V2Guy

Hello

I got the V2 Bike sent to me from Hostel Shoppe and when i put the bike stem together the brake, it was set up on the 20 inch wheel was wrong, not knowing this i took the bike for a ride and i went to turn the wheel and doing so the brake lock on me.

I was thrown from the bike, if i had known ? That this bike with the regular set up brake on the fork hits at some point the top of the Brake in a turn, i never got it!!.. Or would have went with 26 in wheel with disc brake.. I lOVE this Bike ! I Hate the brake on the fork !

Bottom line is i fail to find out there is a flaw in how the braking on the V2 rans bike, and buying outdated model, thats not even being build was a risk on my part..

I never buy Online bike ever agin ! Unless i test ride it ! TEST BEFORE YOU BUY !

I hope this helps anyone thinking buying online when they see a sale on bike, be sure to test it befor you find out the problems down the road... Just because its a bargin, IT JUST might become a nightmare !
After They mail to you you, its too LATE ! Yes sending it back can cost you..



So now its going to cost me more to change out the frount wheel with disc, and reason im doing it is because the bike is worth the trouble and since im stuck with it, i just have to deal with the problem..

Anyways i just want to say im upset with myself because i fail to test this bike befor i bought it.

Anyone out there with a V2 Formula LE had this same problem with the brake hitting ?

I will be working on changing it to disc soon as i get out of the poor house, droping $1,395.00 in a bike can set you back some time..


HS Photo

JanMM

The fork hits the top of the brake in a turn?? What?? The brake is attached to the fork. Did it have something to do with cable routing? The brake cable routing in the picture you posted looks different than the V2 pics on the HS site. The HS cable goes straight up the front of the head tube. How is yours set up? The picture you posted is likely a RANS setup, with the cable going around behind the headtube and up the left side , similar to the setup on my Tailwind. You're convinced a V-brake won't work with your bike?

V2Guy

The HS cable goes straight up the front of the head tube. not like the rans photo.. doing so it catches on the turn.. even after i put the cable behind the headset at 3:00 angle the crank arm hits the top of the brake..

vik 

I've bought several bikes online without a test ride [including one from the Hostel Shoppe] and I haven't had any issues. I'd certainly recommend doing your research beforehand. If you don't buy any bike you can't test ride first you won't have a lot of recumbents or other specialty bikes to choose from.

Come to think of it, of the 7 bikes I own I was only able to test ride 2, the rest I bought on faith. The really funny thing is the two I like least are the two I was able to test ride.

I'd recommend you go to www.bentrideronline.com and post your brake problem. I wouldn't be surprised at all if there is an easy solution to your problem.

BTW - what did the Hostel Shoppe say when you told them about your problem?

V2Guy

Not sure ? If they belive me or even this was able to happen ? Belive me was no fun geting the brake cable lock up.. They are sending me a longer brake cable so im see how that does.. I have a deep cut on my knee and side of my leg is sore, other then that im ok.. What i wonder is did they even test the bike after they set up the cables ?

Thanks for help !

karterjimm

Send a couple pictures to HS to show them what the problem really is. The good people at HS would not put out any product that would put you at risk! I'm sure it is something simple and we're just missing it.

I notice the 2 pics above have different handlebar setups and the front brake on the chopper is in front and the tiller style comes in from behind. Something there maybe? I notice you can get either from HS.

vik 

+1 - if you have a digi-cam that can take video shoot a short one where you turn the bar and make the brakes lock up - that will make thing crystal clear. The folks at the Hostel Shoppe have always been very helpful.

karterjimm

Hey V2Guy,
Did you get your problem resolved?? Let us know!

twahl

Forgive me for the obvious...

I can't tell you how many times someone came into the shop with a front brake locked up, usually on a BMX bike. Spin the bars around and the problem is fixed, no charge.

Might be a simple cable routing problem that puts a bind on it when turning.

VegasTriker

This points out a fact of life. If you are not a competent bike mechanic then leave the setup to a bike shop. If you are going to spend $1,400 on a bike, what's a few more bucks to have it set up right?
Did you get a set of instructions with the bike or did you check to see if they are available online? Yes, I know, in some areas it's hard to find anyone who is familiar with recumbents. I live in one. I've set up a couple using the info from the maker or online and it always turned out well. If you don't like crashing, then perhaps you should have saved up a few more bucks and bought a good used trike. I haven't had another hematoma or road rash since I did.

BlazingPedals

The front brake cable housing sure looks like it should be run behind the steerer tube instead of straight up the starboard side, in front of the chainring. Not knowing how the bike was packed, I can't say who did the improper setup, though. Mail order isn't the same as buying direct from a local bike shop, even if the mail order shop is Hostelshoppe!

I find it strange that the OP joined our forum and posted the complaint here rather than contact either Hostelshoppe or RANS for a resolution.

karterjimm

"I find it strange that the OP joined our forum and posted the complaint here rather than contact either Hostelshoppe or RANS for a resolution."

Both of which would be more than willing to help!!! I know, I've dealt with both! They are advertisers here, so they can't be all bad.

................jim

V2Guy

I come here with a problem... Im Not trying to Bash Rans or The Hostel Shoppe !

I just wanted to let people know if there going to get this bike set up... To re-think how its set up to fix its issues !

Problem is even if i move the cable behind the headset, with the cable and hosing HS sent me, still dont fix that at some point in the turn the brake and crank arm meets..

I belive that going with Disc will mabe fix this issue ? I hope so....
I will take the V2 to a bike shop in my local town, so they can look it over an see what they can do fix this issue with the brake..

The bike is a blast and it handles Great ! I just hate how the set up for frount break..


kind Regards

Allister

It's hitting the crank? How far do you turn before it hits? If it's only hitting on the tightest turns, I'd suggest simply not pedaling through tight turns. I know I get heel strike on my Giro in tight turns if I don't stop pedaling for a few moments. It's a fact of life with some recumbents, but reasonably easy to adapt to. You can probably get rid of some of the clash by putting slightly more bend in the housing tube attached to the brake.

That said, I did have to fiddle with my front brake routing to get it to a) not rub on the chain, or, after fixing the rubbing, b) catch on the frame and squeeze the brakes together. All sweet now with a slightly longer cable.

Gary Hubbard

ueV2 guy needs to realize that the costruction of a 20" front wheel V2 does put the noodle for the front V brake in in a conflict position on hard right turns when pedaling. One quickly learns to not pedal through tight right turns. Changing to a disc wheen may help - but will make a heavier wheel, Perhaps some people have tried reversing the brake to behind the fork. Look for a brake set-up with the noodle on the left. It would be sad to lose the beauty of the V2 formula for such a small problem. Wait till you try to align a terra-cycle idler on a V2. Mother Hubbard