Recumbent - Looking at purchasing a Rans TW

Hello All,

I need to check out a price. I have the opportunity to purchase a RANS Tailwind for $450. It is an older one that was made in Kansas before they were made in Taiwan.

The overall condition of the bike is good. The previous owner wanted to upgrade. It is dirty but does not appear to have any defects in its components.

I have ridden the bike briefly and like how it feels and handles.

Is the price of $450 good? The salesman said that they have had the bike for a couple of years now and that no one has really been interested. I currently ride a Sun EZ-1 and would like to step up (this may be more of a lateral move. I don't know.) to something that responds better.

What do you all think?

Thanks for your input.

Randy

I'm sure the bike would be more responsive than a Sun, but the question is how much would it end up costing you if you had to update the drive train. Tailwinds used to go for about a thousand bucks, so at first glance $450 doesn't seem too bad. If it were an 8 or 9 speed, I'd go for it. If it were only a 7 speed, then I'd think twice about how much it'd cost by the time it was updated.

I've owned both. I think the TW is a little faster, lighter, and more responsive than the EZ1. I'd snatch up the TW for a fast ride and keep the EZ1 for a cruiser.

EZ1 is getting harder to find used and the new model is not the same and very expensive compared to what they used to cost.

I preferred the seating position on the EZ1 to the TW.

Thank you Chilidog and Blazing Pedals for your thoughts on the matter. I do think that the Rans definitely would be the faster of the two and I had considered using the EZ for the daily commute. Blazing, what are your thoughts on why I should consider upgrading the components at this point? I understand the cost factor but they appear to be in good condition and I believe that I could get a couple more years out of them. Would updated components make a big difference? I am still new at understanding the ins and outs of the effects of different upgraded components. Any information is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Randy

You wouldn't need to upgrade right away. The bug would hit when your shifters started getting sloppy, a few years down the road. I'm afraid 7-speed stuff will be harder to find by then, and when you do it'll be the lower-end stuff.

Gotcha. That makes sense. It happened on my MTB. That's a good point to consider.

Greetings,

I strongly recommend the Tailwind - I rode one for 6 years, and even now, after owning several other recumbents, it's still the best one I ever owned in many ways. Check out my review (along with many others) at
http://www.roadbikereview.com/cat/2001-bikes-and-older/older-recumbent-bike/rans-recumbents/PRD_28575_2506crx.aspx
It's a quality frame, and a near perfect seat/crank relationship. I don't think you can go wrong. The great thing is that the quality of the frame will allow you to start with the included components, then still accomodate upgrades should you choose to upgrade.

I'd check the bike very, very carefully inch by inch for any possible frame problems before purchase. That's no reflection on RANS, just general practice.

You can see another review at http://www.bentrideronline.com/reviews/RANS%20Tailwind.htm comparing older and more recent TW's.

If it turns out you are unhappy with a decent TW, resale at minimal loss should not be tough, especially if the seller were to accept a $350 or $400 offer.

You wouldn't need to upgrade right away. The bug would hit when your shifters started getting sloppy, a few years down the road. I'm afraid 7-speed stuff will be harder to find by then, and when you do it'll be the lower-end stuff.

Since it's a shop, they can answer the question of whether he could use a 9 speed shifter for 7 speed derailer. I believe it's possible. The indexing just needs to be the same. If the spread of the rear dropouts is enough, he could also update with a 9 speed cassette and derailer as those wear out. The shop can tell him that, also.

Since it's a shop, they can answer the question of whether he could use a 9 speed shifter for 7 speed derailer. I believe it's possible. The indexing just needs to be the same. If the spread of the rear dropouts is enough, he could also update with a 9 speed cassette and derailer as those wear out. The shop can tell him that, also.

The derailleur can stay the same; but when converting, you need the shifter and cassette to match, and that means the wheel must match, too. I consider cassettes to be a normal wear item, and if the shifters are worn/sloppy, adding a cassette to the expense is no big deal. But adding a wheel jacks the cost up a bit.