Vision VR45
 

Anyone have an opinion on the Vision VR45 (with USS)?

I'm thinking about an upgrade on my EZ Speedster. Both however have a rear 26" and a front 20", a cromoly frame, and a mesh seat. I wonder if there'd be a genuine difference?

Thanks

No replies yet? I guess none of the Vision R45 owners have checked the forums lately....

First of all Vision stopped building the R45 some time ago. If I am not mistaken they combined the best of the R40, R45 & I think one or 2 other models & made one really good R40 model that was more versatile then the original R40.

Second, the parent company that owned Vision, Advanced Transportation Products went out of business a year or so ago.

Now I can offer you an opinion on the Vision R40 Short Wheel Base, (SWB) with Over Seat Steering, (OSS), as that is what I own & ride. It is a great bike as far as I'm concerned. A great deal for what the bike offers. I will admit that it is bumpier because it is a SWB, but I find it easier to turn when compared to a Long Wheel Base, (LWB). And I test rode quite a few recumbents before I settled on the one I purchased.

Just because the company that built Vision's went out of business doesn't mean you won't find one. Several bike shops still have them in stock. Most, from what I have seen have really great prices on them so they can get ride of them.

If you're concerned about warranty I have learned that some shops will honor the warranty if anything happens to the frame, etc. Just make sure of that before you buy it. My shop will honor the warranty my bike has on it if anything ever happens to the frame. As far as the components are concerned, they are the same as what you find a decent road bike. Also if you ever need anything like a replacement seat cusion & cover the Rans model will fit on a Vision seat frame.

I've ridden an R40 SWB USS for two years, and I absolutely love it! My wife has a bike identical to it, but it is set up as LWB USS. The bike feels slightly longer than mine, but I could truthfully ride with joy and confidence on either setup. That is one of the Vision's strengths, you can configure it in so many ways. (My wife and I bought the spare boom and handlebars for ours so we can switch them around if so desired.) Now all that being said, my wife doesn't like her Vision and ended up replacing it with a Rans. Why? 1. The seat height is a little higher, so she was on her toes at intersections, with the other leg straight out in front of her. She's about 5'2''. 2. Because the bottom bracket is at seat height, she felt like it was using more energy just to stop and go and keep going. She likes the lower seat and bottom bracket of the Rans. I will confess that the rans is a very nice bike, I just like my Vision better! :) Hope these comments help!