Recumbent - Sun's new Razor - Cruzbike killer

Check this out! Sun's new secret weapon.

http://www.saudifree.com/up/pic22/saudifree_d4740.jpg

Check this out! Sun's new secret weapon.

http://www.saudifree.com/up/pic22/saudifree_d4740.jpg

That looks really comfy for a racing type. Where could I haul my stuff, though? I couldn't see whole lot of space for racks or bags. ...And I'm still waiting for a rack that will fit my X-2 AX (due out in 2009).

The Cruzbike adjusts differently: the Sun looks like just the seat adjusts.
The Sun looks like it has no suspension: Cruzbikes have both front and rear suspension.

The Sun is a front-wheel drive recumbent, true, but I really don't think it's a
"Cruzbike killer."

Without the suspension and the adjustable TFT, the Sun may well be lighter and more inexpensive....

Without the suspension and the adjustable TFT, the Sun may well be lighter and more inexpensive....

I wouldn't consider it a disadvantage to have a moving seat adjustment or to forego suspension. But c'mon.
We're talking about a Sun here; "lighter" is not in their vocabulary.

I wouldn't consider it a disadvantage to have a moving seat adjustment or to forego suspension. But c'mon.
We're talking about a Sun here; "lighter" is not in their vocabulary.

A bike is a bike is a bike, but that's just an observation.
My back likes suspended single-track vehicles, so that, by default, is my preference.

I'm not a 'bent connoisseur, in fact I'm completely ignorant of the relative merits of the
various brands.
Front-wheel drive just appeals to me, as an elegant way to power a recumbent bicycle
(aren't the fully enclosed speed-record holders front-wheel drive?)
and the recumbent seat is the only type of bicycle seat that I can tolerate.

My Sofrider is relatively heavy, but It's well-built, is holding up very well
and I find it extremely comfortable.

So, BlazingPedals, I assume by your comment that you mean to say that Sun
manufactures heavy bicycles?!

Anyway, the Sun Razor looks like fun... clunky, but fun.
I'd love to test ride it.

Front-wheel drive just appeals to me, as an elegant way to power a recumbent bicycle
(aren't the fully enclosed speed-record holders front-wheel drive?)

Yes, but it's a different type of FWD. The Varna bikes use a twist-chain style FWD:
http://www.ohpv.org/albums/bm2004/varnas/pages/varnas21.htm ,
while the Razor/Cruzbike use moving bottom-bracket style FWD similar to the Flevo design.

There's upsides and downsides to both these designs (as well as rear wheel drive).

Sun bikes are, shall we say, "overbuilt." That can be a Good Thing if you're a member of the 300lb club, but a bad thing if you're not. I don't know about the Cruz-clone yet, but I suspect it weighs more than the originals. I will say, it looks nice.

Am I seeing Ape Hangars on that bike?? :twitchy:


PW

Not too bad looking. My immediate comment would be no suspension = bad thing. With FWD, you really want to keep that front tire sticking to the road and suspension plays a big part in that. I'm sure that bike works just fine in most conditions, but I wouldn't be wanting to sprint up a hill with expansion cracks on a rigid FWD.

Interesting that they took the approach of fixing the front end and making the seat movable. I like that, I think. Fewer clamps and what not that add up to extra weight.

It doesn't look too bad, but I'd be reluctant to call it a CB killer.

Mark

Dang! Now I might have to buy yet ANOTHER bike! As owner & rider of a half-dozen 'bents already, including a Cruzbike FWD conversion that is a total BLAST to ride, I want to try one of these SUN Razors out. Unfortunately the only bike shop here in Hawaii that sells 'bents won't stock one of these; too unusual. They wouldn't even stock a SUN Tomahawk, so I special-ordered one to try (nice, fast, but not perfect). I know they won't stock a FWD. The MBB-FWD design is not for everyone, but once mastered it is totally fun to ride!

I like the LWB in the background with the electric motor.
Kinda looks like an EcoSpeed mid-drive.
Is the LWB an EasyRacer?

I ride a raptobike, a twist-chain FWD lowracer. It isn't the MBB FWD style pictured above. My bike doesn't have suspension and I have had zero problems with wheel slip. Not uphill, not in the rain, not on gravel, not uphill in the rain.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3368/3435472777_7b2f53e146.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3556/3604360992_bc2f9326df.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/watson_house/3604360992/)

Obviously I can't say anything about the Sun Razor. A MBB FWD design preforms quite differently than a twist-chain FWD.

It's been over eight months since those first pics were posted, and I haven't heard any more about it. Did Sun quietly drop the concept?

It's been over eight months since those first pics were posted, and I haven't heard any more about it. Did Sun quietly drop the concept?
Ha, I didn't notice how old the thread was.

Jeff Wills,
The link you posted is broken. I'm disappointed, as I was hoping to learn more about FWD. The Cruzbike Silvio is a good-looking bike, judging from an online video of it I viewed. Haven't seen it up close and personal, I should add.

I'm intrigued as to the "twist-chain style" vs. the "bottom-bracket style" FWD techniques. Which do you think is better for the recreational biker? Or is it more a "six-of-one vs. half dozen of the other" type thing?

I contacted SUN Bicycles about this bike. Their reply:

<< Thursday, July 16, 2009 5:20 AM
From: <gary@jbimporters.com>


The bike from the forum you sent was a proto-type that never went into production. A bit too unsafe. At this point we do not have anything like it in the works.

Thank You >>

So there you have it. Not available. Too bad, I probably would'a bought one. Cruzbike remains the only MBB-FWD on the market AFAIK
I want a Raptobike "Mid-Racer", too, once it's in production. Wonder if a USA distributor will appear? May just have to build my own twist-chain FWD.