Recumbent - TREK r200 just bought recently - questions

Greetings, A few days ago I learned about recumbents, now I have one. While I know the R200 is old, heavy, not fast and has some design flaws ( I already scraped my tennis shoe on the front when when turning tight). I got a really good price on it, and it looks like new. ( when I looked at the silly think I fell in love with it, and knew I was taking it home)
So far I've gone around 10 miles and no real issues. I'm still learning the best approach to starting off from a dead stop, negotiating turns, stops, and at the same time traffic - great fun!
A few questions from you folks that would perhaps know:
1. I see where I can buy an extra mid cassette. Is this something I should do? Is the mid cassette on the R200 only made for that bike? ( Most of the running gear on the bike seems to be generic to me).
2. What kick stand was used on the bike? I read that a normal bike kick stand could be mounted on the rear left side, but I cannot for the life of me see how.
3. I have noticed that the bike does not at times get into high gear well. In fact I am taking it for a tune up tomorrow at a local bike shop. ( they tell me no worries on it being a recumbent).
4. I'm thinking of getting a Nexus 8 internal hub for it. Has anyone done this before and what are the pitfalls if any ( the hub would cost more than the bike :(

Given this is my first recumbent I am having a blast with the bike. I've only ridden it around my apartment so far, and am amazed at the looks I get. I've got a small trip along the coast on a bike trail planned for this weekend. I'm not a real hard peddle pumper, but this bike seems ok thus far on hills. One thing I liked about the r200 is that I can fold it down and get it into my vehicle trunk. Something that other bents cannot do. Also I like they fact that it is a bid odd, in new condition, ( looks like it was never used), and for the cost a fraction of what it cost new. ( even give they were being sold for $626 near the end), I am still way under that coast.

Any information on the r20 would be appreciated.

Thanks, Dan

The kickstand in question mounts on the left side either on the rear axle on the chainstay just in front of the rear axle.

Look around for an the older Nexus 7. As new old stock, it should be much, much cheaper.

Don't know the specifics on that mid-drive, but it's almost a sure thing that it's just regular bike components that have been adapted.

:)ensen.

There were some shifting issues at first, but TREK figured them out and got them resolved. Your bike may or may not have the modifications, whatever they were. I'd leave the bike with the original setup (modified per the 'fixes' that TREK came up with.) You can probably find more useful information at the TREKBENT group: http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/TrekBent/

Personally, I'd leave the gearing as-is. The R200 is unique; putting an internally-geared hub on it would cost a lot and ruin the collector's value, for (IMHO) very little in return.

good point on the hub, was an idea floating in the back of my mind in the "would be interesting" folder.
I got the bike tuned up today and it is amazing how well it shifts now. Only problem is that I need to break it down, fold the rear tide after removing the shock, and then fold the steer down. when this is done it puts the cable controls into bents not normal. This causes cable problems, thus shifing problems. At the moment I am having to use a sedan ( rental), but when I get the bike home I've got a normal bike rack on the FJ cruiser.

I emailed treck and they tell me no one left there knows anything about the bike, and no archives exist. Mine is a 2001, so perhaps most of the shifting issues were corrected..
Thanks for the info... Dan

If you haven't already posted at bentrideronline.com, you should. That's a 'bent-specific forum and source of almost unlimited recumbent information and resources.

R200 my first recumbent and still own. I purchased it with a rear rack made specifically for that bike. Managed at age 60 to do a 1300 mile self contained tour around Lake Superior with son and daugter on this bike.

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=RrzKj&page_id=68059&v=69

Bike was rock solid with loaded panniers going 40 mph+ down descents. Wide range of gears made it a good (but slow) climber also. With bike and loaded panniers probably 75 lbs on top of my own 200lbs. I did buy a new midrange cassette before the tour. I believe there is a limited number of these and were made specifically for the R200.

I did find the seat a little uncomfortabe at times on long distance days (Recumbutt). This bike is probably almost indestructable.

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n314/fluffypeanutcat/F5-03-1.jpg

This is from the Yahoo group TrekBent. Unfortunately, it's from August 2008:

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/TrekBent/message/1076

I bought one of these kickstand mounting brackets a few years ago, and it works well. I had the same idea, but Bobby Mitchell's were better than what I could make. I've been neglecting my R200 so the chains are rusty (a common thing here in Hawaii), but I've got too many bents and not enough time. When I was riding my R200 once, a guy ran up to me to ask where he could get one.

Good luck!

Aloha BentBum...another r200 in the islands...on Oahu?

For captdan -- I did get an additional mid-stack; after receiving it, took a look and do believe a person could build one.

Kickstand -- I've done without.

You're right about tuning...seems like after about 500 miles or so I'll get a little shift chatter. On Oahu it's kind of tough riding during the week, but do pretty good at getting 120 miles a week (let's say it's a goal...). I've not tried folding for travel, but have noticed if not done correctly, there could very well be a problem with the cables.

40 miles today...

Aloha all, alohadustoff

--> another thought, on my Bike Friday Pocket Rocket, I do slip the cable housings from the braze-ons when I fold it for packing...

Quick stop on the trail today...yes, we do have a spring in Paradise...

151195

Thanks gents for some great info. Glad to see there are others out there with an R200, I thought I was the only one.
I do have an issue with the bike. For some reason the front chain is rubbing on the frame bracket that holds the mid cassette. Not sure why, or when. I have ridden and looked down at the chain and all is well, only to come back from another ride to see more wear. I took a small bit of rubber and wiretied it around the bracket that was being chewed up, however of course this is a temp fix as the rubber just gets chewed up. I know the bike needs gear adjustment again due to the fact that I cannot shift into all 40 gears. ( perhaps due to my folding the bike into the trunk and screwing up the cable shifts), could it be that when the bike needs adjustments she tends to chew into the frame where I am seeing damage?



Aloha BentBum...another r200 in the islands...on Oahu?

For captdan -- I did get an additional mid-stack; after receiving it, took a look and do believe a person could build one.

Kickstand -- I've done without.

You're right about tuning...seems like after about 500 miles or so I'll get a little shift chatter. On Oahu it's kind of tough riding during the week, but do pretty good at getting 120 miles a week (let's say it's a goal...). I've not tried folding for travel, but have noticed if not done correctly, there could very well be a problem with the cables.

40 miles today...

Aloha all, alohadustoff

--> another thought, on my Bike Friday Pocket Rocket, I do slip the cable housings from the braze-ons when I fold it for packing...

Couple thoughts...check mid-derailleur arm tension. I by no means an expert on SRAM, but may help.

Also, on mine, previous owner installed chain tube to keep the chain 'tatoo' from the inside of the right leg...does look like it helps to keep the chain up off the frame bracket.