Commuting - Commuter recumbants

What is the best recumbent for commuting?

Actually, this is a loaded question, since some will argue the best recumbent for commuting is the best recumbent for riding in any
circumstance; also, some say recumbents are not for commuting in traffic...

What?

An agile short wheel base recumbent is probably much easier to handle in the city than a LWD design. Easier to lock up too.

As for 2/3 wheels, I like the look of recumbent trikes. They are quicker off the mark at lights.

<<<<<"What is the best recumbent for commuting? ">>>>>>


It depends. If you can bring the bent inside your place of work, any recumbent would be find for commuting. The problem begins if you can't bring the bent inside and have to lock it outside. It's simply too expensive to leave a new bent outside.

You have two options if you can't bring the bent inside.

1. If you have to lock the bent outside, it would have to be an inexpensive "used" bent so that if it gets stolen or vandalized your loss won't be as great. This is the same kind of thinking you would use if you want to commute on a regular bike

The least expensive used bent you can find is the BikeE CT version. You can pick up used ones on Ebay every once in a while for 400 to 500 dollars. Here's another place to look

http://www.bikeroute.com/ibrd_cgi/Classifieds/class_ad.cgi?database=recumbent.setup

2. If you don't want to commute with an inexpensive used Bike E your only other hope is a folding bent. With a folding bent you might be able to bring it inside (with a cover) the office and put it under your desk or in some closet. More employers would be more reasonable if the bent were folding. What? You mean you don't know of any folding bents? Here's one that looks cute to me. There are others. I think this one is the best.

http://www.m5-ligfietsen.com/english/modellen.htm

Pete, in recent months, I have scoured the internet for info on recumbents. I, too, would use mine primarily for commuting, although, I would like to take it on the road once in a while. Since I am on a limited budget, I have looking at the lower end models, such as the BikeE CT and the Rans Tailwind. I prefer the look of a Compact Wheel Base, and also think it would be better for the kind of roads I commute on. But, since you do a lot of big city cycling, a short wheel base might work better for you as it is handles turns better. Welp, that's all I know. :)

Rans Tailwind? :)

I was thinking, "Wave" or "Rocket," (Rocket is same priced as Tailwind, Wave is LWB like Tailwind, but $200 less.) Nonetheless, one of these days, I'm going to fly on one. :D

"Rans Tailwind?
I was thinking, "Wave" or "Rocket," (Rocket is same priced as Tailwind, Wave is LWB like Tailwind, but $200 less.) "

I tested a number of recumbents today. Here is my impression.

The Rans Tailwind was a very nice bike. It's a little faster than a Bike E unless you put Primos on the latter. I didn't like the handlebar since it flexes too much for me. The dealer said you would get used to it. The Tailwind is not a small bike by any stretch of the imagination.

The Rans Rocket was a better bike in my opinion than the Tailwind. The handlebar was sturdier and it was in the right position (close to your body) for me. The bike overall felt faster and rode better than the Tailwind. Maybe because the wheels were closer. I don't know. It was faster that's for sure.

The EZ1 by Easy Racers -- To my utter surprise this bike was better than the Tailwind!! It's cheaper too. ($549) The handlebars really made the difference since they were sturdier and in the right position. (close to your body). The peddals were lower than the Tailwind. Again. They were in the right position for cycling. If I had to choose between Tailwind and the EZ1 the choice would be obvious. The EZ1.

For commuting purposes if the bikes had to be left locked outside the best bike would be the EZ1. Why?

It's the least expensive. Well. If you call $549.00 dollars inexpensive. The truth is you cannot leave the Rocket or the Tailwind outside since these $1000.00 cycles are BEAUTIFUL and would get hit hard by theives. The EZ1 is less attractive but handles very well and is less expensive.

If I had to choose between the EZ1 and the Rocket as a bent to buy? Good question. I would choose the Rocket simply because the paint job was incredible. The EZ1 looked square. Both handled great. I would never use the Rocket as a commuter. Too good looking.

My bad, Pete. I just got the old brain twisted around. Yes, I did mean the Wave, not the Tailwind. Not that I wouldn't want the Tailwind, but the Wave is certainly more likely to fit my wallet.

Dahon, how would the Rocket do for touring. Is there really a big difference in handling between the LWB and SWB?

The BikeE dealer in town has the CT on sale for $550 and the AT for $750. I have yet to test ride either, but I need to soon. The closest Rans dealer is a 45 minute drive, so it might be a while before I make it up there.

Originally posted by Dahon.Steve
The EZ1 looked square. Both handled great.

You're right on both counts - the EZ1 does look square (in fact, the tubes are literally square in cross-section), and it does ride great.

