Being a newbie to recumbants I'm considering the following bikes & would like opinions.

Optima Baron, Optima Lynx and Ran V-Rex


I normally do 20 - 50 mile club rides but will also be making a 6 1/2 mile ride to work as weather permits - less I forget I also love to go fast.

Thanks

Greg E

Hey, guess from this crowd you're not going to get any more feedback than I did on my post, so I'll try to offer you what little I know. I've owned and ridden a V-Rex, and IMHO it is one of the best SWB bents going. It is, in short, a "classic". Bike can do anything: climb, cruise, tour, race, commute with style and comfort. I do not think you could ever go wrong with a V-Rex. Resale is excellent, should you move on to something else and want to sell it.

The Optima Baron has a popular following and many have exclaimed about it on BentRideronline.com. There might be reviews of the Optima bikes on that website under the link, "extras"/"reviews". I cannot speak as to the comfort or versatility of the Optima bikes. You might post this over there under "new to recumbents" or "general" and get some feedback from actual owners/riders.

Good luck!

To complete the comparison with Chili's V-rex, I own the other two bents - a Baron and a Lynx. I like both, though I started with the Lynx. The Baron is lighter and faster, but the Lynx is no slouch and is better suited to club rides and work commutes. If you want to race, especially on a track, you can't beat a Baron - it is a blast to speed around on. The Lynx, however, is also a fast road bike, if not a true racer, and its higher position and geometry is better suited for road use. For a small sacrifice in top speed (maybe 10%?) the Lynx platform provides more flexibility for commutes, touring, etc.

Hope this helps.