I'm a significantly larger than average cyclist weighing in at around 440 lbs, cycling is one of the ways that I am working on lowering that number. Here's the deal though, I am back in college for graduate school in pretty much the middle of nowhere. I've been riding a Sun EZ-Sport for just over a year now, however have only been riding this one since last year, as my previous one was stolen. Reccently I have moved from the significantly high crime area where I used to live to an area that has very little crime. The local bike shop (singular, the only one for several towns) carries no recumbents, but can probably get parts. The shop I bought my bike from is a little over 2 hours away, but I am in graduate school and work as well, so it is not really feasible for me to take off a lot of time and just go get it fixed. I'm confident/competent enough to be able to make this repair. Does anybody have any sources other than calling up the bike shop I purchased the EZ-Sport from as to where I could get a replacement ez-sport seat? (preferably online). Does anybody know where I can get a stronger seat. This bike has the new as of 2004 (I believe this is a 2005 model though) composite/plywood mixed seats, it is not one of the older models with an all plywood seat.
It's kind of important because this is my only bike, and I have been trying to use it to do most of my daily errands and all my commuting to campus and back, I put roughly 95 miles on the bike last month, and only 149 or so on my car (my car is fairly new (2003) and so I have it to use, but prefer not to use it)
Any suggestions on finding a replacement seat or more importantly finding a stronger seat or strengthening this seat? I know I kind of tip the scales but I would prefer not to have to consistently replace seats as, in college, that could get expensive.
edit: to clarify by 'seat' I mean the seat bottom, the saddle-style portion, not the mesh seat portion. The seat stays and back are fine.
Dchiefransom
02-02-07, 11:06 PM
Hey, so here's my story.
I'm a significantly larger than average cyclist weighing in at around 440 lbs, cycling is one of the ways that I am working on lowering that number. Here's the deal though, I am back in college for graduate school in pretty much the middle of nowhere. I've been riding a Sun EZ-Sport for just over a year now, however have only been riding this one since last year, as my previous one was stolen. Reccently I have moved from the significantly high crime area where I used to live to an area that has very little crime. The local bike shop (singular, the only one for several towns) carries no recumbents, but can probably get parts. The shop I bought my bike from is a little over 2 hours away, but I am in graduate school and work as well, so it is not really feasible for me to take off a lot of time and just go get it fixed. I'm confident/competent enough to be able to make this repair. Does anybody have any sources other than calling up the bike shop I purchased the EZ-Sport from as to where I could get a replacement ez-sport seat? (preferably online). Does anybody know where I can get a stronger seat. This bike has the new as of 2004 (I believe this is a 2005 model though) composite/plywood mixed seats, it is not one of the older models with an all plywood seat.
It's kind of important because this is my only bike, and I have been trying to use it to do most of my daily errands and all my commuting to campus and back, I put roughly 95 miles on the bike last month, and only 149 or so on my car (my car is fairly new (2003) and so I have it to use, but prefer not to use it)
Any suggestions on finding a replacement seat or more importantly finding a stronger seat or strengthening this seat? I know I kind of tip the scales but I would prefer not to have to consistently replace seats as, in college, that could get expensive.
edit: to clarify by 'seat' I mean the seat bottom, the saddle-style portion, not the mesh seat portion. The seat stays and back are fine.
Try contacting Calhoun Cycle and see what they say. http://www.calhouncycle.com/
I don't know if you could get them to do it, but maybe replacing the wood bottom with steel might make it hold up better.
Traicovn
02-02-07, 11:10 PM
alright, I will try them.
I'm going to call the place I bought the bike from tomorrow, they have been pretty good at helping me out with previous problems, but I am going to be looking for a stronger seat or possible other solution until a stronger seat isn't necessary :)
It happened like an hour ago though. Yes, I ride rather late at night.
BlazingPedals
02-03-07, 09:58 AM
It's a Sun! I though the advantge was that any bike shop that used the standard parts catalogs could get one! Presumably parts, too? anyway, yes you should be able to get one through mail-order, either from someplace like Calhoun, Hostelshoppe (http://www.hostelshoppe.com), or possibly direct from EasyRacers (http://www.easyracers.com).
