Ceaddam

I bought a used Sun Bicycles EZ-1SC Lite and at $400.00, I think I've been ripped off.
Tell me if it's supposed to be like this or did the guy take it out of a box and put it together (badly) without looking at the instructions?

1) the gears are cheaper than my $70.00 Schwinn from Target. I can't go from 3rd to 2nd. I have to go down to 1st and then up to 2nd because all it does is clank and spin, not change. The other gears are so hard to shift, I need all my hand strength to change it, by then I've driven partially off the road or forced everyone else into the ditch. Amusing the first time, but...also, if I brush against the shifter, it changes gear.
Can I fix this or is this the way it is with this bike?

2) forget about coasting. Ever. Can't get up enough speed to coast. Is this because of the weirdo gears or is just the way this bike is?

3) it's slow, I can't keep up with my 11-year-old no matter what gear I'm in. I'm pedaling as fast as I can, my legs are whirling around but the gear ratio is so fubar that I'm not making any progress.

4) the chain is literally right against my ankle. Wearing pants will be a challenge when the weather changes. I can't see any way to keep clothing out of the chain since my leg rubs against it constantly. Do they make a chain cover and the guy forgot to put it on or what?

5) brake levers in a weird location, will try to move them down. Is this just something I have to get used to or did someone just put them in a strange place? It looks like I don't have a lot of options for moving them, space-wise.

Anyone know about this bike and can offer assistance?
If this bike is suppose to be like this, man, don't anyone else buy one, it sucks.

Shaman

Obviously there is some adjusting the bike needs. Yes, the Sun is the beginners versions of the 'bent offerings. They are normally outfitted with minimal spec components (not downright inferior though) and they are usually considered quite heavy compared to it's competition.

First things first... get the manual (probably available online) and start over (always my way to fix things, YMMV). I assume the bike was used to some extent and by your description, not much. If you have no previous bicycle mechanic experience, you will need to find a competent LBS that can fix things. There could be broken parts if shifters are being forced (you might have actually broken it) or maybe things just need to be assembled correctly and adjusted properly (<- definitely).

If this was a well used bike and had parts swapped and someone intentionally gave you crap-on-a-frame... let a LBS tell you that in writing and go back to the seller and have a nice "conversation" about their misguided ways.

squirl

I test rode one of those and it wasnt that bad, not an amazing ride but easy to shift and plenty fast. Sounds like you may have some parts swap or somthing. Id get the manual and parts list an compare them to what you have and then spend some time tinkering with it. Itll work itself out. You should be able to smoke an 11 year old no problem.
later

Shaman

You say that with such confidence, Squirl

Ceaddam

Thanks, I'll find a manual. I'm thinking the person who had it before me must have gotten it out of a box and put it together themselves because, I mean, seriously, the handlebars weren't even tightened and the front wheel nearly came off on the test ride. Maybe they sold it because they couldn't get it to work, LOL

Shaman

Sorry about leaving you hanging on the clothes and chain. Most 'bents use chain tubes to manage the chain and keep your cloths from staining. These are normally 1/2" ID Teflon tubes. They do require a little care in installing so you don't restrick the power side of the chain, but a little engineering can really make these tubes work for you. I have them on my 'bent trike and I can commute with dress pants. You will also need the band that keeps the cuff of your pants under control.
HOSTEL SHOPPE CHAIN TUBE LINK
Link 2; keepers
Link 3; sample instructions

Ceaddam

Oh COOL! Thanks!

jeff-o

Yeah, it's not supposed to do that.

BlazingPedals

If you don't want dirty pants legs, use leg clips/bands, and lube with White Lightning. You could put a chain tube on an EZ, but it isn't designed to use one. If your ankle is in the chain all the time, maybe your feet are pointing out instead of straight ahead? You might want to use Knee Savers (pedal extenders.)

All the other stuff is adjustment-related. The guy you bought it from is incompetent as a mechanic. Find a competent one.

squirl

Your right there could be a couple of 11 year olds that are smoldering fast but for the most part i have full cofidence he should be able to smoke 99% of them.

Tom Bombadil

Here's a review on the bike:

https://www.easyracers.com/BROL_EZ1_Lite.htm

They had several positive things to say about it, but some negatives too. Those negatives included problems with the derailleurs. And if they had problems with them with a new bike, your used bike could indeed be having bigger problems. Shimano Acera is a very low end derailleur. If that is what you have, then you might need to replace it with something better.