Fifty Plus (50+) - Ordered a new bike.

Mrs Grouch and I just returned from Hays, Kansas where we test rode a new recumbent tandem. From the time that we left home until we returned we averaged 30 MPH. We missed the big traffic accident in Kansas City but drove through wind and snow most of the way to Hays. Our hotel left something to be desired too - it was that kind of trip.

Test ride time the wind chill was in the single digits so we didn't want to ride for a real long time. The purpose of the trip was to see if we could ride the Seavo recumbent tandem with 2 - 26" wheels. We couldn't so discovering that fact made the trip worthwhile. The Screamer (hence to be called the "Screaming Yellow Zonker") with a 20" front wheel and lower captain's seat and bottom bracket, is more our style.

I ordered the bike as soon as we returned home. It's going to have front and rear disc brakes, Phil Wood hubs and bottom brackets, all the good stuff. Kelvin at Angletech has promised delivery by April 1. Mrs. Grouch is stoked (pun intended)!

:thumb: Yay, and welcome to the dark side!

Welcome to the Dark Side! The Angletech-built Screamer sounds very nice, indeed.

we test rode a new recumbent tandem.

we averaged 30 MPH.

I ordered the bike as soon as we returned home!

Wow. I can see why;)

Many congratulations and many happy & safe future miles to you both

Mrs Grouch and I just returned from Hays, Kansas where we test rode a new recumbent tandem . . . we averaged 30 MPH !

Story edited for posterity.

"From the time that we left home until we returned we averaged 30 MPH. "

I need to get me one of those.

I know you said you couldn't get on with 2 X 26" wheels- but what was the problem? Not that I am thinking of a recumbent but it might be a pointer for others.

But how can you wait that long? Hope it arrives by the end of March- but even that is onlyr a month away. Barely enough time to get the missus to grow the beard and you to learn how to smoke a pipe.:innocent:

HAYS, KS? That was quite a hike from Missoui. Congrats on pulling the trigger on the new ride. Double congrats on the average speed. What a team you two make.

I do believe there is a bit of misunderstanding at work here. :)

Congratulations. It seems very nice.

And it's yellow. Yellow Bike approves.

I do believe there is a bit of misunderstanding at work here. :)

naaah-- Retro's ordered a new bike and it is fast---And yellow.

SWEET! Congradulations! We hope the someday we can figure out how to come up with funds for a "Recumbant Tandem", they look like fun and comfort all rolled into one package! :)

I do believe there is a bit of misunderstanding at work here. :)


Just a little one.............:lol:

I know you said you couldn't get on with 2 X 26" wheels- but what was the problem? Not that I am thinking of a recumbent but it might be a pointer for others.

The 26" front wheel makes it necessary to raise the main frame beam. The captain's bottom bracket is 32" above the ground. I don't know how high the captain's seat was but sitting on it I could just barely touch the tips of my big toes to the ground. Recumbent seats are different so you can't straighten your knees to reach the ground.

I suspect that if I had a bunch of recumbent riding experience I would have been able to make it work. That's not the way it is and we want to take this bike on a week long tour during June. I have also read reports from several other tandem teams who prefer the Screamer with it's 20" front wheel to the Seavo so I guess that we're not alone.

Is this what it looks like?

http://www.ransbikes.com/screamer%2007/Escreamer.jpg (http://www.ransbikes.com/Screamer07.htm#)

Is this what it looks like?

http://www.ransbikes.com/screamer%2007/Escreamer.jpg (http://www.ransbikes.com/Screamer07.htm#)

Pretty much but ours will be much cooler because it's getting disc brakes front and rear and independent coasting chainrings. It also breaks in two. (Actually, any bike can be broken into two, but ours can be rejoined afterward.) And with Mrs. Grouch on the back, of course, it'll get even cooler yet.

It sounds great. I will be looking forward to seeing pictures of it.

ours will be much cooler because it's getting disc brakes front and rear and independent coasting chainrings. It also breaks in two.

Jeepers. All the good stuff.

I'm trying to visualize where the S&S couplers go. It's not working for me. Where do they put them?

Looks very nice. Wish I had one! I like the 20" front wheel on my RANS Stratus. It has no negative impact on speed, not that it would make any difference to me. Those long wheel base steel frames really ride nice too.

Jeepers. All the good stuff.

I'm trying to visualize where the S&S couplers go. It's not working for me. Where do they put them?

Couplers go in front of the rear bottom bracket and just behind the front seat. There's actually a chance that it will just barely fit inside our car if I remove the rear wheel and push the front boom between the front seats. If that's the case, I'll probably have to make some kind of stand to hold the rear triangle up.

