Need Advice on Next Recumbent
08-16-07, 12:06 AM
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Silicon Valley, CA
Posts: 15
Bikes: BikeE recumbent, Bridgestone MB
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Need Advice on Next Recumbent
Hi,
I've happily ridden a BikeE RX for a number of years now. I'm thinking about upgrading to something faster, lighter, but still very comfortable. I like the rear shock on my RX, and the very comfortable, fairly upright riding position.
If money were no object, what would you recommend?
If money is an issue, what would you recommend?
Thanks for the feedback. BTW, I am in the SF Bay area, so if any of the recommendation can be ridden locally, that would be good.
I've happily ridden a BikeE RX for a number of years now. I'm thinking about upgrading to something faster, lighter, but still very comfortable. I like the rear shock on my RX, and the very comfortable, fairly upright riding position.
If money were no object, what would you recommend?
If money is an issue, what would you recommend?
Thanks for the feedback. BTW, I am in the SF Bay area, so if any of the recommendation can be ridden locally, that would be good.
08-16-07, 11:11 AM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Encinitas CA
Posts: 865
Bikes: Scott CR1 Team
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I was going to recommend a Stratus XP, but if you're in the SF Bay area, I think you need something that's a bit better up the hills.
08-22-07, 01:15 PM
#3
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 6
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Honestly, I had the most sucess on hills riding my recumbent trike. You can get an inexpensive WizWheelz trike that's very comfortable and with a Trike, you can stop on a hill without ever taking your feet off the pedals. Just a thought.
08-22-07, 02:19 PM
#4
Ride more, eat less
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Philla PA, Hoboken NJ, Brooklyn NY
Posts: 2,070
Bikes: Too many but never enough.
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 713 Post(s)
Liked 733 Times
in
450 Posts
Let's get a few more details on your needs to better make suggestions:
How much riding have you been doing on your BikeE? more or less than 50 mile per week? more or less than 100 miles a week?
What's the percentage of your riding is uphill? closer to 20% or 60%?
What is your budget for this next bike of yours? below $2000 or $4000 and above?
What's so comfortable about your BikeE? you like the seat vs pedal postion (high B/B or low) or the handlebar vs seat position (OSS vs USS)? You like the seat (hardshell, padded or mesh)? give more details.
What's your available storage space for this next bike? Have you got plenty of room to maneuver when this bike is parked?
Let's say your BikeE weighs approx. 30 lb., if you're looking for faster and lighter options, a trike is not going to be any faster nor lighter than you current BikeE.
How much riding have you been doing on your BikeE? more or less than 50 mile per week? more or less than 100 miles a week?
What's the percentage of your riding is uphill? closer to 20% or 60%?
What is your budget for this next bike of yours? below $2000 or $4000 and above?
What's so comfortable about your BikeE? you like the seat vs pedal postion (high B/B or low) or the handlebar vs seat position (OSS vs USS)? You like the seat (hardshell, padded or mesh)? give more details.
What's your available storage space for this next bike? Have you got plenty of room to maneuver when this bike is parked?
Let's say your BikeE weighs approx. 30 lb., if you're looking for faster and lighter options, a trike is not going to be any faster nor lighter than you current BikeE.
Hi,
I've happily ridden a BikeE RX for a number of years now. I'm thinking about upgrading to something faster, lighter, but still very comfortable. I like the rear shock on my RX, and the very comfortable, fairly upright riding position.
If money were no object, what would you recommend?
If money is an issue, what would you recommend?
Thanks for the feedback. BTW, I am in the SF Bay area, so if any of the recommendation can be ridden locally, that would be good.
I've happily ridden a BikeE RX for a number of years now. I'm thinking about upgrading to something faster, lighter, but still very comfortable. I like the rear shock on my RX, and the very comfortable, fairly upright riding position.
If money were no object, what would you recommend?
If money is an issue, what would you recommend?
Thanks for the feedback. BTW, I am in the SF Bay area, so if any of the recommendation can be ridden locally, that would be good.
08-22-07, 02:35 PM
#5
Senior Member
Easy Racers is in Freedom, Ca near Watsonville. Not sure if you can buy from the factory.
Spin cyclz is in Petaluma.
Zach Kaplan is in Alameda.
https://www.spincyclz.com/index.html
https://www.easyracers.com/
https://sanfrancisco.citysearch.com/p...rand=smx_yp-nc
Spin cyclz is in Petaluma.
