neck surgery and high racers
 

Seven years ago I had a 3 level neck fusion and 3 weeks ago I had to have another fusion. That totals 4 levels that I have fused. I am now wearing a collar and will be for at least 4 more weeks. Any opinions about riding a V3 RANS high racer? I have been riding a DF for the last 3 years. Before that I was riding a Tour Easy but that seemed to bother my Sciatic nerve. I need something that will climb really well and it seems to be the opinion that a dual 26 recumbent does just that. The Gold Rush is a great bike but I am not sure how it compares to the V3 in climbing ability.
My doctor told me before this last surgery that I should be able to continue to bike. I just don't want to do something that will aggravate my condition.

I don't know if I'd call the V3 a "highracer." I reserve the racer moniker for bikes that are severely reclined, and the RANS just ain't. As far as aggravating your condition, that'll be hard to predict. On the one hand, the RANS seat is more reclined than a GRR, so you should get fewer seat problems, but OTOH some people in the past have had problems with the lip of the seat pan hitting their tailbone.

Trial and error, I suppose. The V3 puts your neck in a more natural position than either a DF or a reclined high racer, but as BP says, it's hard to predict. More reclined than an Easy Racer, though.
The V3 is supposed to climb well, and while I haven't put many miles on one, and the relatively few miles I put on one didn't include much for hills, but they seem very fast. Randy ??? (the owner) told me he thought the V3 seems to be equal to pretty well any high racer given the same "rider power!"

I'll confirm that dual 26" 'bents climb well. My Challenge Seiran certainly does.

As far as reducing neck strain: until I got used to a reclined high-racer, I had some challenge relaxing my muscles, and fell a couple times while stopping fast at intersections -- so be careful.

Climbing is about power to weight. You'll want something light. I'd look at the Bacchetta Corsa or Aero's.
They climb exceptionally well. MW had the 4th fastest time on the Townes Pass leg of FC508 this year, and that was a ton of climbing.

My thoughts lie with the RANS V3. I notice the seat height is actually lower than the seat on the TE or Gold Rush. I believe the bottom bracket is 26". If I decide to go with a dual 26" bike that will probably be the one. I haven't ridden a bike with the bottom bracket being that high or with a seat that is as laid back as the V3. I have owned a TE and a Gold Rush and liked both of those bikes. I need something that will climb better than the Easy Racers since I live in a very hilly area. Handling is also a large concern.I don't want to have to give up biking.

I'm sure thinking about the V3 aluminum. The titanium V3 is a whole lot more expensive and only 1 pound lighter! Rans is bringing out a 4130 steel V3, although it weighs about 10 - 12 pounds more than the aluminum V3, but I think about $2,000 cheaper.
Having test ridden the aluminum V3, I dream about it! Maybe next spring.......