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cricket10
 
I'm looking for advice and ideas. I have a Marin MTB but am having wrist and other issues with it so I'm considering a Rans Fusion. There is no bike shop in this state that has one in stock so my question is this. I tried an Electra Townie and did not care for the difficult starts from a dead stop. Hard to get moving. I am looking for something fun to ride on street and trail and have read everything I can find on the Rans line. Still hard to know without trying one but I am understanding that the Rans are lighter weight than a Townie and are easier to get moving ? I appreciate any info....:)

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cat0020
 
Read all about Rans Fusion:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=64540

cricket10
 
Thanks for the link to the info about the Fusion. It makes the Rans Fusion sound truely great but just wondering if anyone has tried or compared to the handling of an Electra Townie? My fiancee is concerned about buying a Fusion without trying it because of the issues I had with the Townie. The few people I have talked to have told me that they are not terribly different from each other and handle pretty much the same, which doesn't go along with what I have read.

cat0020
 
Your experience about difficulty starting from a dead stop is probably going to be consistant on all recumbent or "crank forward" type bicycles.
Because the bottom bracket is located further away from your seating srea, you are less able to rely on your bodyweight to generate forward moving power.
The key to starting on a recumbent bicycle is to shift into easy gearing before the bike comes to a complete stop. It's something that becomes second nature as getting out of clipless pedals before you stop, if you use clipless pedals that is.

cricket10
 
Well, that helps, seriously. I had a stroke a year ago, and no I am not old, but have made a very good recovery, Still, my balance isn't as good as it used to be and I actually got my foot stuck in a toe cage on my Marin and bit it HARD. Again, one of the reasons I am looking for something fun and easy. I love riding and I am determined to find a bike I can ride comfortably. Thanks again for your help.

BlazingPedals
 
What Cat0020 said is true - with a recumbent, and to a lesser extent a crank-forward bike, you cannot push off to start. You have to rely on pedal power. I've done parking lot rides on a Fusion, and it's definitely easier to pedal. The Electra is a tank. Its redeeming quality is that it's cheap. What part of the country are you in? Maybe there's a RANS dealer somewhere near that you don't know about?

cricket10
 
I'm in south Florida. There is a dealer about an hour away but he has nothing in stock. I spoke to him this morning and he has a waiting list for Rans. I've contacted dealers listed in the Rans website but haven't found one in stock yet...Can't believe how hard they are to come by.

jeffh129
 
go here

http://www.crankforward.com/

StephenH
 
A couple of things to look at. Starting from a dead stop will be easier with lower gearing. If you have a single speed bike, your bike shop may be able to swap out the front or rear sprocket to adjust that. My cruiser is 44:22 or so, and that makes for fairly easy starting for me.

With a multi-speed bike, consider a multi-speed hub instead of a deraileur system, simply because you can shift into low gear while you're sitting there.

You might consider just standing up when you stop, even though you don't see the need otherwise.

Doug5150
 
I'm looking for advice and ideas. I have a Marin MTB but am having wrist and other issues with it so I'm considering a Rans Fusion. ... I appreciate any info....:)
I have a 2006 Fusion. There have been some changes (steel to aluminum for one) but I think the frame geometry is still the same.

It is much better comfort than an upright bike, but I cannot stand and pedal at all, or even stand on the pedals and coast very well. Nice for moderate cruising but not being able to stand and sprint is annoying at times.

Also at 6'2" I am right at the top of the seatpost's range. All the current crank-forward frames have the same inseam range, but RANS is supposed to be coming out with a taller crank-forward frame this year.

If I bought another one, I would probably get a Dynamik.
~

cricket10
 
Thanks everybody, for all of your help and advice. I just ordered a Rans Dynamik trail...

peachtree
 
I was also looking at getting the Townie but haven't tried riding it yet. I love the look of the bike. I was curious what made you think of the Rans Fusion as an alternative bike.

cricket10
 
I liked the idea of the crankforward and being as short as I am, being able to reach the ground with my feet while sitting. I owned a Townie for a short time and just found it to be rather heavy to move. I read a lot about these types of bikes and Rans kept coming up and they are lighter weight. I bought a RANS Dynamik Trail a couple of weeks ago and love it. I have owned alot of bikes in my lifetime but haven't enjoyed riding any of them as much as I do my Rans. GREAT bike !!

5port
 
Cricket

Non-fusion owners are not passing along the one tip that will get you going FAST from a dead stop. You pull on the handlebars as you are pedaling and this adds torque to the drive wheel. This action means it is a full body workout compared to a recumbent that really is a partial workout. I am always amazed at the torque I can get down using this method.

Edit: Keep in mind that the 2004 Fusions were 26/20 and 2005 on are 26/26.

Wren
 
Darn, I got here too late. Cricket, you may need to get different handlebars put on the Dynamik. I have carpal tunnel syndrome as well, and today spent about 2 hours comparing the Fusion, a Dynamik and the Zenetik. I came home with the Zenetik because I was really wanting a road bike, but I'd have to say my next bike will be the Fusion as an alternative ride on some light trails. Of the 3 designs, the Fusion's handlebars sweep backwards closer to the body than the other two bikes, and for a shorter person, the Fusion would be the easiest to get on and off of with it's lower top tube and longer wheel base. Don't fret though. Just swap out the handlebars on the Dynamik if your hands give you any problems. You can get the swept back bars that Rans puts on their recumbents.

We own a Townie, and I won't ride it. It in no way compares to any of the Rans crank forward bikes. Riding a Townie compared with a Rans anything is like driving a suburban vs a sports car.

You're gonna love your new ride!

cricket10
 
I have to agree with that post about pulling on the handlebars. It REALLY makes a difference. I wasn't worried about taking off fast with the Townie, but just keeping my balance in the first few seconds was a challenge for me. Not so with the Rans. Atleast not for me. Thanks for the tip on the handlebar issue. So far it hasn't proven to be a problem but it's useful information to have. I am going to start trail riding soon so we'll see how the wrists hold out....the only problem I have experienced is sliding forward on the seat. I have to scoot back every so often or I "bounce" on the edge of the seat. No big deal but I'm sure it's because I am only 5' tall.

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