Looking For My First Recumbent

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Date: 07 Mar 2006 02:01:50
From: peddleman
Subject: Looking For My First Recumbent

Boy, do I have a lot to learn about recumbents. I have been riding a
standard road bike now for a couple years and participated in a couple
of MS 150's. I like to put the miles on with good weather. I average
between 2 to 3 thousand miles each year. My price range stops at $1500
for a bike that will get me there with some speed and the capability of
climbing the hills we have here in SW Missouri. Believe me we have the
hills. Flat areas are a premium at times. One thing I have noted in
the discussion is the weight of the recumbent. So, far from what I
have concluded is the E Z Sport and the Rans Stratus are some of the
more popular picks. I am open to suggestions. The nearest qualified
dealer are 87 miles away. I also know in standard road bikes you do
get what you pay for.

Thanks,
bill - peddleman

Date: 10 Mar 2006 14:39:41
From: John Knez
Subject: Re: Looking For My First Recumbent

Date: 09 Mar 2006 21:54:15
From: Johnny Sunset aka Tom Sherman
Subject: Re: Looking For My First Recumbent

peddleman wrote:
> Looked this one up and found that its' price is high. I know that
> somewhere in $1500 range is a bent I can purchase. But, thanks for the
> idea. It is one heck of neat looking bent. One that thing that I did
> not mention is the fact that are many gravel roads to ride that I would
> like to explore. Leaving in a rural farming area does have some
> advantages.

First thing to note is that if $1,500 is a "hard" budget number, don't
consider bikes over about $1,200. Add a few items like a seat back bag,
cyclometer, water bottles/cages or hydration bladder, clipless pedals,
fenders, etc. and the $1,200 bike becomes a $1,500 bike.

Others may disagree, but I find a SWB bike better for loose surfaces
and low speed climbing. The RANS Rocket would work well for your
purposes, but I would suggest switching the stock crank for something
with smaller chainrings.

One option to consider would be getting a second set of wheels. One set
would have slick road tires and the other would have semi-knobby tires
for gravel road and dirt paths.

--
Tom Sherman - Behind the Cheddar Curtain

Date: 09 Mar 2006 13:02:12
From: NYC XYZ
Subject: Re: Looking For My First Recumbent

peddleman wrote:
> Looked this one up and found that its' price is high. I know that
> somewhere in $1500 range is a bent I can purchase. But, thanks for the
> idea. It is one heck of neat looking bent. One that thing that I did
> not mention is the fact that are many gravel roads to ride that I would
> like to explore. Leaving in a rural farming area does have some
> advantages.
>
> bill

Peddleman, I had absolutely no idea recumbents were so damned expensive
-- I had a budget of $1500 at first, too, but in short order, after
perusing through different reviews by different people of different
models by different manufacturers, it became clear that if I'm in this
for the comfort, then I simply must pony up the premium; no sense in
being half-assed if it's supposed to be more than just a novelty (which
it would have been, until, unsolicited, the sports doc told me to get
one!).

So I'm eyeing a customization of an already customized SMGTe from
Hostel Shoppe at $3,600.00. It was such a comfortable bike! Love at
first ride, I like to say. And though over twice as much as my initial
ceiling, I have no regrets. So I don't think money should be the
guiding factor; you can always save up!

Date: 08 Mar 2006 17:42:08
From: peddleman
Subject: Re: Looking For My First Recumbent

Looked this one up and found that its' price is high. I know that
somewhere in $1500 range is a bent I can purchase. But, thanks for the
idea. It is one heck of neat looking bent. One that thing that I did
not mention is the fact that are many gravel roads to ride that I would
like to explore. Leaving in a rural farming area does have some
advantages.

bill

Date: 08 Mar 2006 02:02:32
From: Arnold Ligtvoet
Subject: Re: Looking For My First Recumbent

peddleman wrote:
> Boy, do I have a lot to learn about recumbents. I have been riding a
> standard road bike now for a couple years and participated in a couple
> of MS 150's. I like to put the miles on with good weather. I average
> between 2 to 3 thousand miles each year. My price range stops at $1500
> for a bike that will get me there with some speed and the capability of
> climbing the hills we have here in SW Missouri. Believe me we have the
> hills. Flat areas are a premium at times. One thing I have noted in
> the discussion is the weight of the recumbent. So, far from what I
> have concluded is the E Z Sport and the Rans Stratus are some of the
> more popular picks. I am open to suggestions. The nearest qualified
> dealer are 87 miles away. I also know in standard road bikes you do
> get what you pay for.