Traicovn
02-03-07, 08:51 PM
I imagine they can, the real question is more, what can be done to strengthen it. The guy at the bike shop where I bought it is going to try to fabricate something, does anybody have any ideas? I don't know what would be involved in getting the LBS here to order the seat, I didn't ask them because they have a fairly limited space, and wouldn't have parts for stuff like that on hand. The bike shop where I live now, for example, still was carrying kryptonite 'bic-able' u-locks. The guy is nice and the shop is really convenient to where I live, it is just a bit on the expensive side and has a fairly limited inventory. This is an area that is still considered rural.
I talked to the bike shop I purchased the bike from and they have a seat on hand and are going to try to fabricate something to strengthen the seat, and i'll leave the bike with them for a few days. I was wondering if anybody had had a similar experience however, and perhaps even knew of another seat that could be used on an ez-sport that is stronger, and what it would run.
PuttPutt
02-04-07, 05:44 AM
I think the Sun replacement is a crappy idea. You've already proven they won't support the weight, so why spend the money knowing it'll likely fail again?
If memory serves, the EZ-Sport, Speedster and EZ-1 models all use the same seat. Since the earlier plywood seats were assembled on flat plywood bases, I would simply unscrew the frame rail hardware and glue another flat base to the original. If the newer composite seats are also flat, then use a quality, 2-part epoxy to sandwich the two together. If you use 1/2" plywood, you'll raise the seat 1/2". Ideally, disassemble the original, then duplicate the base with a thicker, plywood replacement - a task your local upholstery shop can easily accomidate.
BlazingPedals
02-04-07, 10:13 AM
You could always use a thicker plywood for the new base, and strengthen it with 2 or 3 layers of carbon fiber. If you used enough carbon fiber, you could make it stronger than the frame.
Dchiefransom
02-04-07, 04:04 PM
If the seat hardware just screws onto the plywood that's the seat bottom, get someone to fabricate a steel plate the shape of the bottom of the plywood, and attach the hardware to the plate that's screwed onto the bottom of the plywood.
bkaapcke
02-05-07, 06:13 PM
I'd trace the shape on an aluminum plate and have it cut out. Drill the necessary holes for mounting , tap them with fine threads and use the correct bolts. Or, you may want to use a threaded steel insert. Have the foam glued to the aluminum. It shouldn't be too expensive. bk
atombikes
02-06-07, 06:03 AM
I would remove the seat back from the base, and remove all cover/foam/etc.
Trace the profile of the seat on 1/2" or 3/4" sanded plywood (I think it's BC grade????) and cut out with a jigsaw. Round over the edges with a surform and sandpaper. Seal with either black paint or poly. Transfer all the mounting hardware from the broken seat base to the new one. If in doubt use thicker plywood.
Traicovn
02-16-07, 10:19 PM
Thanks for all the suggestions.
Well, they replaced the seat and the idler wheel for about 90.00. (I think the seat was 65.00 and the idler wheel 25.00) If the seat goes again I will definitely be looking into something sturdier. Perhaps I can find someone to cut something out of aluminum or steal. The 'new' seats, new being since 2004 or 2005 or so from what I understand, have a very thin plastic composite base by the way with plywood on top, followed by the gel/cushioning material, and then the seat cover. I guess the intention was to strengthen them marginally and maybe give it a more 'finished' look by adding the plastic? And yes from what I understand Sun uses the same seat on all or almost all of their 'bents. It then attatches to the metal seat assembly that slides back and forth along the frame.
Back on the subject of the idler wheel though. How important does everybody really think it is? I've had problems 2 or 3 times with them and was wondering if anybody has had any experience just completely running without it. I know I can do it short term, but I mean longer term.
BlazingPedals
02-17-07, 11:21 AM
From what I can see of the pics on the EasyRacers site, the idler is just a simple pulley on the return side of the chain. It could probably be dispensed with, at the cost of a minor bit of chain flop. But then again, the potential for chain flop is why EasyRacers recommends against removing it. Another solution is a Terracycle idler (http://tinyurl.com/2y2wy2). If you get one of them, it'll probably be the last one you ever have to buy.