Zach Kaplan is in Alameda.
https://www.spincyclz.com/index.html
https://www.easyracers.com/
https://sanfrancisco.citysearch.com/p...rand=smx_yp-nc
08-22-07, 03:17 PM
#6
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Silicon Valley, CA
Posts: 15
Bikes: BikeE recumbent, Bridgestone MB
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
See my responses below.
I DON'T HAVE ANY INTEREST IN A TRIKE. I'D LIKE SOMETHING 24-25 LBS. WITH 20" TIRES AND LOW ROLLING RESISTANCE.
Let's get a few more details on your needs to better make suggestions:
How much riding have you been doing on your BikeE? more or less than 50 mile per week? more or less than 100 miles a week? TYPICALLY 20-30 MILES
What's the percentage of your riding is uphill? closer to 20% or 60%? 10-20%
What is your budget for this next bike of yours? below $2000 or $4000 and above? BELOW $2000
What's so comfortable about your BikeE? you like the seat vs pedal postion (high B/B or low) or the handlebar vs seat position (OSS vs USS)? You like the seat (hardshell, padded or mesh)? give more details. I LIKE THE MESH BAG, AND PADDED BOTTOM, I LIKE THE UPRIGHT POSITION, AND I LIKE THE LOWER PEDAL POSITION.
What's your available storage space for this next bike? Have you got plenty of room to maneuver when this bike is parked? YES.
Let's say your BikeE weighs approx. 30 lb., if you're looking for faster and lighter options, a trike is not going to be any faster nor lighter than you current BikeE.
How much riding have you been doing on your BikeE? more or less than 50 mile per week? more or less than 100 miles a week? TYPICALLY 20-30 MILES
What's the percentage of your riding is uphill? closer to 20% or 60%? 10-20%
What is your budget for this next bike of yours? below $2000 or $4000 and above? BELOW $2000
What's so comfortable about your BikeE? you like the seat vs pedal postion (high B/B or low) or the handlebar vs seat position (OSS vs USS)? You like the seat (hardshell, padded or mesh)? give more details. I LIKE THE MESH BAG, AND PADDED BOTTOM, I LIKE THE UPRIGHT POSITION, AND I LIKE THE LOWER PEDAL POSITION.
What's your available storage space for this next bike? Have you got plenty of room to maneuver when this bike is parked? YES.
Let's say your BikeE weighs approx. 30 lb., if you're looking for faster and lighter options, a trike is not going to be any faster nor lighter than you current BikeE.
08-22-07, 04:28 PM
#7
Senior Member
I think you ruled out the "if money is an issue" category by using the 24-25 LBS weight range of the bike, plus the 20" tires. The bikes with those size tires are mostly close to 30 pounds, although many of them can be ridden at fast speeds. Before you rule out a 'bent with a 26" rear tire, I suggest you contact the links in my post above and test ride as many as you can. Spin Cyclz has a test ride program where you demo a bike for a week.
08-23-07, 07:59 AM
#8
Ride more, eat less
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Philla PA, Hoboken NJ, Brooklyn NY
Posts: 2,070
Bikes: Too many but never enough.
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 713 Post(s)
Liked 733 Times
in
450 Posts
Well, based on your preliminary answers, you're looking for two 20" wheels recumbent with low B/B height, under 25 lb. and cost under $2000.
BTW, when I asked about the parking situation, not only in your residence but also where you might visit with your bike, some people like a compact bike to easily maneuver or fit onto buses/ferries/trains, etc.. longer wheelbase recumbents may have difficulty maneuvering in tight spaces in those situations.
BTW, when I asked about the parking situation, not only in your residence but also where you might visit with your bike, some people like a compact bike to easily maneuver or fit onto buses/ferries/trains, etc.. longer wheelbase recumbents may have difficulty maneuvering in tight spaces in those situations.
See my responses below.
How much riding have you been doing on your BikeE? more or less than 50 mile per week? more or less than 100 miles a week?
TYPICALLY 20-30 MILES
What's the percentage of your riding is uphill? closer to 20% or 60%?
10-20%
What is your budget for this next bike of yours? below $2000 or $4000 and above?
