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. |
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.
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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.
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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. |
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 |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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.
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. |
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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.
Come on down! Front to back; Greenspeed GTX Challenge Hurricane (dual 20" wheels!) BikeE Tour Easy Greenspeed GTT (tandem) Thebis (not in 1st picture) |
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/ 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. |
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.
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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 |
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.
http://www.cobrabikes.net/en-GB/Layout009.aspx?PID=36 |
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