Bike Forums

Bike Forums (https://www.bikeforums.net/forum.php)
-   Recumbent (https://www.bikeforums.net/recumbent/)
-   -   Need Advice on Next Recumbent (https://www.bikeforums.net/recumbent/333663-need-advice-next-recumbent.html)

android 08-16-07 12:06 AM

Need Advice on Next Recumbent
 
Hi,

I've happily ridden a BikeE RX for a number of years now. I'm thinking about upgrading to something faster, lighter, but still very comfortable. I like the rear shock on my RX, and the very comfortable, fairly upright riding position.

If money were no object, what would you recommend?

If money is an issue, what would you recommend?

Thanks for the feedback. BTW, I am in the SF Bay area, so if any of the recommendation can be ridden locally, that would be good.

Chaco 08-16-07 11:11 AM

I was going to recommend a Stratus XP, but if you're in the SF Bay area, I think you need something that's a bit better up the hills.

beatlebrent 08-22-07 01:15 PM

Honestly, I had the most sucess on hills riding my recumbent trike. You can get an inexpensive WizWheelz trike that's very comfortable and with a Trike, you can stop on a hill without ever taking your feet off the pedals. Just a thought.

cat0020 08-22-07 02:19 PM

Let's get a few more details on your needs to better make suggestions:

How much riding have you been doing on your BikeE? more or less than 50 mile per week? more or less than 100 miles a week?

What's the percentage of your riding is uphill? closer to 20% or 60%?

What is your budget for this next bike of yours? below $2000 or $4000 and above?

What's so comfortable about your BikeE? you like the seat vs pedal postion (high B/B or low) or the handlebar vs seat position (OSS vs USS)? You like the seat (hardshell, padded or mesh)? give more details.

What's your available storage space for this next bike? Have you got plenty of room to maneuver when this bike is parked?

Let's say your BikeE weighs approx. 30 lb., if you're looking for faster and lighter options, a trike is not going to be any faster nor lighter than you current BikeE.




Originally Posted by android (Post 5079913)
Hi,

I've happily ridden a BikeE RX for a number of years now. I'm thinking about upgrading to something faster, lighter, but still very comfortable. I like the rear shock on my RX, and the very comfortable, fairly upright riding position.

If money were no object, what would you recommend?

If money is an issue, what would you recommend?

Thanks for the feedback. BTW, I am in the SF Bay area, so if any of the recommendation can be ridden locally, that would be good.


Dchiefransom 08-22-07 02:35 PM

Easy Racers is in Freedom, Ca near Watsonville. Not sure if you can buy from the factory.
Spin cyclz is in Petaluma.
Zach Kaplan is in Alameda.

http://www.spincyclz.com/index.html

http://www.easyracers.com/

http://sanfrancisco.citysearch.com/p...rand=smx_yp-nc

android 08-22-07 03:17 PM

See my responses below.


Originally Posted by cat0020 (Post 5123606)
Let's get a few more details on your needs to better make suggestions:

How much riding have you been doing on your BikeE? more or less than 50 mile per week? more or less than 100 miles a week? TYPICALLY 20-30 MILES

What's the percentage of your riding is uphill? closer to 20% or 60%? 10-20%

What is your budget for this next bike of yours? below $2000 or $4000 and above? BELOW $2000

What's so comfortable about your BikeE? you like the seat vs pedal postion (high B/B or low) or the handlebar vs seat position (OSS vs USS)? You like the seat (hardshell, padded or mesh)? give more details. I LIKE THE MESH BAG, AND PADDED BOTTOM, I LIKE THE UPRIGHT POSITION, AND I LIKE THE LOWER PEDAL POSITION.

What's your available storage space for this next bike? Have you got plenty of room to maneuver when this bike is parked? YES.

Let's say your BikeE weighs approx. 30 lb., if you're looking for faster and lighter options, a trike is not going to be any faster nor lighter than you current BikeE.

I DON'T HAVE ANY INTEREST IN A TRIKE. I'D LIKE SOMETHING 24-25 LBS. WITH 20" TIRES AND LOW ROLLING RESISTANCE.

Dchiefransom 08-22-07 04:28 PM


Originally Posted by android (Post 5124057)
See my responses below.

I DON'T HAVE ANY INTEREST IN A TRIKE. I'D LIKE SOMETHING 24-25 LBS. WITH 20" TIRES AND LOW ROLLING RESISTANCE.

I think you ruled out the "if money is an issue" category by using the 24-25 LBS weight range of the bike, plus the 20" tires. The bikes with those size tires are mostly close to 30 pounds, although many of them can be ridden at fast speeds. Before you rule out a 'bent with a 26" rear tire, I suggest you contact the links in my post above and test ride as many as you can. Spin Cyclz has a test ride program where you demo a bike for a week.

cat0020 08-23-07 07:59 AM

Well, based on your preliminary answers, you're looking for two 20" wheels recumbent with low B/B height, under 25 lb. and cost under $2000.

