Fifty Plus (50+) - Unexpected N+1

I have too many bikes. I really need to get rid of a couple.

But that didn't stop me from adding another one!

Just picked up a Short Wheelbase recumbent. A Sun Speedster AX. I had given some casual thoughts to picking up a SWB with a 20" front and 26" rear. Had taken a test ride on a new Bacchetta which would have cost me $1900. This deal was too good to pass up.

It's about 7 years old, but the owner, a woman, said she only rode it for 3 months until she healed from a back injury, and then went back to her old bike. Said it was hanging up in the garage ever since. I looked it over, it had almost no wear on the seat or tires (which were the stock, original tires) or cranks. Original list back in 2005 was $1499, it certainly would sell for hundreds more than that now. Picked it up for 1/3rd of that.

Good set of components. SRAM X.9 derailleurs and shifters, Avid BB disc brakes, FSA crankset.

Not the lightest or sexiest SWB, a bit on the heavy side, but not much.

BROL reviewed the bike years ago. The AX is the high end model.
http://www.bentrideronline.com/archives/reviews/sun_bicycles_ez_speedster.htm

Blimey Tom- Don't hear from you for ages and then you startle us by buying another bike.

But some chances are too good not to be taken.

Don't forget to post in the N+1 for 2012

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/797406-Pics-of-the-N-1-of-2012

Congrats on a great find!!

Based on my limited experience, Sun bikes are dependable and durable.

I found a picture of a Speedster AX that was set up for touring. This guy really loaded it down!

Wow! Those are some substantial tires!

I've taken my Volae Tour on some 'Single Track' with no problem. It's shod with a 20 x 1.25 front and a 26 x 1.5 on the rear. Looking at that Speedster image you found I imagine it handles off road quite well and would be very much 'at home' on crushed limestone bikeways.

You shouldn't have to worry about breaking your Sun.
Looks like it came with some nice bits and pieces.

The Speedster AX was Sun's attempt to build a faster, higher end bent. But it didn't sell. They only offered it for 3 years, I think, and perhaps only made one big production run. The components are nearly identical to the current Bacchetta Giro 20 ATT, which retails at $2100.

I'll have to experiment with my tire pressure for crushed limestone trail riding. The Kenda's can take up to 100 psi, but I suspect running them at 80 will be a bit nicer.

I do have a paved option nowadays. They connected the limestone bike trail by my house to the Madison bike trails, via a paved connector. I can ride to downtown Madison or a couple of other towns on paved trails now. Round trip to the state capitol is 28 miles, all paved bike trail, not necessary to ride on any roads (except to cross them).