Performer Recumbent Trike JC-20AL Any one has experience with it?
07-14-15, 03:05 AM
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Performer Recumbent Trike JC-20AL Any one has experience with it?
I'm looking for a trike for touring. Performer from Taiwan has caught my attention, but I know nothing about a recumbent. Any help will be much appreciated. Thanks.
07-14-15, 07:24 AM
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I Dont have a JC20al. I have the Performer Trike E. Here is a short ride report I wrote shortly after getting it:
well, here it is, I rode it about 2.5 miles yesterday and then returned home and adjusted the toe-in.
Today I rode about 25 miles. I am noticeably faster than I am on an upright; but a bit slower than I am on the bacchetta. I can easily see this becoming my tour bike (which is good, that is what I got it for). I notice that I am comfortable just looking around on this trike.
I am glad I didn't spend money of full suspension, it felt fine, if a bit twitchy. I think a lot of that is just getting used to USS. The only thing I think I would reconsider was deciding to go with a non-folder. I think a folder would have been a better idea, the trike is big.
Th performer comes without instructions; but assembling a bicycle is a pretty obvious procedure. one thug is the to get the boom in far enough for me to ride it (5'6") i had to also loosen the cruciform bolts. While it was a nuisance to do it, I see it as a benefit, the boom is not going to come loose under normal operating conditions.
he only other thing is that properly fitting a rack is going to be a challenge. Yes, I have a rack in the picture; but it is a cheap one and it is poorly attached. The problem with the rack attachment is that the seat stay is only about 3" above the chain stay; so the rack hard point is nowhere near the point most racks are built to attach to. I posted a picture of this problem in the touring sub forum.
Here is a picture, todays ride was from Kansas to Oklahoma (not so impressive if you realized where, in Kansas, I am.
Today I rode about 25 miles. I am noticeably faster than I am on an upright; but a bit slower than I am on the bacchetta. I can easily see this becoming my tour bike (which is good, that is what I got it for). I notice that I am comfortable just looking around on this trike.
I am glad I didn't spend money of full suspension, it felt fine, if a bit twitchy. I think a lot of that is just getting used to USS. The only thing I think I would reconsider was deciding to go with a non-folder. I think a folder would have been a better idea, the trike is big.
Th performer comes without instructions; but assembling a bicycle is a pretty obvious procedure. one thug is the to get the boom in far enough for me to ride it (5'6") i had to also loosen the cruciform bolts. While it was a nuisance to do it, I see it as a benefit, the boom is not going to come loose under normal operating conditions.
he only other thing is that properly fitting a rack is going to be a challenge. Yes, I have a rack in the picture; but it is a cheap one and it is poorly attached. The problem with the rack attachment is that the seat stay is only about 3" above the chain stay; so the rack hard point is nowhere near the point most racks are built to attach to. I posted a picture of this problem in the touring sub forum.
Here is a picture, todays ride was from Kansas to Oklahoma (not so impressive if you realized where, in Kansas, I am.
07-14-15, 07:41 AM
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I hope this thread gets several replys as I am interested also. I do find it interesting that Robert C finds the tadpole faster than his DF. Opposite of most opinions. Speed is not my objective anyhow but comment is interesting.
07-19-15, 04:59 PM
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You can read a review on the Performer Trike-X here: 'BentRider Online» Blog Archive » Performer Trike-X. It may give you an idea about the overall quality of the trikes the company builds. The weight for the JC-20AL model is 40 pounds which is better than a lot of entry level trikes at the upper end of entry level price.
