Recumbent - Aikigreg.........paging paging

Hey, did you get your Baron problems worked out yet? Just want to make sure you will be on track to do BRAT in the fall. Can't do BRAT if you don't have a working bike ya know.

Heh. At the moment I'm in limbo. I've been slowly writing down all the things wrong with the bike so that I can get them all fixed at the same time by a bike shop I've finally found I can probably trust. Here's the list so far:

1. Front wheel/brake squealing as tire rotates.
2. Both wheels do not spin freely – both have something dragging.
3. Rear brake does not engage, or engages poorly.
4. Chain rubs in front derailleur cage.
5. Cannot shift to large chainring.
6. Rear derailleur hanger is “soft” can it be replaced?
7. drop chain, install new chain tube.

My plan of action is either to:
1. Fix the bike, whhich means buying a new idler setup so I can drop the chain.
2. Sell the bike and buy a new baron, vk2, or jester
3. (and this is my current thought) have the lbs strip every single part off the frame, take it to a powdercoat shop and have it painted a super cool new color, then have the lbs put the bike back together. Just need to get some quotes before I make up my mind. The pwdercoating will be 125 bucks - not sure what they'll charge for the labor. I just dropped 2 grand on a new upright from them, so perhaps they'll cut me a deal.

Rear derailleur hanger is “soft” can it be replaced?


yes it can be replaced. you can order directly from Optima.

http://www.recumbentparts.com/main.html?c=10&k=469884188&b=949032472&t=5^Frameparts^^&e=22

Yeah. If I decide to get it fixed locally then I've got to order that and a new idler assembly before fixing it. I Will have a bike - I'm just not sure what or when.

If you replace the main power idler, don't get the Optima one. That's just a hard plastic pulley. Get a Greenspeed idler from Hostelshoppe, or, a better quality solution would be the one from Terracycle (http://www.terracycle.com/parts.htm) . I've had no problems with my Greenspeed idler, and it's 3 years old. It's too bad you don't live closer. We could probably tune that puppy up in an afternoon and be riding the next day.

I see that Optima has just announced its lineup of lightened bikes. The new xlow (Baron) weighs 22 pounds, is made from heat treated aluminum, and doesn't have a weight limit on it. Only comes in Black, though... :(

a bike shop I've finally found I can probably trust.



Which shop are you going to use??

If you replace the main power idler, don't get the Optima one. That's just a hard plastic pulley. Get a Greenspeed idler from Hostelshoppe, or, a better quality solution would be the one from Terracycle (http://www.terracycle.com/parts.htm) . I've had no problems with my Greenspeed idler, and it's 3 years old. It's too bad you don't live closer. We could probably tune that puppy up in an afternoon and be riding the next day.

I see that Optima has just announced its lineup of lightened bikes. The new xlow (Baron) weighs 22 pounds, is made from heat treated aluminum, and doesn't have a weight limit on it. Only comes in Black, though... :(


Hmm, I'm free the last weekend in May :) Or the weekend of Cinco de Mayo, since its a holiday at the school I teach.

I plan on getting the one that...?Don?... makes from the baron forum. I think it uses the terracycle setup. I wonder what the new xlow will cost? :)

Well, my only choices are the bikes inc in bedford, or Richardson Bike mart. Everybody else, including other bike's inc have taken my money and left me with other problems.

Well, my only choices are the bikes inc in bedford, or Richardson Bike mart. Everybody else, including other bike's inc have taken my money and left me with other problems.

You may want to talk with the guys at Colonel's Bike Shop on University Dr next to the TCU Bookstore. Small and mainly service oriented shop. They don't specifically deal in bents, but they seem to be pretty knowledgeable and have done good work for me.