But - take a look at this. The EZ Sport, made by the same people. I haven't ridden one, but it looks like the same basic layout, only with a *much* nicer-looking frame. Kind of a recumbent cruiser:

http://www.bentrideronline.com/EZ%20Sport.htm

<<<<<<"Dahon, how would the Rocket do for touring. Is there really a big difference in handling between the LWB and SWB?" >>>

There is a difference. The LWB felt heavier than the SWB. The handling between the Rans Rocket and the Tailwind are noticable . I didn't think I would like the SWB (Rans Rocket) since it appears a more dangerous bike if an accident were to occure. I was wrong. The handling of the Rocket was superior than Ran's Tailwind. I would have to get used to the handlebars of the Tailwind since it flexes too much. This causes you to have to catch the handlebars and drive it carefully or the front wheel will be all over the place. The Rocket's handlebars were perfect and in the right place.

I don't know how the bikes would stand up in touring. Both the LWB and the SWB by Rans are comfortable. There are other LWB other than Rans and the ones made by Easy Racers are very good. The best bent I rode yesterday was the (LWB) Easy Racer Gold Rush. It's bigger than the all of the bikes but weighed less than the BikeE. I just don't have $3000 or the space in my house for that bike.

I have heard some say the BikeE CT is "slow". How is this bike slow? I thought it was one of lighter weight recumbents. Is it just the design of the bike or does it have to do with the comps?

>>>>>>I have heard some say the BikeE CT is "slow". How is this bike slow? I thought it was one of lighter weight recumbents. Is it just the design of the bike or does it have to do with the comps?>>>>>>


BikeE makes the slowest recumbents on the market because they use the thickest tires. A thick tire will make the bent easy to balance but harder to ride. The dealer had three BikeE's with really thick knobby wheels that he couldn't sell. I told him those bents were too slow and to remove them with Primos and they would sell.

The CT is just as fast if not faster than the AT. The CT is actually a lighter bike but many of them are sold with those thick tires. You got to put Primos on those tires or you'll get exhusted real fast.

In my opinion the FX was the fastest BikeE since it didn't have that huge chair behind it. When that Bent had Primos, it was faster than the Rans with dual 20 inch wheels!! I just didn't like the chair of the FX. It made me have to use some of my back mussels while riding. If I'm going to pay that much for a bent, I want to ride in confort even if it sacrifices some speed for it.

Originally posted by Dahon.Steve
The CT is just as fast if not faster than the AT. The CT is actually a lighter bike but many of them are sold with those thick tires. You got to put Primos on those tires or you'll get exhusted real fast.

What width tire would you recommend? I suppose it would be best to stick with a slightly wider tire on the rear for extra support. What would be the thinnest possible tire?

Pete, I have 4 recumbents and can only talk about their use. As they are European, except for the bikee, you may not be aware of them but I think that the principal is similar. For town use and commutes (depending on distance) I would use the Bikee AT. It is not fast but is good for the job I want it to do. It also has rear suspension. As I am retired I like to get out most days 25-30 miles so I then use a short wheel base King Cycle, it is primarily a racing bike but could be and is used for most cycling activities. For touring I use a long wheel base Peer Gynt it is fantastic. But it is/was an expensive bike so not for commuting. I also have trike but do not use it as much. It is horses for courses. Just as on wedgie bikes,there are, racing ,touring ,and town bikes. I think I am correct in saying that the speed has something to do with seat to pedal height, not just tyre thickness, although the thinner smoother higher inflated tyre will be faster than a thick tyre. Along with many other factors. I stand to be corrected.

"What width tire would you recommend? I suppose it would be best to stick with a slightly wider tire on the rear for extra support. What would be the thinnest possible tire?"

The back should be the same size as the Rans Tailwind. It's an excellent tire with little rolling resistence. Here are the specs

Primo Comet, 20" x 1.75", 100 P.S.I.

The front is a different matter entirely. The problem comes from the fact that the BikeE uses a 16 inch front wheel which is more sensitive to bumps and potholes than a 20 inch wheel. If you want to be aggressive, you can get the Primo Comet 16" X 1.5", 90 PSI. Don't go any lower in size like the 1.35

If you want to be conservative, you may have to choose the Kendra. This is a hybrid like tire but not too bad since some people don't want a hard 16 inch front wheel and prefer to go softer.

Kendra Krisp, 16" x 1.75", 40 - 65 P.S.I

Keep it at 65 P.S.I and you'll be OK


If you really want to go for the Bike E CT, you should look at the Easy Racers EZ -1. Test ride it first. I know it's not as sexy looking as the Bike E and looks kinda square but it does have some advantages for the commuter.

1. The square tub construction of the frame make it easy to lock the bike with a New York Chain. You are going to use a New York Chain aren't you?

2. The peddals are constructed in the right location for cycling. It's actually located in a position that's better than the Bike E.

3. The price is about the same as the BikeE CT. At $549.00 you just might end up walking away with one.

The AT is better than the EZ-1 only because it has suspension. I hate to say this but I think the EZ-1 is a little bit better than the CT.

Don't you worry about being hard to see when riding in heavy rush-hour traffic on a 'bent? Especially at night?

RichC