BTW, when I asked about the parking situation, not only in your residence but also where you might visit with your bike, some people like a compact bike to easily maneuver or fit onto buses/ferries/trains, etc.. longer wheelbase recumbents may have difficulty maneuvering in tight spaces in those situations.








Originally Posted by android (Post 5124057)
See my responses below.
How much riding have you been doing on your BikeE? more or less than 50 mile per week? more or less than 100 miles a week?

TYPICALLY 20-30 MILES

What's the percentage of your riding is uphill? closer to 20% or 60%?
10-20%

What is your budget for this next bike of yours? below $2000 or $4000 and above?
BELOW $2000

What's so comfortable about your BikeE? you like the seat vs pedal postion (high B/B or low) or the handlebar vs seat position (OSS vs USS)? You like the seat (hardshell, padded or mesh)? give more details.
I LIKE THE MESH BAG, AND PADDED BOTTOM, I LIKE THE UPRIGHT POSITION, AND I LIKE THE LOWER PEDAL POSITION.

What's your available storage space for this next bike? Have you got plenty of room to maneuver when this bike is parked?
YES.

I DON'T HAVE ANY INTEREST IN A TRIKE. I'D LIKE SOMETHING 24-25 LBS. WITH 20" TIRES AND LOW ROLLING RESISTANCE.


cat0020 08-23-07 08:08 AM


Originally Posted by cat0020 (Post 5128218)
Well, based on your preliminary answers, you're looking for two 20" wheels recumbent with low B/B height, under 25 lb. and cost under $2000.

Recumbents with dual 20" wheels usually have more rolling resistance than a dual 26"/650c or 20/26" wheeled recumbent. The smaller the wheels the more rolling resistance, that's the reason why most racing bikes are dual 700c wheels, early 80's time trial racing bikes even have 29" wheels.
So, to lower the rolling resistance, you should consider larger diameter wheels or at lease larger diameter rear wheel.

With low B/B height and more upright riding position, you are limiting your power output to mostly your legs. The futher you recline (to a point) you are able to use your back muscles (and body weight) more for the pedaling motion, hence the lowracer riding postition.. not just for aerodynamics.
so, you might also want to consider trying some 'bents that offer more recline to the back of seat.

Under 25 lb. and $2000, I think that could be more difficult to find but not impossible.. used bikes might be more likely.

Dr.Deltron 08-23-07 09:47 AM

2 Attachment(s)

Originally Posted by android (Post 5079913)
... BTW, I am in the SF Bay area, so if any of the recommendation can be ridden locally, that would be good.

I'm down the coast in Monterey!

Come on down!

Front to back;

Greenspeed GTX
Challenge Hurricane (dual 20" wheels!)
BikeE
Tour Easy
Greenspeed GTT (tandem)
Thebis (not in 1st picture)

divergence 08-23-07 12:18 PM


Originally Posted by Dchiefransom (Post 5123739)
Easy Racers is in Freedom, Ca near Watsonville. Not sure if you can buy from the factory.

http://www.easyracers.com/

You can. In fact, you can wander into the factory any time, and they'll drop what they're doing and set you up with some bikes to test drive. Living near the factory is a big advantage after the sale, too; they're a great source of parts, advice, and help with repairs and modifications.

Android, since you're nearby in Silicon Valley, I would suggest you stop by the Easy Racers factory and let them show you their bikes before you make your decision.

BlazingPedals 08-23-07 06:36 PM

A RANS Rocket could probably be tricked out with Thracian wheels and a Euromesh or carbon hardshell seat, for around two grand. Shod with Stelvios, it might be close to the 25 pound mark. There's a lot of room to lose weight when the stock seat weighs 7 pounds! Does Kelvin Clark at Angletech still specialize in custom builds? The pedals would be higher, but then the Bike-E didn't have very low pedals anyway.

lowracer1 08-23-07 09:38 PM

1 Attachment(s)
you could always contact rick gritters and get a custom built 20/20 design. I'm sure rick would build whatever seat angle you wanted.

here's a 20/20 gritters lowracer

Trsnrtr 08-24-07 06:44 AM


Originally Posted by lowracer1 (Post 5133957)
you could always contact rick gritters and get a custom built 20/20 design. I'm sure rick would build whatever seat angle you wanted.

Or try to seek out a Cobra:

http://www.cobrabikes.net/en-GB/Layout009.aspx?PID=36


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:02 AM.


Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.