View Full Version : Hello from a new bent rider
I have been on a EZ Sport AX for about 400 miles now and still learning.I am thinking about a wind fairing as the last two rides a was facing a 15 to 25 MPH with higher gust head wind for over 20 miles on each ride.Any one have any in put on this bike or putting fairing on it would be appreciated.So far my longest ride is 51 miles.I am up to 25 to 50 mile rides every other day most of the time.I did 41 today with about 18 of it on a dirt road and a 20 + head wind dead on the nose for around 16 miles of it with the rest of the trip with varying wind.
Thank`s Wink
Dr.Deltron
11-07-07, 10:49 PM
I don't know where to begin...
But in a nutshell, the fairing won't do as much for you as you might hope. And on a bumpy dirt road, they're NOISY!
My 2 cents is to save the money you'd spend on a fairing and buy yourself a lower, faster bike somewhere down the road.
I have a Tour Easy that I bought used and took the fairing off after 3 days. More trouble than it was worth, IMHO.
Alright, I recant a bit...I did find it helpful when I went for a ride on a very cold day. The fairing did keep the windchill at bay for that days ride.
I rode my Stratus XP for a thousand miles before I put a fairing on it. I love it. First, it keeps all the sand flies of me when I ride near the lagoons. Second, it makes the cold more tolerable ( I know, "cold" in San Diego is a very relative thing ). Third, it does add a little bit of speed and cuts the wind resistance when you're going above 12 mph or so.
Mine isn't noisy at all, but then I ride exclusively on pavement.
Glad you are enjoying your 'bent' ... welcome to comfort......peace
Artkansas
11-08-07, 10:32 AM
Sounds like you are really enjoying it. I've got about the same mileage. 25-50 miles every other day, I'm very impressed. Most of my riding is a 3 mile commute each way, with some 50 mile weekend rides and one 100 mile organized ride.
Welcome.
I can't comment on SWB bents, but I put a fairing on my LWB bent. I love it. There is no way to measure it, but after 4 or 5 thousand miles with it on and off I think I definitely get a few miles per hour speed from it at 15 - 20 mph. I don't really care so much for speed, but think of it after riding say 15 mph for 6 hours and pick up 2 mph, that would put you 12 miles ahead of where you would have been. So it definitely leaves you fresher than the guy of equal fitness/bike come end of the day.
When I know I will be riding slowly, etc. I don't bother with it, or when I am just riding for fitness I don't use it. After all, if I am riding for fitness, why make it easier??
But on a long ride, a century, etc. I put it on. I feel you definitely get back more than the small weight gain from it.
A bit noisy??? Maybe, but if installed properly not very.
Also, on cold mornings, it sure keeps your lower body much warmer than you would be otherwise.
Some people erroniously think that you get more speed with a tailwind. FALSE! Unless the wind is faster than you are riding, a pretty infrequent occurrence. It is much more advantage in a HEADWIND, as it werves to stream;ine airflow around you and the bike, the effect of which decreases when the relative headwind decreases!
Would I put another one on? You bet!
Thank you for the reply`s.
Here is the way I am going right now.I live where it is hot most of the year so I was thinking about fairing on weeks like we just had with the wind blowing every day.Most of the time I like the wind to keep me cool.But twenty MPH plus is a little much when you are riding into it for a few hours.So if I find one at a real good price I will get it.
As for getting a low racer it would be fun to ride but not for me every day.Where I live I have to ride in a good bit of traffic to get to the country and bike friendly roads and bike paths.I also ride on dirt roads and the beach.My EZ Sport has lights ,fenders,rear rack and bag. and 1.95 tires and radio so that kind of defeats the reason to have a low racer.
Wink
Recumbomatic
11-09-07, 08:07 AM
I think Dr. D. was referring to something like a SWB 26/20 with a more reclined position. Not a lowracer. Sounds like a Bacchetta Giro 20 or 26 or similar bike would meet your needs.
I think Dr. D. was referring to something like a SWB 26/20 with a more reclined position. Not a lowracer. Sounds like a Bacchetta Giro 20 or 26 or similar bike would meet your needs.
One thing I tried today is reclining the back of my seat back further.It seem to help some.I do like the long wheel base.I have also kicked the idea around of putting the 26 inch wheel fork on the front.I would not be lower but in a more reclined position.
Thanks Wink
cranky old dude
11-10-07, 02:33 PM
Bought my EZ Sport in September. My first recumbent.
I've got a little over 400 miles on it, including my first ever
century. Needless to say, I love the bike. I'm still experimenting
a little with the seat myself. Let us know if you invest in a
fairing how it works out for you.
I think I'm done with mine for the season now, winter's here and
I'm back on my Trek 820 getting ready for the ice and snow.
