Recreational & Family - Reasonably Priced Crank Forward

I want to get a bicycle for exercizing my dogs for the show ring. And I'm sure they will love a run once in a while.

I already bought a scooter for this purpose, but I'm finding it precarious, and my knees aren't holding up well to the constant pushing. See, not all my dogs like to pull, some of them run along side.

First I thought a recumbent tricycle would be great for this, then I spotted a Rans Crank Forward bike. However, at $1,000+, it's as much as the Sun trike I was looking at, and more than I want to spend for the occassional running the dogs.

So, does anybody have any recommendations of a lower priced Crank Forward bike? I'm hoping to find one around $500.

Also, I happen to have 2 bicycles already becides the Willy Scooter, a Bridgestone CB, which would work if I hadn't gained weight over the years, and a 1978 FUJI S10S that I'm not even going to try to get on until I lose 150 pounds.

If anybody has a Sacco Cart they don't want, that would be ideal. ;)

Looking around Ive found the Fuji Saratoga, but can't find it in my area. So, I'm going to look at a Trek Lowstep. I think that will do for me.

I suggest you look at Electra. They have a full line of CF bikes with 700C and 26" wheels. You may be able to find a model to your liking!

Thanks. I will look at those, also. The store I'm going to today carries them.

Rans makes very HQ bikes.
If there are hills where you live a 21+ speed will save you some grief.

http://www.parkersburgbike.com/about-parkersburg-bicycle.html has Trek which makes the "Pure"

http://www.athenscyclepath.com/Bikesnewlines.php has Giant which makes the "Suede"
and according to their website, you can order any manufacturer's product through them.

Ended up buying an orange Electra Townie with 7 speeds. I didn't really plan on it, but it was my third trip to a bike store over the weekend and I think it will be just fine. Now to replace those 2 inch wide tires!

Me and the fluffy guy both need to lose some weight!

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c14/seattleharpist/orange-1.jpg

I stopped at the trek store and tested a Pure. I put it on my "maybe" list. It seemed fine. I think it was the colors of the Electra bikes that sealed the deal. When I was younger I was all about black. Now I want fun color.

Great! Enjoy!

Electra does have some great colors! My dog has gone lame in his back legs. I recently bought an adult trike and I put him in the big basket on the back and we ride around town. He loves it!

I know there are trailers for dogs, also. I saw somebody pulling their husky on the STP (Seattle to Portland) a long time ago.

I doubt if I'll be posting much here. I just bought about $100 of accessories for the new bike. Just waiting for the roads to dry out and some warm winter weather here to take it out for a spin.

Now, let's see if the new sig works. ;)

Congrats on your purchase. The riding style is different from a conventional DF bike. Its hard to stand up and leverage your leg muscles to get over a hill so you'll have to adjust speed, pull down on the bars and get the most out of your glutes and quads!

Its a good way to lose some weight!

Looking around Ive found the Fuji Saratoga, but can't find it in my area. So, I'm going to look at a Trek Lowstep. I think that will do for me.

Surf n Cycle in Xenia carries the Fuji Saratoga. A super CF! Just posting if someone else is interested...

Like your orange Townie!