OLD GRANDAD

A couple weeks ago I was test riding recumbents an hour or so from home to determine if I would like one. I returned to my LBS to see if he had sources for any of the brands I was interested in. My LBS does not sell recumbents normally, although he had sold some a few years back. The owner of the shop told me of a customer who had purchased a recumbent from him in 2004, but had never ridden it much. The owner of the recumbent had mentioned he would like to sell it.

The shop owner looked up the phone number and called the customer, asking if the bike was still for sale.
It was, and he handed me the phone. 45 minutes later, I was talking to the owner and looking at the bike. He had ridden it a couple hundred miles, but said he never felt comfortable on it, and it sat in his garage since 2004. He offered to let me take the bike home and ride it a week or so to see if I liked it. We only live a few miles apart. I gladly accepted his offer and rode it that evening and next day. I called him that night and told him I would take the bike and would pay him the following morning. It was a great buy!

The bike is a Vision 50 Series SWB. I seem to be getting the hang of it. I rode it 51 miles last Thursday. I have never ridden in more comfort than on that bike. It is great. I will try and attach a photo.

fthomas

Nice bike ah? recumbent.

They are neat looking and I hope you enjoy it. I'll have to have a go at one sometime.

FarHorizon

I never cottoned to my SWB 'bent. I'm glad you liked yours, Old Grandad! The steering was the thing I never felt comfortable with - the bike always felt about a twitch away from being out of control. Maybe it was because the bike was my first recumbent, maybe it was because I wasn't wild about having my feet up so high, maybe it was just because I'm too used to diamond frame bike feel and ride... In any case, my recumbent is now on e-Bay, looking for a good home.

I'm so glad you like yours - those who get over the initial hump of acclimation seem to LOVE their 'bents. I wish you many happy miles with that new bike (quite a nice looker, by the way!).

NOS88

Nothing like finding a good deal. Congrats on the new ride!

rguysailing

I've been bent for 3 years now. Started with a trike then move to a LWB just bought a SWB bent and the performance is great. It takes a little getting use to but its fun. I guess the only thing I would change on your bike is the handle bar, get a RANS B-37 and the comfort will increase 10 fold. I had the type you have and the B-37 lowers the hands a little bit and are more adjustable.

Safe riding

BlazingPedals

I love both of my bents. I have the feeling you're going to love yours, too. Congrats!

Trsnrtr

I was a died in the wool upright rider for 22 years, logging over 120,000 miles on high end bikes. Campy, Italian, tubulars, USCF racing, time trialing, etc, etc, etc. Then circumstances led me to recumbents, those evil ugly machines that I use to sneer at and make fun of. Anyway, once I found out that modern recumbents can be fast and light, I never went back to uprights.

Have fun!

Dennis

bobkat

Congratulaions on the bent! I've been riding a bent for almost 2 years now. Except for VERY steep hills, I can hang with or blow by the DF's, except for the young racing types. . I have a LWB, but must try out a SWB/highbb like your vision one of these days. So far I've shied away as there looked to me to be a bit of a learning curve, but one of these days.......

nedgoudy

Congratulations!

I have an EZ-1 Sun Easy Racer, (CLWB)
a Lightning Thunderbolt (SWB) and I
just bought and received 3 weeks
ago, a Rhoades Car 4 wheel drive
recumbent vehicle.

I swear by the recumbents.
They solved my pain problems
when riding bikes. Now, I just
ride in comfort. :O)

Enjoy the ride!

oilfreeandhappy

I also bought a used recumbent this summer, and I'm really enjoying the ride. I never did much touring, but I liked it so much, that I've gone on a 500-mile tour and a 250-mile tour this summer! Both were in the mountains. It's a Bike-E. It's nothing fancy, and not super fast, but I can load it up with my camping gear, food, clothing, water, etc; and it still handles great. And although it's supposed to be a weakness of a Bent, I was surprised at how well I can climb mountains with it.

Sandwarrior

Crongratulations on your new "Ride". I started in April with my Bacchetta Agio (LWB). I will never go back either. No neck, wrist, or butt pain anymore. I still can't equal what I did on my DF going up hills on my bent, but overall, my average and cruising speeds are already exceeding the best I ever did on my DF. Have fun

Bud Bent

Congrats on the recumbent. I've been riding one for two years and love it so much I just upgraded to a Bacchetta Corsa. Enjoy the ride.

OLD GRANDAD

Thanks everyone. I am enjoying it more every time I ride.