Recumbent - My new ride

New to the world of bents, I haven't even rode a bike in at least 30 yrs. I got this bent on ebay for $230.00 and will be picking it up at the end of Aug. It's made by recumbentusa, I don't even know the name or model of it. The first time I saw a bent was out in PNW and I knew then I wanted one. I've seen some very expensive ones and when I seen the price of this one I had to buy it. This thing is in like new condition and was owned by a woman. She said she got it and could not get used to riding it for some reason. Said she tried a few times then parked it in the garage. I'd like to get some input from everyone about this bent and what I can expect from it, did I get a good deal?. Keep in mind I have not rode a bike in the last 30 yrs.

Looks like a great deal to me. How does it ride? Looks like a bike that would be easy to ride around in traffic.

Looks like a great deal to me. How does it ride? Looks like a bike that would be easy to ride around in traffic.

I have not got it yet. I pick it up in Wisconsin at the end of the month.

If it hasn't been used in a long time, you may want to make sure that control cables aren't stuck or rusted; the chain's in decent shape, etc.

If it hasn't been used in a long time, you may want to make sure that control cables aren't stuck or rusted; the chain's in decent shape, etc.

She had sent this to a consignment shop to be sold. She did bring it to a local bike shop for inspection and they tested it out and it checked out to their specs as for being road ready. From the pictures I have of it, It looks immaculate to me. I would like to know what kind of mirrors and lighting I should be looking to buy also. The lighting in case I do some night riding. The mirrors for safety's sake.

Well for lighting, I like my DIY mounted 4 watt LED flashlight for the front and I think everybody agrees the Planet Bike Flash is the best tail light.

As for the deal you got, best price I have seen for that bike has been $300. So, I think you dun good. It sold new, depending on which year it is, for around $600 to $700.

Go here

http://www.recumbentusa.com/bikes.html

They are selling for 630.00 new, discounted from 1,200.00.

Most likely made in China or Asia. Some bikes made "over there" are fine, some are junk. Not sure about this one. The price is right, what did you pay, 230.00? You can't go wrong for that! Worth the risk.

Had it been me, I'd have spent a bit more, maybe 500.00 total and picked up a good used Rans or Bacchetta. Both brands are top of the line, and they have a large dealer network.

Here is the manual for it. Open link and scroll down

http://www.dvrl.com/download/UNDERST.INSTR..pdf

Lastly, here is a post from bentrideronline.com that mentions this brand
( yes, it is made in China )

"If you can do some of your own assembly/maintenance you might look at Actionbent or RecumbentUSA models(imports from China). Those last two companies give you good bang for your buck, but no demonstration rides that I know of. Another importer is Performer brand."

So, if you have mechanical skills you should be OK.

I have not got it yet. I pick it up in Wisconsin at the end of the month.


If you can get to Stevens Point ,Wi after you pick it up, they can inspect it for you and give you tips on learning to ride a SWB bent.

http://www.hostelshoppe.com/

The early AB bikes were not very polished. And that's a kind statement. For that price, at least you should have a few spare bucks to make the fixes that a more expensive bike would already have. It looks like that chain is running really close to the frame. It may benefit from adding a power-side idler to prop the chain up along the chain line. Something like on a RANS V-Rex.

The early AB bikes were not very polished. And that's a kind statement. For that price, at least you should have a few spare bucks to make the fixes that a more expensive bike would already have. It looks like that chain is running really close to the frame. It may benefit from adding a power-side idler to prop the chain up along the chain line. Something like on a RANS V-Rex.

This is what the chain looks like,"pic is from the recumbentusa site" Could you explain what the idler thing is please?

This is what the chain looks like,"pic is from the recumbentusa site" Could you explain what the idler thing is please?

I'm not seeing an ider. What I do see is a chain tube, two of them actually. These are used to keep the chain from rubbing against your pants legs. I had a recumbent with the tube. Worked fine. You can hear the chain rubbing against the inside of the tube, no big deal. If you don't like it you can always take it off. However you may then get greasy pants.

An idler is a round thing that your chain goes thru, a little wheel thing. It helps with chain management, reduces chain "slop" and such. Many, if not most recumbents have an idler, or two on them.

I'm not seeing an ider. What I do see is a chain tube, two of them actually. These are used to keep the chain from rubbing against your pants legs. I had a recumbent with the top. Worked fine. You can hear the chain rubbing against the inside of the tube, no big deal. If you don't like it you can always take it off. However you may then get greasy pants.

An idler is a round thing that your chain goes thru, a little wheel thing. It helps with chain management, reduces chain "slop" and such. Many, if not most recumbents have an idler, or two on them.

Thanks for the info Jeffh129,
As you can tell,I don't remember much about bikes. BTW the one pictured in my first post is from the recumbentusa site, also... mine is an uss.

No problem. At some point everyone has questions.

I updated my first post with pictures of my bent.

Well for lighting, I like my DIY mounted 4 watt LED flashlight for the front and I think everybody agrees the Planet Bike Flash is the best tail light.

4 watts? My DIY headlight is a 65watt halogen. turns night in to day. Maybe it is overkiil for most, but for me - I love it.

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=105516&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1242871512

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=105412&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1242793780

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=105416&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1242793845

As for mirrors - I have 2. I just got the ones that mount in the bar ends and they work great. Depending on your bike (and body) - and you'll know better once you get the bike, the extensions off the mount will be important. Mirror is no good if it doesn't stick out far enough to see behind you.