QUOTE
I think I'm done with mine for the season now, winter's here and
I'm back on my Trek 820 getting ready for the ice and snow.[/quote]
Why? Do you have snow tires on the trek?:D I only have to worry about sand here and did put 1.95 tires with a road tread on my EZ Sport. It did make a lot of difference on the dirt roads here that are mostly sand and shell.Also rides better on tar and gravel roads.
Wink
cranky old dude
11-11-07, 12:26 PM
QUOTE
I think I'm done with mine for the season now, winter's here and
I'm back on my Trek 820 getting ready for the ice and snow.
Why? Do you have snow tires on the trek?:D I only have to worry about sand here and did put 1.95 tires with a road tread on my EZ Sport. It did make a lot of difference on the dirt roads here that are mostly sand and shell.Also rides better on tar and gravel roads.
Wink[/QUOTE]
Yes. I've got a set of wheels for the Trek with studded snow tires mounted.
I would not want to expose my 'bent to the slush and salt of a Rochester
winter. I've been told that the foam seat wicks up water and holds it like
a sponge...which translates into sitting on a thick block of ice for me if
it gets soaked in the winter.
Happy Trails
Yes. I've got a set of wheels for the Trek with studded snow tires mounted.
I would not want to expose my 'bent to the slush and salt of a Rochester
winter. I've been told that the foam seat wicks up water and holds it like
a sponge...which translates into sitting on a thick block of ice for me if
it gets soaked in the winter.
Happy Trails[/QUOTE]
That is true about the seat soaking up water.As I got caught in the rain and rode on a wet seat for a few days.Now I just put a Wall-Mart bag over it when needed.I try to keep it dry but on three and four hour rides sometimes there is no where to get out of a shower.Down here they say if you don`t like the weather wait a few minutes and it will change.Also small zip lock bags over the computer and radio.By rear bag is water proof or at lest well enough that my stuff has stayed dry so far.But getting a wet seat and it eighty is not as bad as it being just around freezing.
Wink
I got back on my DF for a ride today and I am now faster on my bent.:o I have been trading off but had not timed my rides on my DF until today.
Wink
Hi Wink,
Hello from a fellow EZ'er. I'm on a EZ-Speedster-AX and loving it.
Thank you.
I have crossed 669 miles as of to night on the EZ so I am still learning.
Wink
BlazingPedals
11-20-07, 09:04 PM
On my RANS seat, if it's raining I use a large size shower cap. Under or over the lycra cover, it doesn't matter. Then when I get home I take the foam off, wring it out if needed, and stand it in a corner on a few sheets of newspaper. Any water in it will drain out overnight. If I lay it flat or worse - keep in on the seat - the water stays in it for days. Does the foam come off the EZ separately?
On my RANS seat Does the foam come off the EZ separately?
No you can not take it off the EZ seat.
Wink
Dchiefransom
12-08-07, 08:49 PM
Can anybody give me an idea why Easy Racer doesn't recognize the EZ-Speedster as being one of their bents? They have their logos right on the front end of the bent along with Sun's logo. It was designed by Gardiner before he was killed. I was at the Easy Racer Factory in Watsonville, CA last year and they didn't have one on display. This is a little puzzling since it is a great bent.
Discontinued?
BlazingPedals
12-09-07, 12:32 PM
Can anybody give me an idea why Easy Racer doesn't recognize the EZ-Speedster as being one of their bents? They have their logos right on the front end of the bent along with Sun's logo. It was designed by Gardiner before he was killed. I was at the Easy Racer Factory in Watsonville, CA last year and they didn't have one on display. This is a little puzzling since it is a great bent.
The EZ line was originally designed & licensed by Gardner Martin, but it was never made by him or AFAIK marketed by him.
countersTrike
12-09-07, 04:12 PM
Can anybody give me an idea why Easy Racer doesn't recognize the EZ-Speedster as being one of their bents?
Both of mine were the prototypes, and were built in th E.R. factory in 2004, but after outsourcing to Tiawan and not doing huge sales, they may have decided to work on products they have more knowledge and experience building. I will never know for sure; just a guess!
countersTrike
BlazingPedals
12-09-07, 05:20 PM
I should make an amendment before someone else does it for me. The EZ-1 WAS made and marketed by Gardner.
I've been told that the foam seat wicks up water and holds it like
a sponge...which translates into sitting on a thick block of ice for me if
it gets soaked in the winter.
Happy Trails[/quote]
My answer to this is I cut apiece out of and old shower curtain and put it under the cover and it will dry in a few minutes if you wipe it off with a towel..
Wink
BlazingPedals
12-10-07, 05:47 AM
When my V-Rex needed new mesh for the back, I got some 'Pet-Pruf' screen material from the local big-box hardware store and had my sister sew one up. Anybody with a sewing machine could do it for you, using the old one as a pattern. Unfortunately, (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it,) a roll of the stuff is enough for a half dozen seat backs.
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