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Anybody own a "Grasshopper"??

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Anybody own a "Grasshopper"??

Old 12-22-05, 11:54 AM
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Anybody own a "Grasshopper"??

Hello all,

Wondering if anyone has experience with an HP Velotechnik grasshopper.

If you have, would you mind sharing your experience??

I'm looking pretty seriously at one of these and if I could get some feedback from other owners, I'd sure appreciate it.

Rik
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Old 01-18-06, 12:57 AM
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My brother in Germany does but while he loves chatting about recumbents he's a bit over worked right now. I'll ask him to reply on occasion.
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Old 01-22-06, 03:06 PM
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Hello,

Grasshopper eh? I have one and have enjoyed it very much for a little over a year so far. Its the first recumbent bike I've really ridden, so I can't make lots of comparisons. Its a bit low to the ground which I thought would make learning to ride easier. The angle of the seat can change the aerodynamics quite a bit, being low to the ground may also help in that regard. Of course you have to be careful in traffic for that reason, but generally people pay a lot of attention to the bike.

The full suspension is great, I went for the rear air shock. The bike isn't exactly super light, but not too heavy overall given how nice the suspension is. I like the fact that the wheels are the same size, and feel this helps with weighting the wheels evenly and performance. The smaller wheel will be slightly more affected by bumpy terrain, gravel, sand. The suspension handles noticable bumps, and tire pressure is more of a factor in overall speed I think so I keep the tire pressure up. The steering is sensitive but you get used to it. The compact size of the bike, besides looking rather cute, is generally very convenient for storage, bike racks, and offers sporty manuverability and tight steering in dense areas which can be handy. Probably the most comfortable thing I sit on all day. I rode about 1400 miles last season and am looking forward to the next.
So yeah if I had ridden recumbent bikes with larger wheels I may have viewed the grasshopper as less efficient for touring. On the other hand I don't have that experience yet so if there is a difference in performance I am not aware of it. Besides, relative to an upright bike the performance is simply more efficient, much faster, total comfort, no pain or stress. It reminds me of those sleds they ride in Tron.

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Old 01-22-06, 04:09 PM
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Hey, thanks recliner,

I did already buy the Grasshopper back in December. Of course, as soon as I did that, winter set in with a vengence ...... well, maybe not a vengence, but it snowed and now the roads won't dry up so I can get out and ride. I am glad to hear, from the sound of what you say that my expectations for this bike were about right.

Went to the Minneapolis boat show yesterday. Ended up at a bike shop (Calhoun Cycle) afterwards. I couldn't seem to find anything to spend money on at the boat show, so I bought another recumbent on the way home. Not sure which is more addicting, boats or bikes
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Downtube VIII FS folder - his .... 2 - Strida3 folders - his n' hers .... HP Velotechnik Grasshopper - his .... Burley Hep Cat - hers .... Whiz Wheels TT Cruiser W/velo kit - his
.
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.
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