I am considering purchasing my first recumbent within the next few months. A few days ago I went to the LBS and rode several different models. I tried the Bacchetta Giro, RANS V-Rex, and RANS Tailwind but the one that made my heart go thumpity thump was the RANS Force 5 LE.
Having no prior recumbent experience I based what I liked on how it felt to me, and how much fun it was to ride. The LBS owner suggested the LWB Tailwind would be a good starter recumbent but I wasn't as impressed with it. The Force 5 actually felt more stable to me than the others at low speed as well as high.
Although I do plan on trying out other recumbents this one has really grabbed my attention. Other than what the manufacturer's website says I have not found any reviews on it. Has anyone here had any experience with this model? It looks like it would be a good all around type recumbent but I also wonder how it would do for loaded touring?
Any information you could offer would be appreciated.
The BikeForums Team
-adv-
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www.bentrideronline.com has a review in the recent issue. They were impressed
with it also. Recumbents are widely variant in their behavior and the new bent
rider typically goes through 2-3 bikes before finding one that is satisfactory. Starting
out with the Force 5 may truncate this experience for you. Most bents can be fitted
with pannier carriers and tail boxes that allow for touring. Its lowest gear is 23,
which may not be 'low enough' for loaded touring in hilly country but 100rpm cadence
in a 23 gear is 7mph. In my experience riding less than 4mph in an unloaded bike results in stability problems. Loaded might be worse, so a much lower gear isn't going
to help much. Steve
Krispy
Thanks for the info Steve. I read the review and it reinforced my opinion of the bike. I've also read several good reviews of other recumbents that I would like to try.
You have a good point about the gearing and the speed while carrying a load up a hill. I will need to do more research in that area. I've also emailed RANS to ask their opinion of how this bike will do as a loaded tourer but have not received a reply yet.
Thanks again
pmmartin
Thanks for the info Steve. I read the review and it reinforced my opinion of the bike. I've also read several good reviews of other recumbents that I would like to try.
You have a good point about the gearing and the speed while carrying a load up a hill. I will need to do more research in that area. I've also emailed RANS to ask their opinion of how this bike will do as a loaded tourer but have not received a reply yet.
Thanks again
Let us know what you hear I would be interested to know.
Krispy
Let us know what you hear I would be interested to know.
They just now responded. They were all at Interbike.
This is their reply;
Thanks for your inquiry.
At this point the seat bags and underseat racks probably fit the Force 5 the best. We've tried the rear rack, but in more reclined positions they don't work that well.
Best regards,
Ronnie Hendershott
RANS Bike Team
Phone: 785.625.6346
Fax: 785.625.2795
ronnie@rans.com
www.ransbikes.com
Jamtastic
.i
warriorlion
Go for what you like. I liked both the V2 Formula & the Force 5. The V2 Formula was responsive, very easy to ride, & felt very stable. The Force 5 is quick, fits quite nicely on my Saris Cycle-On rack, & I love the way it looks. My next recumbent will probably be one of these: http://www.catrike.com/2005.asp
Cheers!
bmxnate
If you are interested in the Force 5, you should probably check out the Bachetta Strada. That bike is pretty fun to ride. It doesn't have a carbon fork, but the seat (in my opinion) is way more comfortable than the F5. However, you can get an M5 seat for the Force 5, so that might be a good option too.
Krispy
I've heard good things about the Strada. If the LBS had any in stock I would have considered it but I couldn't find any around to test ride. About two weeks ago I bought the Bacchetta Giro. The LBS owner gave me a pretty big discount on it. I reasoned that for the money it would be a cheap way to have a recumbent that does most of the things I want. I figure that if I continue to enjoy riding it then I might later buy a Bacchetta Aero for fast club rides and t-shirt rides and then use the Giro for loaded touring.
So far I have really liked the Giro. I've put 250 miles on it in two weeks and have not touched my other bikes at all.
bmxnate
Yeah, I haven't ridden the Aero yet, but those things are sweet. The first time that I saw one, I was like "WOW!"
funbun
You have a good point about the gearing and the speed while carrying a load up a hill. I will need to do more research in that area.
If you need lower gear this is the guy to talk to:
http://www.abundantadventures.com/mt_plus.html
He can make a quintuple chainring. I'm building a Greenspeed GTR and I plan to use a Quad chainring 22, 30, 42, 52. Anyway, RANS makes awsome 'bents. I view them as the grandaddy of the 'bent world because of the long standing success of the RANS Strautus.
Trsnrtr
Yeah, I haven't ridden the Aero yet, but those things are sweet. The first time that I saw one, I was like "WOW!"
I've got an Aero and a Volae Team; eat your heart out! :D
bmxnate
Yeah man, that is sweet! I am an 18 year old kid, and I didn't know jack about recumbents until this summer. I am a bmxer who was hired by my LBS to be the bmx guy, but I learned a ton about recumbents this year. They are really fun to ride. Oh yeah, that Volae Team is PIMP!