Are you prepared to assemble the trike and set the toe-in on the front wheels? I bought my first trike unassembled from Terrtrike and while assembly wasn't rocket science, setting the toe-in required me to make my own tool. Ditto for the Catrike 700 I now ride. There are youtube instructions for this operation and perhaps instructions in the assembly packet with the trike. Earlier versions of this trike had no US support once you bought the trike but now RBR recumbents in PA has assistance for the buyers. You don't specify which version 27 or 30 speed you are considering. Both say a mesh seat but the more expensive version shows a hard shell seat. I personally wouldn't buy a trike with a hard shell seat if you ride in a warm place as it traps the moisture behind your back. If you live in a hilly area, spending the extra bucks for a wider gear range would make sense. It also mentions import duties which you have to pay before receiving the trike. I'd ask RBR sales@rbr.info about the duties before you order the trike.
The other thought is that the higher priced version is getting pretty close to what people are asking for used Catrikes which have a much wider distribution system and a lot of used ones for sale. You might be lucky to find one close to you listed at Bentrider Trikes For Sale - BentRider Online Forums
Oh, BTW Robert C is probably the first person who I have encountered who is faster on a trike than on a conventional bike or on a two-wheeled recumbent. Not me, and I have been riding trikes for 12 years.
Are you prepared to assemble the trike and set the toe-in on the front wheels? I bought my first trike unassembled from Terrtrike and while assembly wasn't rocket science, setting the toe-in required me to make my own tool. Ditto for the Catrike 700 I now ride. There are youtube instructions for this operation and perhaps instructions in the assembly packet with the trike. Earlier versions of this trike had no US support once you bought the trike but now RBR recumbents in PA has assistance for the buyers. You don't specify which version 27 or 30 speed you are considering. Both say a mesh seat but the more expensive version shows a hard shell seat. I personally wouldn't buy a trike with a hard shell seat if you ride in a warm place as it traps the moisture behind your back. If you live in a hilly area, spending the extra bucks for a wider gear range would make sense. It also mentions import duties which you have to pay before receiving the trike. I'd ask RBR sales@rbr.info about the duties before you order the trike.
The other thought is that the higher priced version is getting pretty close to what people are asking for used Catrikes which have a much wider distribution system and a lot of used ones for sale. You might be lucky to find one close to you listed at Bentrider Trikes For Sale - BentRider Online Forums
Oh, BTW Robert C is probably the first person who I have encountered who is faster on a trike than on a conventional bike or on a two-wheeled recumbent. Not me, and I have been riding trikes for 12 years.
07-20-15, 10:10 PM
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I will point out that, due to several injuries, I find conventional bikes to be terribly painful. For about he first five miles I am faster on the conventional bike; but after about ten miles I might be pushing that same bike. My fastest bike, for anything over ten miles, is my bacchetta recumbent.
The trike is a lot slower than the bacchetta.
The trike is a lot slower than the bacchetta.
12-08-17, 03:03 PM
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I recently bought a like new Performer - assembled but never ridden, by a person who bought it to help with his stroke rehab. Unfortunately, the person could not ride it. Not sure what model it is. Very similar to yours. Fenders, but no rack as the newest have. Person thought it might be found eventually and sent to me. Got it shortly before Thanksgiving. Rode it a couple of miles the first two days, then have ridden 6 miles, 8 miles, then 10. Love it. Fenders are rattly and cheap. Think one pedal was cross threaded - had to put it back on and still looks wrong, but wouldn't go on any other way. How's your experience?
01-05-18, 12:31 PM
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I recently bought a like new Performer - assembled but never ridden, by a person who bought it to help with his stroke rehab. Unfortunately, the person could not ride it. Not sure what model it is. Very similar to yours. Fenders, but no rack as the newest have. Person thought it might be found eventually and sent to me. Got it shortly before Thanksgiving. Rode it a couple of miles the first two days, then have ridden 6 miles, 8 miles, then 10. Love it. Fenders are rattly and cheap. Think one pedal was cross threaded - had to put it back on and still looks wrong, but wouldn't go on any other way. How's your experience?
Trike fenders can only attach on one side, usually, so they may be rattly. Make sure everything is as tight as possible. There are, of course, 'better fenders', on the aftermarket but in my experience with Performer products (bikes) I have been satisfied with the quality of the components and accessories that they source.
