bjjoondo 

My wife is NOT a strong rider, 8 mph. seems to be her best "avg. speed" overall, now she is riding a VERY entry level bent, (2010 Sun EZ-1 SX), but she is a "small" person, overall.

5'0" tall, 26 inch inseam, barely-36 inch X-seam, she has short legs and short arms, we want to "upgrade" her bent in March 2012. The thing is, I'm thinking because of her "overall" size, she'd do better overall on a Short Wheelbase Bent, she's a very weak climber, even with the "26 tooth chainwheel and 32 tooth cog", set up on her current EZ-1. I have the "same" bike/set up on my "back up/utility" bent, (Sun EZ-1) and I can "climb" hills a lot easier than she.

Are the SWB's really better at climbing than the LWB's, if so we'd be looking at either:

Rans: SM (frame) V-Rex LE
or
Bachetta: SM/STD (frame) Giro 20

As her "upgrade", these two SWB's fit within our budget, wish I could afford more but I can't.

Otherwise, we will be looking at LWB's:

Rans: Stratus LE
or
Bachetta: Bella

Since she's 100lbs. lighter than myself, the weight limit on the SWB's isn't a problem but she like the "ride and feel" of her current, "CLWB" EZ-1. Any suggestions, comments, etc. are very appreciated!

Take care, Ride Safe, have FUN!

kennytb

First question: Can you get to a place to test ride a few different recumbents? Making decisions based on our opinions is 'iffy' since everyone has a bias.
Second question: I think that weight of bike is really important when it comes to climbing. Recumbents as a group have a great theoretical aerodynamic advantage once you get moving (15 mph or faster). That will help on long rides. However, they have a real weight disadvantage at any speed uphill.
I anticipate that if the engineers who read this board answer your query, they will also discuss stiffness of the vehicle.
My suggestion is to consider the Giro 20. You may also get good information at www.Bentrideronline.com
Good Luck! Good Ride!

JanMM

V-Rex and Giro 20 are both great bikes. I was ready to buy one or the other 3 years ago and decided on the Rex because there would have been a delay for Giro delivery. No test ride on either. I, too, agree that test rides are advisable but sometimes that is not easily done.
Higher BB bikes like the Rex take some getting used to, compared to your Sun models or the Stratus, but are not that different/difficult.
I can't say which of my bents climbs better - the LWB V3 or the SWB V-Rex. The steering is slightly steadier at very low speeds on the Rex. Haven't heard that to be an issue on a lower-BB LWB bikes like the Stratus.

cat0020

LWB usually weigh more, doesn't that hinder climbing ability in the first place?

Does the wife have short legs? My wife is 4'11", I put 147mm cranks on her recumbent, 160 mm cranks so she would have easier time spinning instead of mashing the gear.

AlexZ

Before doing anything have her try to ride a SWB. There is a balance and start issue which some people with short legs may not be comfortable with on a SWB.

BlazingPedals

Generally, SWBs work better for those with longer legs. SWB will be taller than a LWB, and it will be a longer reach to the pedals (to reach the far side of the front wheel.) I'd upgrade to a better LWB.

JanMM

My SWB and LWB weigh about the same but I think that most LWBs are heavier than mine.

Northwestrider

+1

bjjoondo 

Thanks everyone, yes we do have a local Bent Store, (Angletech), the problem is that they don't seem to keep the more "entry" level bent's, (either LWB or SWB) in their fleet of "demo" machines. I saw several of the "upscale" machines but not a V-Rex LE or a Bacchetta Giro 20 and neither the Stratus LE or the Bella. They seem to "shy away" from entry level bents, except for Trikes where they have several entry level Terra Trikes. Hopefully we can find something that is semi-close she can test ride, I've sent an e-mail to Allen B. (sales person) about what they might have in "demos" that would be close.

I will make sure she get's to ride both a LWB and SWB before we buy her upgrade bent, no matter if we have to "RENT" a car, (we don't own a car) and drive up to Denver to check out the Bent dealers in that area. Again, thanks, it's appreciated!

bjjoondo 

Yes, my wife has barely a "26 inch inseam" and is barely 5'0" tall, I've heard lot's of folks talk about "shorter cranks" on trikes but never on R-Bikes so we will have to look into the idea of "shorter" cranks to help her spin better, thanks!

bjjoondo 

I should ask, are their any "CLWB's", that would be a better "hill climber" in the bent market?? Would say 2-20 inch wheels make hills easier for her, than her current, 16/20 combo?? Hills are her real problem, IF she could climb hills easier, then I'm sure her overall speed would increase a bit as she's much closer to me, pace wise on the flats, again thanks!

rnorris

This. I'm a 5' 3" guy and have tried SWB's from Lightning, Vision, RANS, and Actionbent, and none have worked out for me. Some people aren't bothered by raising up on tiptoe at stops, but I found it tiring for my stop and go commute. The only two SWBs I have been comfortable enough on to own (a P-38 and a Vision R40) both had 16" front wheels, which I found not to my liking for rough roads and night riding. Other than the Vision, which I'm selling, I'm riding my Gold Rush pretty much exclusively. I did try the Giro 20 but even it was a bit high for my short legs.

rydabent

As some have said, SWB bikes may not work as well for short people. Climbing pretty much depends on the engine. Another bike you mignt want to look into is the RANS Formula. It has a little higher BB than the Stratus, an is made of Aluminiun so is a couple of pounds lighter and has a little better aero profile. Cheaper too!!