Does the 'nearest' dealer sell Optima bikes? It's funny to see such an
enormous difference between most European and American bikes. In the
Netherlands most of the development is dedicated towards SWB 'low
racers' like the Optima Baron. I drive one for touring and my daily
commute and it's a very nice bike.

If you have the chance try to put in a lap on a low racer model bike. I
assure you that once you have tried this you won't want any different.

Regards,
Arnold

Date: 08 Mar 2006 08:55:32
From: Peter Clinch
Subject: Re: Looking For My First Recumbent

Arnold Ligtvoet wrote:

> Does the 'nearest' dealer sell Optima bikes? It's funny to see such an
> enormous difference between most European and American bikes. In the
> Netherlands most of the development is dedicated towards SWB 'low
> racers' like the Optima Baron.

While they're certainly a common agenda point for several manufacturers,
I'd say that "most of the development" is a gross overstatement. That
most development is SWB I'd agree, but lowracers are a minority item in
typical product lines and absent from many altogether (Sinner, Rainbow,
Flevo don't have one AFAICT).

> If you have the chance try to put in a lap on a low racer model bike. I
> assure you that once you have tried this you won't want any different.

Horses for courses, I liked the Baron I tried but I wouldn't want one
instead of my Streetmachine, or a semi-low like the Speedmachine or my
gf's Nazca Fiero. In many circumstances lowracers are not terribly
practical machines, though if you want to go fast as a priority they're
certainly worth a look.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net p.j.clinch@dundee.ac.uk http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

Date: 07 Mar 2006 10:44:58
From: NYC XYZ
Subject: Re: Looking For My First Recumbent

peddleman wrote:
>
> <SNIP>
>
> I am open to suggestions. The nearest qualified
> dealer are 87 miles away.

Boy, I made a real mistake in choosing a dealer simply 'cause he's the
closest one...and if you're doing long-distance, it might as well be
mail-order, since that way you save on State sales tax. If I can do it
all over again, I'd go with an established business like Hostel Shoppe.
In the free ket, folks don't get big for no reason, especially in a
community as small as this.

> I also know in standard road bikes you do
> get what you pay for.

Absolutely NOT true. The ActionBent yahoo! users' group is full of
satisfied customers! But okay, who knows what's that's about --
obviously there's a moderator there -- but I have heard from two
ActionBent owners in a local cycling club who have only good things to
say about their rides (and they're experienced 'bent-heads with other
'bents in their stables) and customer service from Randy Shulman, the
sole distributor for these China/Taiwan-made bikes. Only problem is
you can't do a test-ride, but once you're an experienced 'benter,
you'll want to keep this brand in mind for any future bikes, as all
you'll really need is x-seam measurements and such. If you're a DIYer,
which many 'benters are, this appears to be the best bang for the buck
out there.

> Thanks,
> bill - peddleman

Good luck. Welcome to the dork side! Wish I'd known about 'bents
years ago...wait, actually, no I don't -- you and I seem to have come
at just the right time, with all kinds of advances in the industry....

Date: 07 Mar 2006 05:09:35
From: stratrider
Subject: Re: Looking For My First Recumbent

peddleman wrote:
> So, far from what I
> have concluded is the E Z Sport and the Rans Stratus are some of the
> more popular picks. I am open to suggestions.

