Recumbent - Vision Recumbent Question

A LBS has a Vision recumbent for sale. They said that they replaced the shifter and front tire. I has the full suspension. Is this a good bike? What is a good price for this?

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It's an OK bike for its era, but it's at least 10 years old, that being when Vision went out of business. I'm pretty sure the Vision designs were bought by Hostel Shoppe and morphed into Volae line.

Looks like an R50-series model? Check out the logo on the front derailleur tube and tell me what it is.

I have a R55 and love it. I paid $350 for mine (Craigslist) plus drove 8 hours round-trip to pick it up. I considered it a good deal at the time, a steal in retrospect. How much are they asking? In retrospect I would have paid $500 for this bike and still been very happy with it

For reference, the R55 retailed for $3000 back in the late 90's. The original owner of my bike was anal about receipts (I have receipts and copies of advertising material for EVERYTHING he bought. And I do mean everything. I had receipts for tubes!) It was $2999.99, but the store gave him a couple hundred dollars credit to buy accessories.

It is my regular (4+day/week) commuter and exercise machine. Rides very smoothly. It might be a bit heavier than something you can buy new now (the frame is CroMo, very solidly built, adjustable front boom does add mass), but it is a solid bike and there is a decent community of Vision riders, both in a Yahoo group and on BROL. I have the service and sales manuals if you need them. Happy to answer any questions you might have.

-philip

If you can get a solid, comfortable bike for under $300, then welcome to the land of laid-back riders. Ride it for a year or two and see if you want to upgrade.

I had a feeling I thought it was overpriced. They are asking 700 for it. I figured for that price I would just order a new TerraTrike Rover.

Actually, $700 for a Vision R5x in good shape is a fair price. I've seen them go for a grand in a couple places recently. Plus you might be able to do some haggling on it, get some accessories thrown in for that price. It's a very different beast than a Rover.

Ok, I'm going to that LBS tomorrow to look at this Vision and other trikes and recumbents. What should I look for on this Vision?

Make sure if the Cane Creek shock needs a pump that they've got it. Look for wear on the idler (signs of wear should get you a discount if you point them out, maybe). At your current weight, you'll have to crank the shock up to max, so some test ride is definitely called for to make sure that it's in decent shape. Beyond that, I don't have much hands on (and no butt on) time with a Vision, so I can't say much more. Asking over on BROL might get you some good tips.

Ahh this is why I'm afraid for buying a used bike, I dont know what to look for!! Used cars I'm good, used bikes, not so much!

I checked out the Vision today, it seems like a nice bike, I just dont think its for me. I just dont think I would like the SWB.

There is a lot of recumbent trike rider activity in Ohio. They have regular trike rides and races several times a year during the riding season. I'd suggest you PM Larry Varney (one of the site moderators on www.bentrideronline.com) and ask when the next one would be when Spring arrives. It might be close enough for you to take a drive there and see and try a variety of trikes.

Thanks Vegas, I just joined over there and sent Larry a message.

If you want a trike, then you want a trike and a 2-wheeler won't do. OTOH, the Vision is much more of a serious machine than a Rover. Not to say the Rover is a toy, but it's a starter recumbent while the R-50 was an enthusiast-level bike.