Looking at this used recumbent -- opinions
 

I posted a Craigslist ad looking for a used recumbent trike. Got a response from someone selling this bike. Well, a bike just like this one (must not have a camera?) He states that it is 1 year old, he paid $850 and is asking $450. He said it was built by a company in Florida.

[IMG]http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...mbenttrike.jpg[/IMG]

First thing I noticed was the one piece ashtabula crank --- heavy and department store level component. Makes me think it must weight a ton and that the other bits are most likely on the low quality side also. If I go take a look, and if it seems to ride ok, what sort of price should it sell for? In my mind I am equating it roughly with the cheapest Sun EZ3 model -- does that seem about right?

Any help greatly appreciated.

- is that the guy that builds bikes down in Gulfport? (St. Pete, Fla.)

- i believe i've seen other varieties of this bike locally, and IIRC, there's a Web site for the builder...

- yep, here it is:

http://fnkool.com/bikes_trikes_choppers_recumbents/

- it looks like the pic above has been lifted directly from the above site, and the bike has a retail list of $799 in the exact configuration, not $850 (perhaps shipping was added?)... however, for the seller to pass off his bike as the one pictured should raise a big red warning flag!

- and as you surmise, the bike is not as sophisticated as other 'bents... even less so in person...

Looks like a low qual clone of a Sun EZ3 variant

the push pull stearing would be something to get used to and not normal....peace

Thanks for the feedback -- I don't think that this is the bike for me (well really my wife). Any idea what a used Sun EZ should sell for? Those seem like reasonable quality and would be good for riding the bike paths.

I didn't like the fact that the seller did not post an actual picture. He is local and gave a local phone number, but I don't like the componet quality and the steering looked a bit wonky.

That does not look like a quality recumbent.

There's only one brake, and the crankset looks like it was lifted from a Walmart bike. Probably weighs a ton.

(Whole thing looks wonky to me- height, frame going out to nowerer, flimsy steering) but that is only a viewer of a picture. Someone else might love it.

Sun delta EZs sell for about $400. to $700. used. I tried to sell an EZ Tad for $500., but it did not sell because several delta EZs were cheaper at the time.

countersTrike

Sorry to necrothread, (may I claim noob stupidity this once?) but I have one of these & am new to bents, but not trikes.
It isn't as heavy as you'd think, and I dislike the seat (my original owner put something that looks like it belongs on a power wheelchair on it. She's a bit larger than me by weight and two inches taller, so...
However, I like the steering. Reminds me of flying.
I have a couple plans for the Kool: mesh seat by summer; add a brake; e-bike it.
Oh, and paint. she bought a kit and is as clumsy as I am. lots of dings...but I paid $300.
I'm thinking obviously "hippie-cootied" purple so it is an eyesore rather than a temptation for thieves.

I like the turning radius. I can ride it through a chain link fence gate (my last upright trike was too wide to do that).
it's JUST heavy enough to feel stable when my crazed 4x4 and suv driving neighbors come down the street while I'm pedaling to the side.
It's light enough that I could get it on a light rail train in a pinch.
I like deltas.

I could afford it, and I was deciding between scooter and a trike. This replaced a car.

Do I think it will be my ultimate ride? nah. but it'll do for now!
Would I have gotten it retail? heck no.

I'm guessing it's like licorice or the Grateful Dead: you love it or hate it.
I love licorice, I love the Dead and I'm happily crushing on this trike for now.

Thread has been here a while! Sorry I called it 'wonky'! If it works- GREAT! I sold the EZ Tad CX that I mentioned on Craigslist in 4 days for $400., so I am selling my JM trike on Craigslist right now (Oct 11) hoping it will also sell fast.

CountersTrike

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Like an EZ3?
 

I have an EZ3. It's a mite heavy, but it rides great, has 21 gears, disc brakes, looks great and is very well-built. I don't like the trike on that website. It looks cheaply made and I think if you rode both an EZ3 and that one, it would be no contest with the Sun coming out the winner.

Your best bet is to go to bike stores who will let you test ride. Find a trike you like and then look for that brand as used, if you need to go that way.

Sorry to interrupt-

Correction: I *was* selling the JM trike on Craigslist. About 12:00 (Oct. 12) it sold.

CountersTrike

Congrats!....:D

yes, congrats on the sale. And NEVER fear wonky. It's one of the best created words in decades!
It's a kit trike (the Kool I bought, and I'm guessing the OP trike as well), or at least assembled by purchaser, so there are some weird things that look like she made do with washers and such (all getting swapped out as I figure out WHAT needs to be there.)
Luckily, my duplex neighbor can give me pointers (in exchange for playing on the bent...hmmmm... a re-convert?