to
me doing some outrageous mountain rides in
the local mountains. 6000 ft elevation gains
and such. (Which a good bike should accomodate
with no problems, but then you don't get everything
you want in a recumbent for $650.)

Nedgoudy put a lot of thought and good analysis into his post. (That means I agree!) I would add one more thing. Standard advice is to test ride - if at all possible, do it! Whe I was researching for my first bent, I *knew* I wanted a Vision VR40. Only trouble is, when I found one for a test ride, I discovered I *hated* VR40s. That 120 mile trip was definitely a great investment! The moral of the story is, all the Internet research you do won't tell you if you like the seat or the handling of a bike; for that you have to ride it.

I'm enough of a big-wheel chauvinist to say that I'd feel better recommending the T-Bolt, but I realize that the Sun bikes will be easier to find for a test ride; after all, any bike shop in the country can get one for you.

Thanks for the intel.
I could pretty much smoke anyone around this area as it is on my '99 Trek 800 Sport.
Fact of the matter is that not that many people ride around here for general transport duties.
I was assuming the bike would cruise real easily at a 15-20mph speed.
I think that would be good enough for what I do.
My average weekly commute distance is only 70-80 miles a week.
This is mainly because work, school and gym are the only places to go.
Nothing, but tract homes and super-stores going up.

Things you should be aware of;

1. The EZ-1 has a relatively short wheelbase and therefor ill-suited for 5' 10" and above riders (irreguardless of what the manfacture says). It puts the CoG (center of gravity) too far aft, making the bike a little squirrelly. Short legged riders are fine.

2. The OEM model comes equipt with usable, but Walmart quality componentes and low pressure tires so don't expect flawless peformance.

3. If you don't mind used, the EZ-1 can usually be had for lot less than $500. This is an important consideration since many who purchase this bike, usually upgrade to a higher quality machine after a short time.

Get an Actionbent, its a far higher quality bike+it'll fit on busses, and is still in your price range.

Nedgoudy is on the money. I have an EZ1 Lite, an two other Rans higher end models (Force 5 XP and V2). The EZ1 is great to learn on, and fun to ride, but for anything more than about 10 miles you will probably want something else soon. Unless of course, you just want a relaxing ride, not a a fast one. For that, it is fine.

I was glad to read your recommendation of an Actionbent. I just got their Manta Ray model lwb in yesterday, and have not yet ridden it. The company seems to have good bikes at the best prices around, as far as I could tell. Still, any outside confirmation helps grow the warm and fuzzy feeling I'm looking for. The Manta Ray looks cool for a lwb, at least to me, and it's my first bent after 5 years on a Trek 1000. I am planning on it being a fun bike to ride.