I have owned a Stratus since 99. It is still a great bike for the $$$.
For even less $$, check out:

http://volaerecumbents.com/2005/volae_tour.php

This is a USA made frame (Waterford) keted by HostelShoppe in
Wisconsin.

Jim Reilly
Reading, PA

Date: 07 Mar 2006 06:40:52
From: Ken C. M.
Subject: Re: Looking For My First Recumbent

peddleman wrote:
> Boy, do I have a lot to learn about recumbents. I have been riding a
> standard road bike now for a couple years and participated in a couple
> of MS 150's. I like to put the miles on with good weather. I average
> between 2 to 3 thousand miles each year. My price range stops at $1500
> for a bike that will get me there with some speed and the capability of
> climbing the hills we have here in SW Missouri. Believe me we have the
> hills. Flat areas are a premium at times. One thing I have noted in
> the discussion is the weight of the recumbent. So, far from what I
> have concluded is the E Z Sport and the Rans Stratus are some of the
> more popular picks. I am open to suggestions. The nearest qualified
> dealer are 87 miles away. I also know in standard road bikes you do
> get what you pay for.
>
> Thanks,
> bill - peddleman
>
Well Bill, I just bought my first recumbent about a month ago. I bought
a Sun EZ-1. It's an entry level bike. I also test rode the Sport and the
Stratus. Both are good bikes. The Stratus, in my opinion, is probably
the best of the bikes you mentioned. About hills, all bents are slower
on hills than diamond frames. But what you lose going up hill you gain
in the decents and in the flats. The biggest thing I have noticed is
riding in the wind. On my df, I was often slowed down by wind gusts to
under 10 mph, but rarely drop below 13 on the recumbent.

Ken
--
You never have the wind with you - either it is against you or you're
having a good day. ~Daniel Behrman, The Man Who Loved Bicycles

Homepage: now with it's very own domain name
http://www.bikesandmoreonline.com/

Date: 07 Mar 2006 07:58:40
From: Jon Meinecke
Subject: Re: Looking For My First Recumbent

"Ken C. M." <kencmjr-nospam@netzero.net > wrote
> About hills, all bents are slower on hills than diamond frames.

Probably true as a general rule. I'm faster up hills on my
recumbent than I was on my upright. That says more about
me riding more than about any inherent climbing potential
of a bike design, though.

> But what you lose going up hill you gain in the decents and in the flats.

Well, sort of... Hill climbing is "sunk" time,-- you spend a
lot more time climbing than decending. Consider a route where
half the distance is acsending. You can be no faster than twice
the average climbing speed (and that presumes the remaining
distance flat or downhill takes *no* time).

I find my downhill speeds are more often limited by road conditions
and risk management than the potential maxium of the bike and me.

> The biggest thing I have noticed is riding in the wind. On my df,
> I was often slowed down by wind gusts to under 10 mph, but
> rarely drop below 13 on the recumbent.

That's my experience, too. Though it varies from recumbent to
recumbent based on frontal area and streamlining...

The original poster mentioned a budget of $1500 and two models,
E Z Sport and the RANS Stratus. Near that price range and for at
least moderately smooth roads, he might also consider a lighter
weight SWB. A Volae or Bacchetta "high racer" might get there
with "some speed" better than the E Z or Stratus on rolling hills...
Lighter weight low racers, also, but likely not in the $1500 price
range.

Jon Meinecke

Date: 07 Mar 2006 21:42:19
From: Bob Hill
Subject: Re: Looking For My First Recumbent

I agree with Jon. I own a Stratus and a Rocket, and the Rocket climbs better
than the Stratus. My recollection of high school geometry tells me that
having almost all of your power stroke in the direction of travel (Rocket)
rather than split into two components - forward and down (Stratus) gives
more positive results.

For the money you're looking to spend I'd suggest a V-Rex, a Force 5 LE, or
a Bacchetta Giro 26.

