Recumbent - Clyde lookin for a recumbent/trike.

Thought about posting this in the Clydesdale forum, but figured this would be more appropriate. - I'm a big AND heavy guy. 6'4 and 350 or so. I've been out riding and have seen people on the 'bents and thought it looked REALLY fun. - So here's my question. Does anyone have any thoughts of what brand to look at that would support my weight in the sub $2000 category.

Thanks for any ideas.

Butter.

if you're up for a trike, sun makes a heavy duty trike, it says the max height is 6'3" though, so it may feel a little cramped, i'd email the shop here:

http://www.bicycleman.com/recumbents/trikes/sun/sun-ez-3-USX-recumbent-trike.htm

this looks like a really comfortable bike (not speedy, but veeery comfy) and it runs at around $1300 i believe, it's HEAVY (65 lbs) but . . . it's steel, and probably has the strength you'll need

i'm sure the guy that owns this site will have something for you, i've read about a lot of the bikes he sells, and he seems to have first hand experience with all of them : ) good luck on your search!

Hi Butterfat

I am just a bit smaller than you and can highly reccommend the RANS V2 Xl, which is what I ride.

It has a fully triangulated steel frame that is about the strongest, stiffest - both vertically and horizontally that I have seen in a long wheelbase recumbent.

I have done several tours with a full load of panniers etc. without any problem.

Only thing that you may have to keep an eye on (but this would be the same with most any recumbent) is the rear wheel. If you are touring, you can end up with a very heavy load on the rear wheel.

RANS no longer makes the steel version of the V2, but they do have one in aluminum. However used V2s are readily available on Ebay, Craigslist, etc.

For a year or two, RANS made a Heavy Duty version of the V2. I think that the primary upgrade was the wheels. You might check to see if they still do something similar, although it isn't indicated in their catalogue.


Ron Richings
Vancouver, BC
Canada

I too am a little bit smaller than you, 6'-4" and 280 lbs. I ride a Catrike Trail and it hauls me around without any fuss. I had a LONG boom added by the bike shop, and had the shifters upgraded to thumb shifters and a better bottom bracket and crank added as well. The whole cost, with accessories (computer, pedals, water cage, etc.) was right around $2200 out the door.

I feel assured that this bike could carry the extra weight, as it has seat frame triangulated into the main frame and is very stiff.

Give Catrike a look!

Tractor Tom in Okeechobee, FL

Greenspeed GTR. Talk to Mick (at Greenspeed). He'll have one built exactly to your specifications.

http://www.greenspeed.com.au/

If you're up for a two-wheeler, Actionbent sells the Desantis Beagle, which is rated up to 335 lbs.

Hey thanks a bunch for all the info. Ill have a look and see what's happening. Gives me something to look forward to in the spring. - I'm not gutsy enough here to ride in the upcoming Minnesota winter. The ice and crap gives me the willies.