Recumbent - Brief poll: Choose one of these 3 Recumbents as your only steed and explain why

Which Recumbent would you choose and explain why not the two others?

It's unanimous - RANS wins!

I picked the V-Rex because I'm a bit of a big-wheel chauvinist. Bigger drive wheels are easier to give normal gearing using normal parts. Big wheels roll over imperfections in the pavement better, they aren't as harsh when you actually hit something; and the tires tend to last longer too.

OTOH, there's something to be said for only needing to pack one size tire/tube when going on a tour...

I would choose the RANS V-Rex. I prefer a 26" drive wheel.

Which Recumbent would you choose and explain why not the two others?

Heck when I go over to Hickory Stables and ride a steed up the hills I never think about my homebuilt velomobile. Funny how some recumbent folk call their bike a horse.

The recumbent myths are endless.

Spuds

I would choose to walk.

Tailwind. It's a lot easier to ride a bicycle with the pedals behind the front wheel instead of in front of it.

It's a lot easier to ride a bicycle with the pedals behind the front wheel instead of in front of it.
If you had said that IYHO it was easier to pedal with the pedals LOW instead of HIGH, I could accept that. But I have no idea why it should be easier to have the pedals behind the wheel. This seems to be a case of YMMV; it's certainly not a Universal Truth(tm).

Tailwind. It's a lot easier to ride a bicycle with the pedals behind the front wheel instead of in front of it.

Yup thats true. It is easier to ride a regular bicycle with crank arms behind the front wheel up a hill. There is nothing easier than standing on the pedals when climbing up a hill on a bicycle. If a regular bicycle has crank arms in front of the front wheel the fellow riding it might get a bad case of stretchy leg and tire burns on the legs.

Spuds

How would you know since you walk up hills? I would say your hamstrings get a good workout though spuds. I've ridden both style recumbents and find I can put more power to the pedal with the pedals out in front of the wheel. I just don't like the upright seating position I guess.

I can put more power to the pedal with the pedals out in front of the wheel.

Come on down to Indy next month and show us the power.

Some of my elite HPV racing team will be there. Hey want to join? I still have a couple openings on the team to fill.

Spuds

Of the three to choose from, I'd go with the V-Rex because(imho):

1) 26" drive wheel--more efficient, allows bike to use more "regular" gearing, doesn't require bike to
use such a humongous outer chainring, larger selection of tires in 26" size.

2) V-Rex ride is more stable at both low and high speeds, with very little(if any) tiller steer effect.
The Tailwind has some tiller steer(problem for some, not for others), and the Rocket has razor-
sharp handling(great for some, unnerving for others).

3) The V-Rex is more expensive, and justifiably so, as it's spec'd with very respectable, higher-end
components that most cyclists would be very satisfied with for many years of service. Most cyclists
will probably NOT outgrow the V-Rex, or its components, for want of something better or higher-
end.

Again, this is just my personal(and humble) opinion, and I totally respect all of my fellow members here who love their Tailwinds and Rockets. I'm just glad that there are so many different kinds and models of recumbents out there...so that pretty much anyone can find a recumbent that fits, suits, pleases them best! At the risk of sounding dreadfully corny, the best recumbent bike for you is the one that you're going to get on and ride!


;)

V-REX..I've owned all three. V-REX is the fastest and the best climber. Spuds, (Alan) don't respond to this cause yo' on my ignore list and you would be just wasting keystrokes. I haven't read a post of yours in a week or more. In fact, you can reciprocate by putting me on your ignore list.

Jude

Some of my elite HPV racing team will be there. Hey want to join? I still have a couple openings on the team to fill.
Spuds
Strictly BYOPBJ? Skippy of Jif? Smooth or chunky?

edit: I wouldn't choose any of the three. Sorry.

Ti- Rush, or Bacchetta Aero... Sorry, I have a fascination with Titanium. One day!
WWW.TOURDEPANTS.COM