Couplers go in front of the rear bottom bracket and just behind the front seat. There's actually a chance that it will just barely fit inside our car if I remove the rear wheel and push the front boom between the front seats. If that's the case, I'll probably have to make some kind of stand to hold the rear triangle up.

After you've ridden the Screamer for a while, you should have a much better idea of what you want in a single recumbent.
Are you still leaning towards a highracer with 700c wheels?

After you've ridden the Screamer for a while, you should have a much better idea of what you want in a single recumbent.
Are you still leaning towards a highracer with 700c wheels?

Nope!

Like you say, I'm looking forward to getting a little experience before I commit myself to a single recumbent. My experience with the Seavo has cured my desire for a 700c or even a 26" front wheel bike.

If I were making that decision today I'd go with a short wheelbase recumbent with a 20" front wheel. I'd relace my Chris King hubs onto Velocity aeroheat rims, and steal the Magura hydraulic rim brakes and XTR rear derailleur off of my Porsche mountain bike. I haven't decided what crankset I want. I'm leaning toward a compact double. I'm also interested in seeing how well I like shifting with DA bar ends and Paul's thumbies.

I'm thinking the single is going to be a lot more fun than just buying a stock bike.

Lot of things I do not understand about recumbents- but one thing I have heard is that gearing is different. Don't know if that is true or how it is different- but yet another thing to learn about these beasties. And your explanation on the 2 X 26" wheels makes sense. Don't think I would be able to touch terre Firma with a recumbent seat that is that high either.

Nope!

Like you say, I'm looking forward to getting a little experience before I commit myself to a single recumbent. My experience with the Seavo has cured my desire for a 700c or even a 26" front wheel bike.

If I were making that decision today I'd go with a short wheelbase recumbent with a 20" front wheel. I'd relace my Chris King hubs onto Velocity aeroheat rims, and steal the Magura hydraulic rim brakes and XTR rear derailleur off of my Porsche mountain bike. I haven't decided what crankset I want. I'm leaning toward a compact double. I'm also interested in seeing how well I like shifting with DA bar ends and Paul's thumbies.

I'm thinking the single is going to be a lot more fun than just buying a stock bike.

Far be it from me to mention a titanium V-Rex frameset...........................the steel frame is perfectly fine.
The 26/20 V-Rex is 'easier' to ride than the 26/26 V3 but my opinion is subject to change after I get in a complete riding season on the LWB V3.

Sounds great! I'll look forward to ride reports.

Far be it from me to mention a titanium V-Rex frameset.

I'm thinking the Enduro Sport frame might be a little more my style. The $2,000 price tag for the Ti-Rex frame exceeds my choke point. Also, The Enduro Sport frame is RED! I like red.

we test rode a new recumbent tandem. From the time that we left home until we returned we averaged 30 MPH.
I ordered the bike as soon as we returned home. It's going to have front and rear disc brakes, Phil Wood hubs and bottom brackets, all the good stuff. Kelvin at Angletech has promised delivery by April 1. Mrs. Grouch is stoked (pun intended)!

Wait a minute. Average 30MPH. Am I missing out on something? I might average half that much on my comfort bike. So is this the benefit of this type/style of recumbent with 2 riders? Can a short wheelbase recumbent average the same speed or is the lack of weight and wind resistance a factor? That website looks interesting.

Wait a minute. Average 30MPH. Am I missing out on something?

Should I explain or let him figure it our for himself?

Enduro Sport wheelbase is a bit longer than for a V-Rex, which can be a good thing.
Highly recommend the RANS Sling Mesh seat.

Should I explain or let him figure it our for himself?

OK, after reading some of the recumbent threads I concluded this. If I want speed, comfort, less effort when riding then I pay the price of a SWB recumbent. If I want to keep affordably fit then I stay with a DF. Am I getting warm?

OK, after reading some of the recumbent threads I concluded this. If I want speed, comfort, less effort when riding then I pay the price of a SWB recumbent. If I want to keep affordably fit then I stay with a DF. Am I getting warm?

Clue: 4 wheels and a horn that goes 'Beep-beep!"

By the way, my SWB 'bent is in the same price ballpark as many 'entry-level' DF's, as seen in Bicycling mag.

OK, after reading some of the recumbent threads I concluded this. If I want speed, comfort, less effort when riding then I pay the price of a SWB recumbent. If I want to keep affordably fit then I stay with a DF. Am I getting warm?

Warm kool-ade maybe. :rolleyes: ;)