"Jon Meinecke" <jonmein@none.non > wrote in message
news:440d905c$0$3307$6d36acad@taz.nntpserver.com...
> "Ken C. M." <kencmjr-nospam@netzero.net> wrote
>> About hills, all bents are slower on hills than diamond frames.
>
> Probably true as a general rule. I'm faster up hills on my
> recumbent than I was on my upright. That says more about
> me riding more than about any inherent climbing potential
> of a bike design, though.
>
>> But what you lose going up hill you gain in the decents and in the flats.
>
> Well, sort of... Hill climbing is "sunk" time,-- you spend a
> lot more time climbing than decending. Consider a route where
> half the distance is acsending. You can be no faster than twice
> the average climbing speed (and that presumes the remaining
> distance flat or downhill takes *no* time).
>
> I find my downhill speeds are more often limited by road conditions
> and risk management than the potential maxium of the bike and me.
>
>> The biggest thing I have noticed is riding in the wind. On my df,
>> I was often slowed down by wind gusts to under 10 mph, but
>> rarely drop below 13 on the recumbent.
>
> That's my experience, too. Though it varies from recumbent to
> recumbent based on frontal area and streamlining...
>
> The original poster mentioned a budget of $1500 and two models,
> E Z Sport and the RANS Stratus. Near that price range and for at
> least moderately smooth roads, he might also consider a lighter
> weight SWB. A Volae or Bacchetta "high racer" might get there
> with "some speed" better than the E Z or Stratus on rolling hills...
> Lighter weight low racers, also, but likely not in the $1500 price
> range.
>
> Jon Meinecke
>
>

Date: 07 Mar 2006 12:53:27
From: Dave Larrington
Subject: Re: Looking For My First Recumbent

In article <N_SdnbieDZXY7JDZnZ2dnUVZ_v-dnZ2d@giganews.com >, Ken C. M.=20
(kencmjr-nospam@netzero.net) wrote:

> About hills, all bents are slower on hills than diamond frames.=20

I wonder how I managed to overtake those two lads on the way out of=20
Compton Abdale <URL:http://tinyurl.com/lt5b6 > back in January. Must=20
have been a trick of the light :-)

--=20
Dave Larrington - <http://www.legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uk/ >
Help me, Mrs. Medleycott, I don't know what to do. I've only got three=20
bullets and there's four of M=F6tley Cr=FCe.

Date: 07 Mar 2006 08:22:34
From: Ken C. M.
Subject: Re: Looking For My First Recumbent

Dave Larrington wrote:
> In article <N_SdnbieDZXY7JDZnZ2dnUVZ_v-dnZ2d@giganews.com>, Ken C. M.
> (kencmjr-nospam@netzero.net) wrote:
>
>
>>About hills, all bents are slower on hills than diamond frames.
>
>
> I wonder how I managed to overtake those two lads on the way out of
> Compton Abdale <URL:http://tinyurl.com/lt5b6> back in January. Must
> have been a trick of the light :-)
>
Perhaps I should have said "all things being equal a diamond frame will
be faster than a recumbent. The same rider on the same course under the
same conditions etc,etc,etc the df will be faster." I too have beat
riders on diamond frames, but was it the bike or the rider? I would have
to say it was the rider. The other rider probably don't ride as much as
I do. Or perhaps they just were not trying as hard. Who cares, just ride.

Ken
--
You never have the wind with you - either it is against you or you're
having a good day. ~Daniel Behrman, The Man Who Loved Bicycles

Homepage: now with it's very own domain name
http://www.bikesandmoreonline.com/

Date: 07 Mar 2006 12:04:47
From: Peter Clinch
Subject: Re: Looking For My First Recumbent

Ken C. M. wrote:

> About hills, all bents are slower
> on hills than diamond frames.

That depends on the 'bent and it depends on the DF. "All else being
equal" they will usually be slower as the requirements of a large seat
mean more weight than an "otherwise equal" DF. But the important thing
is make sure you have an appropriate gear range for what you have in
mind and get used to spinning up.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net p.j.clinch@dundee.ac.uk http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/