BELOW $2000
What's so comfortable about your BikeE? you like the seat vs pedal postion (high B/B or low) or the handlebar vs seat position (OSS vs USS)? You like the seat (hardshell, padded or mesh)? give more details.
I LIKE THE MESH BAG, AND PADDED BOTTOM, I LIKE THE UPRIGHT POSITION, AND I LIKE THE LOWER PEDAL POSITION.
What's your available storage space for this next bike? Have you got plenty of room to maneuver when this bike is parked?
YES.
I DON'T HAVE ANY INTEREST IN A TRIKE. I'D LIKE SOMETHING 24-25 LBS. WITH 20" TIRES AND LOW ROLLING RESISTANCE.
How much riding have you been doing on your BikeE? more or less than 50 mile per week? more or less than 100 miles a week?
TYPICALLY 20-30 MILES
What's the percentage of your riding is uphill? closer to 20% or 60%?
10-20%
What is your budget for this next bike of yours? below $2000 or $4000 and above?
BELOW $2000
What's so comfortable about your BikeE? you like the seat vs pedal postion (high B/B or low) or the handlebar vs seat position (OSS vs USS)? You like the seat (hardshell, padded or mesh)? give more details.
I LIKE THE MESH BAG, AND PADDED BOTTOM, I LIKE THE UPRIGHT POSITION, AND I LIKE THE LOWER PEDAL POSITION.
What's your available storage space for this next bike? Have you got plenty of room to maneuver when this bike is parked?
YES.
I DON'T HAVE ANY INTEREST IN A TRIKE. I'D LIKE SOMETHING 24-25 LBS. WITH 20" TIRES AND LOW ROLLING RESISTANCE.
Last edited by cat0020; 08-23-07 at 08:09 AM.
08-23-07, 08:08 AM
#9
Ride more, eat less
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Philla PA, Hoboken NJ, Brooklyn NY
Posts: 2,070
Bikes: Too many but never enough.
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 713 Post(s)
Liked 733 Times
in
450 Posts
So, to lower the rolling resistance, you should consider larger diameter wheels or at lease larger diameter rear wheel.
With low B/B height and more upright riding position, you are limiting your power output to mostly your legs. The futher you recline (to a point) you are able to use your back muscles (and body weight) more for the pedaling motion, hence the lowracer riding postition.. not just for aerodynamics.
so, you might also want to consider trying some 'bents that offer more recline to the back of seat.
Under 25 lb. and $2000, I think that could be more difficult to find but not impossible.. used bikes might be more likely.
08-23-07, 09:47 AM
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
Mentioned: Post(s)
Tagged: Thread(s)
Quoted: Post(s)
Come on down!
Front to back;
Greenspeed GTX
Challenge Hurricane (dual 20" wheels!)
BikeE
Tour Easy
Greenspeed GTT (tandem)
Thebis (not in 1st picture)
08-23-07, 12:18 PM
#11
del dot
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Santa Cruz CA
Posts: 211
Bikes: Tour Easy
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
Easy Racers is in Freedom, Ca near Watsonville. Not sure if you can buy from the factory.
https://www.easyracers.com/
https://www.easyracers.com/
Android, since you're nearby in Silicon Valley, I would suggest you stop by the Easy Racers factory and let them show you their bikes before you make your decision.
08-23-07, 06:36 PM
#12
Senior Member
A RANS Rocket could probably be tricked out with Thracian wheels and a Euromesh or carbon hardshell seat, for around two grand. Shod with Stelvios, it might be close to the 25 pound mark. There's a lot of room to lose weight when the stock seat weighs 7 pounds! Does Kelvin Clark at Angletech still specialize in custom builds? The pedals would be higher, but then the Bike-E didn't have very low pedals anyway.
08-23-07, 09:38 PM
#13
lowracer ninja master
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 912
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
you could always contact rick gritters and get a custom built 20/20 design. I'm sure rick would build whatever seat angle you wanted.
here's a 20/20 gritters lowracer
here's a 20/20 gritters lowracer
08-24-07, 06:44 AM
#14
Super Modest
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Central Illinois
Posts: 23,465
Bikes: Trek Emonda, Giant Propel, Colnago V3, Co-Motion Supremo, ICE VTX WC
Mentioned: 107 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10963 Post(s)
Liked 4,618 Times
in
2,122 Posts
__________________
Keep the chain tight!
