Recumbent Choice
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Western Pennsylvania
Posts: 5
Bikes: DiamondBack 24 Speed
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Recumbent Choice
I’ve decided to get into recumbent bicycling, and I’ve narrowed my choices down to two. The Sun EZ-1 Super Cruiser, and the ActionBent MantaRay.
My wife and I are both retired and we ride mostly on rails to trails where the grades rarely exceed 2%. We aren’t interested in speed, or high-end bikes, only exercise and comfort.
I don’t have a problem assembling the MantaRay if necessary. I’ve worked on bikes a lot over the years.
Both bikes are 24 speed, however the MantaRay has 20 and 26 inch wheels respectively, where as the EZ-1 Super Cruiser has 16 and 20 inch wheels.
If anyone has any suggestions or input, or even another brand similar to the above, I would really appreciate it.
Regards, Joe Folco
My wife and I are both retired and we ride mostly on rails to trails where the grades rarely exceed 2%. We aren’t interested in speed, or high-end bikes, only exercise and comfort.
I don’t have a problem assembling the MantaRay if necessary. I’ve worked on bikes a lot over the years.
Both bikes are 24 speed, however the MantaRay has 20 and 26 inch wheels respectively, where as the EZ-1 Super Cruiser has 16 and 20 inch wheels.
If anyone has any suggestions or input, or even another brand similar to the above, I would really appreciate it.
Regards, Joe Folco
#2
Recumbent Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Kitchener, Ontario
Posts: 2,991
Bikes: Rebel Cycles Trike, Trek 7500FX
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
All I can suggest is this: It is much easier to find replacement 20 and 26 inch wheels, than it is to find 16 inch wheels.
I don't see the "MantaRay" on Actionbent's website, is this an older model?
I don't see the "MantaRay" on Actionbent's website, is this an older model?
#3
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Western Pennsylvania
Posts: 5
Bikes: DiamondBack 24 Speed
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks for your reply.
Go to the ActionBent site, and click on "See all bike models at a glance." It's the last model down.
Go to the ActionBent site, and click on "See all bike models at a glance." It's the last model down.
#4
Luv2ridebent
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Indian Trail, NC
Posts: 30
Bikes: WhizWheelz 3.2, Quetzel Presario, Cannondale (upright)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Um, I hate to bad mouth a 'bent company, but I've heard that the customer service from Actionbent really sucks. /
#5
Tossed some weight
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Northampton, MA
Posts: 465
Bikes: '96 Specialized Rockhopper, '70's Fixed Fuji, '02 Organic Engines Troika Tandem Trike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
My dad just got a Bacchetta Café, it's a new model for 2005 which is a one size fits all. Because they don't have the different models for size they are able to bring the price down, to $1k. That might still be more than the EZ bike, but not by much, and you'll likely have much better quailty/parts with the Bacchetta, which you'll appreciate if you've worked on bikes in the past.
What ever you do, make sure you test drive before you buy anything...
What ever you do, make sure you test drive before you buy anything...
#6
Recumbent Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Kitchener, Ontario
Posts: 2,991
Bikes: Rebel Cycles Trike, Trek 7500FX
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Redrom
My dad just got a Bacchetta Café, it's a new model for 2005 which is a one size fits all. Because they don't have the different models for size they are able to bring the price down, to $1k. That might still be more than the EZ bike, but not by much, and you'll likely have much better quailty/parts with the Bacchetta, which you'll appreciate if you've worked on bikes in the past.
What ever you do, make sure you test drive before you buy anything...
What ever you do, make sure you test drive before you buy anything...
#7
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Western Pennsylvania
Posts: 5
Bikes: DiamondBack 24 Speed
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Is this a well known fact? Has anyone else heard about poor customer service from ActionBent? Also, are they good quality?
Joe Folco
Joe Folco
#8
Senior Member
Originally Posted by jrfolco
Is this a well known fact? Has anyone else heard about poor customer service from ActionBent? Also, are they good quality?
Joe Folco
Joe Folco
The guy in the US just imports them. By all reports he tries to solve little stuff like missing parts in the box or shipment damage. But he's not a bike shop and there's no support network. Actionbent is a good deal if you don't mind tinkering to make them work; otherwise I'd suggest looking elsewhere.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Southern Oregon
Posts: 208
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I did a test ride of the Bacchetta Cafe and liked it much better than my Burley Canto. I think it is a great bent for the money. Don't know much about the Actionbent but Bacchetta seems to have a good rep... Burley also makes the Jett Creek which is less money. I have friends who own the Jett Creek that are happy with it.
#10
moron
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 287
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by jrfolco
Is this a well known fact? Has anyone else heard about poor customer service from ActionBent? Also, are they good quality?
There's a yahoo forum with many posts re: pros & cons....
https://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/actionbent/
#11
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Western Pennsylvania
Posts: 5
Bikes: DiamondBack 24 Speed
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by jwa
There's a yahoo forum with many posts re: pros & cons....
https://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/actionbent/
https://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/actionbent/
#12
Recumbent Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Kitchener, Ontario
Posts: 2,991
Bikes: Rebel Cycles Trike, Trek 7500FX
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by BlazingPedals
For the most part the bikes are unpolished (in the sense of refinements the guy in China draws up plans for a bent, then makes them out of existing parts. Kind of a Frankenbike(tm); it might work or it might have problems.
The guy in the US just imports them. By all reports he tries to solve little stuff like missing parts in the box or shipment damage. But he's not a bike shop and there's no support network. Actionbent is a good deal if you don't mind tinkering to make them work; otherwise I'd suggest looking elsewhere.
The guy in the US just imports them. By all reports he tries to solve little stuff like missing parts in the box or shipment damage. But he's not a bike shop and there's no support network. Actionbent is a good deal if you don't mind tinkering to make them work; otherwise I'd suggest looking elsewhere.
#13
Senior Member
Originally Posted by jeff-o
Does that mean that one could import an "Actionbent" directly from China (actually, it's Taiwan") and bypass the middleman? I was under the impression that they were only manufactured in Taiwan, and designed here. Hmmm.
#14
Recumbent Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Kitchener, Ontario
Posts: 2,991
Bikes: Rebel Cycles Trike, Trek 7500FX
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by BlazingPedals
The manufacturer is China Mascot, and they offer a pretty wide assortment of bents. Actionbent only imports a few models. I'm not real close to this, but I think the importer's name is Randy... Randy may make a suggestion but he doesn't design them. Could you import your own and bypass Randy? Sure, if you wanted to meet the minimum order, and deal with Customs yourself, and provide your own warranty support after the sale.
EDIT: I sent an email to the OEM of these things, so hopefully they'll reply with some info on minimum orders, prices, etc. I wonder if my wife would let me become a Canadian distributor? Hmmm...
Last edited by jeff-o; 10-07-05 at 08:31 AM.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,268
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 118 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 50 Times
in
25 Posts
I have a Sun EZ-Sport and love it. It is slower than regular bikes because of the 26" rear tire. Not enough to bother me because I ride for the workout, not for speed. My concern would be that the 20" rear tire on the EZ-1 SC would really be too slow. Ride one before you buy. bk
#16
Approaching Nirvana
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Tomah, WI
Posts: 1,223
Bikes: Catrike Expedition
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by bkaapcke
I have a Sun EZ-Sport and love it. It is slower than regular bikes because of the 26" rear tire. Not enough to bother me because I ride for the workout, not for speed. My concern would be that the 20" rear tire on the EZ-1 SC would really be too slow. Ride one before you buy. bk
__________________
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits."
-- Albert Einstein
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits."
-- Albert Einstein