MaxBender

Anyone have Comments on using the Rans Flip-it handlebar?

The handlebar folds forward for easy storage,
but since it does not lock it seems that it would not feel very solid or secure while riding.

(Like when zooming down a hill then hitting the brakes.)

ppc

Don't worry about that, that's never a problem on any bent: when you hit the brakes hard, your feet press against the pedals and resist the deceleration force. You're never going to slip forward. And even in the unlikely event of having to jump on the brakes without the feet on the pedals, there's still plenty of friction between your backside and the seat.

rnorris

With apologies to the post above, the flip-it bars CAN be dangerous on recumbents with an upright riding position. I struck a pothole on a fast downhill run hard enough to where my upper body pivoted the Glide Flex stem on my Vision a few inches forward of the fork, even though it was well secured by the quick release- your upper body can put a lot of leverage on the long stem if your recumbent has a "praying hamster" riding position like the OSS Visions. The front wheel quickly went into a death wobble; luckily I had plenty of room to brake slowly enough not to pivot the stem further. I've quit riding the Vision until I can find a fixed stem for it.

The flexible stems are probably OK on bikes with a more reclined riding position, but I'm done with them myself!

ppc

rnorris, Thanks for sharing your experience. I thought the OP was referring to the inability to push against a flip-it handlebar during an emergency braking to avoid being thrown off the bike, but I didn't realize these stems change the handling of the bike to such an extent when they are rotated forward. I'm glad to know this, as I was entertaining the idea of trying one on my Condor.

Paul L.

Have a similar setup on my Bacchetta Strada and find it makes it possible to fit the bent into cars it otherwise would not be able too (managed to get it into the back of a saturn sedan once). Anyway, I had the same original worries you do but have found them not to be a problem and very handy at times.

mchell

I have the Flip-It on our Rans Screamer. To me, the joint for the steering tube with the quick release is the weakest link in the entire machine. I have "broken" two quick-release levers trying to get enough pressure to keep the tube feeling secure. I was not using the "swing the tube forward" feature to mount and dis-mount, so now, I have a stainless bolt and compression nut locking the whole business firmly. It will give away if necessary, but I personally prefer a steady, solid, secure feeling in the bars. We use a Draftmaster for transporting the bike behind the car so the tube stays in its normal riding positioon all of the time. By the way, NEVER let the steering tube slant forward of the head tube to gain more room in the cockpit. Doing so turns the steering tube into a "tiller" and invites sudden and serious loss of control of the bike; downright scary on any bike but especially on a tandem at speed! If you wish for more room, Rans publishes info on their website to explain how to turn the Flip-It steering tube around 180 degrees, gaining 7-8" of space for the captain. Worked fine for me.

BlazingPedals

On the flip side of this story, my first V-Rex had a fixed riser/stem arrangement. An oncoming car turned left in front of me, completely blocking my lane. Due to the low recumbent position, I went into the side of the car instead of over it head-first. But since the riser assembly was unable to pivot, it was mangled pretty badly by me going through it enroute to the car's fender.