Well, technically I scored a Rans V-Rex for a hundred bucks. Here's the story...

A few years ago, I bought a Baldor tool grinder for $100. It was pathetically dirty and gross from misuse and lack of use. I retired last year, and like many retirees do, I've been "reducing my footprint," or getting rid of stuff just hanging around, gathering dust and taking up space. So a couple weeks ago, I pulled that old grinder out and completely disassembled it. I bead-blasted the housing and the trays and all the related parts, repainting them in the original machinery grey.

After installing new wiring, and a new cord, it was good as new.

Now, I know some of you may have heard this before, but I'm a life-long machinist, aircraft mechanic, and student of all things mechanical. The refurb was cake. I decided that I'd like to buy a new Wahoo Elemnt bike computer, so what better way that to get it with some cash that I got from a Craigslist deal? So I put it up for sale on CL.

Some guy calls me and wants it, and was only ten minutes away. For once, I didn't have someone coming from somewhere across New England - he was in the next town! Nice!

Anyway, he comes over and wants it. We got to talking and all of a sudden I could see the light behind his eyes light up full tilt. He said, "Hey! I got a recumbent bicycle over in my barn that I barely rode. I bought it because I was having prostate trouble, but the front idler wheel broke so its just been sitting there."

To make a long story short, we traded even. Everything is groovy with the bike, but I needed to repair the front idler hanger and purchase a new idler from Rans. The idler is on its way, but the rest of the bike is tip top! I'm so excited!

Anyway, thanks for reading, and cheers!

Excellent! I have a V-Rex. It's not my fastest bent by far, but it's comfy and it's a do-everything bike. I've done 15,000+ club miles on it, toured, even faired and raced it. I'll probably never sell it.

That raises a question, though. What are you going to sell to get the Wahoo Elemnt that you still don't have?

[MENTION=22207]BlazingPedals[/MENTION] Hah! I probably will just up and get one. Craigslist is a game I play. Fun.

Sweet! My first 'bent was a VRex. Shoulda kept it for everyday use...

Whenever I get a new used bike, I will go through it down to that last nut and bolt. I'll re-Framesaver-the-frame-flavor, and repack bearing, replace cables, upgrade this or that. Go to make it mine, right? Well I just discovered the funniest thing!

When I took off the front fork, I noticed that the headset bottom cup was not completely pushed in! It had a .100 gap between the headtube and the headset lower cup seat. I got out my headset press and now everything is good. Weird that the bike shop didn't notice? Hmmm.

I'm glad that I noticed!

Nice deal. Another bike to the stable never hurts.

He who dies with the most bikes wins... right?

So the tires were flat when I got it and since its bad luck to push any bike with a flat, I pumped them up. The tires are Primo Comets. Here I've got the bloody V-Rex up on the stand, going through it, replacing cables, and cleaning it up and when I was sitting on my stool - fiddling with the rear brake - and I notice a HUGE marble-sized bulge in the sidewall of the rear tire right by my face! I quickly deflated it, averting a blown eardrum. Phew!

Both tires rotten. I'll probably put some Schwalbe Marathons on it unless anyone here can steer me towards a nice set of tires for better/cheaper.

The old chain was black and somewhat rusty. Ninety minutes in my ultrasonic cleaner, and now its just ugly. So I ordered two KMC 9-speed chains, nickle-plated, and received them yesterday. Being rather excited about possibly getting it on the road, I laid out the old chain, and laid the two new chains right next to it to get the size right. I was expecting the need to take off a few links to make the new chain fit, but instead I need about 10 more links! Damned frustrating... but... I just put another one on order and it'll be here Monday.

[MENTION=448060]NoControl[/MENTION] - How about an update on your new recumbent? I presume you've got it all dialed in. How does it ride? I love getting things in trade.

The Rans and I didn't get on. I sold it to a very nice retired couple, who were interested in trying recumbents. I gave them a really great deal, and they were as happy as clams at high tide. Thanks for your interest, [MENTION=355580]Velocivixen[/MENTION] . If I get into another recumbent, it will definitely be a long-wheelbase.

[MENTION=448060]NoControl[/MENTION] - well sounds like you gave it a try and now someone else gets to use it. I think it's nice to "pay it forward". Good karma all around. Do share when you get your long wheel based bent. Fun to see how others like to ride.

I've only had my bent about 9 days and having a great time. Still not riding in traffic, but on paved paths.