ojdash

So i guess a trike is out of the question? My wife is similar to your she is 5'3" and nd around 100lbs. She is a very slow climber and on the 2 wheel machine i had her on she fell once on a steep grade. The trike solved the climbing issue. I cycle frequently and since she is just a casual rider, she can hop on the trike and just go with me anytime. I have a Surly Big Dummy that I ride with her and the height difference is not a problem. I ended up getting a TT path with a Nexus 8 speed hub. We are in KY and she can climb all the hills around her with that gearing (around 4 - 7 mph) without too much problem. If she set on a 2 wheel bent, an swb "seemed" to be easier to control at low speeds for me (Volae Sport) but the sun LWB i have ridden up hill seemed very twitchy to me, so i can't really make a good comparison. Good luck and have her test ride some of those tikes!

gcottay

Since you have a bit of time, I suggest that your wife try a small-framed Volae Century. It's a favorite of shorter riders, especially female riders.

Retro Grouch 

I have a related question.

I climbed a couple of short but pretty steep hills on my SWB yesterday. In my 32 tooth middle ring I was only going about 5 MPH. So how fast would I have been going if I dropped into my 22 tooth granny and would I even be able to stay balanced at that speed?

rodar y rodar

For me, it helps. I`m about 5`08" with short legs relative to my towering height. In trying out my partially finished SWB, it was immediately apparent that I was going to need shorter cranks because of heel strike problems. My bent has a telescoping boom as well as f-r adjustment in the seat and with the used 175 cranks I had to begin with, I was faced with the choice between unacceptable heel strike or pushing the seat and BB so far forward that the bars were uncomfortably close to my chest. Shortening the cranks helped considerably.

To go along with what other folks have said about short legs/SWB combination, I can barely touch the ground while I`m sitting on my bike. Long red lights can get tedious with one leg stretched over the side of the seat and down. I`m sure it could be better with a different kind of seat, or I had gone with smaller wheels, but I still have to agree that short legs make for an extra challenge in fitting an SWB.

bjjoondo 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No a trike is not out of question, our problem with the trike is that we live in a 3rd. floor apt. without an elevator and 3 sharp sets of stairs so the overall SIZE of the trikes could be problem as we can't "afford" any of the folding trikes that our local Bent Shop carries. Yes, the BEST point of the R-trike seems to be, "you don't fall off it" and that would be good for my wife. If I knew someone with a R-trike, I'd ask them to let me haul it up the stairs to see if it's really a problem. LOL, of course then there's the problem of finding the funds so I could have one!

cranky old dude

Since Volae has been introduced into the discussion, and you already own a Sun EZ Sport....I think I can add my own comparison for your consideration.

As you may remember I ride a Sun EZ Sort, an Easy Racers Tour Easy, and a Volae Tour. The Tour is a 20 x 26 SWB much like the Century but with lesser components and rim brakes.

Though I thoroughly enjoy riding LWB bikes for recreation I prefer the nimble SWB Volae Tour for commuting and I find it's an awsome climber. Of the three, I think the Volae climbs better than either of the other two. What I don't know is if that is because it's a SWB, a 20 x 26 SWB, or a Volae.

I found my Volae Tour used and paid only $700.00 for it. Not bad for a Waterford frame SWB recumbent. I've already ridden over 3,000 miles on it. Check out Hostel Shoppe for all the specs and prices on new equipment. The Tour is generally around $1400 new. Rolfe and his staff can fit you over the phone if need be.

Of course, as you are well aware, pre-purchase test rides are always a must.

Retro Grouch 

Wide can be an issue too. My wife's Greenspeed is 31 inches wide so you'd think it would fit through a 32" door no problem - right? Only if the door is completely open all the way. Right now I'm waiting for a carpenter to give me a quote on replacing my 32" door with a 36" door.

bjjoondo 

Totally understand, we have a wide front door but you go into a thin'ish hallway, then a short 90 degree bend into the kitchen. The bedroom is off the hall but it's only got a small door, I doubt I could get a trike into the bedroom where we keep our R-bikes. I'd have to pick up the trike, sideways to get it thru the 90 degree, to the kitchen, that's where the trikes home would HAVE to be! LOL, I don't think the Landlord would be happy if I had half the hall closet taken out to get a 36in. door into the bedroom

Leisesturm

It very much depends. When I drop gears, my cadence increases proportionately, and (hopefully) my road speed remains the same. Only you can say whether you could remain balanced moving slower than 5 mph. For certain there is someone out there who can.

H

tctdvm

didn't really read many responses, but my wife is also 5' even and rides about 8 mph. I don't think anything will make her ride faster until she's more comfortable.
But she's really happy on the Giro 20. The first time she tried it, I had it setup with a 24" front wheel and the Recurve seat. LOTS of crank interference. Far too much for a beginner. But she did fine. Since then, I've moved to a Corsa, returned the Giro to a 20" front wheel and swapped out the Recurve for a Euromesh. She's really quite happy on it, as is her 5' 6" daughter.
I originally bought the Giro 20 for it's incredible slow speed handling.
You might upgrade to the aluminum, since the bike weight is a higher % of the total weight for someone that light. Maybe even go with rim brakes and light weight wheels like the Velocity ones.
My wife will never climb good, because she doesn't like a high cadence at all. She'll never clip in, either.

T

gcottay

Holding cadence steady you would have been going about 3 MPH and probably the only balance problems would come if you were riding such a monster hill that you ran out of power and had to begin mashing.