20 inch conversion on an EZ1

[Freddie M. Wall]

I believe I had read during the past year about a person who converted the
front wheel of his / her EZ 1 to a 20 inch wheel. Unfortunately, I can not
recall the details. Is anyone on this newsgroup familiar with how to
accomplish this and more importantly, would it work? Or, would it cause the
recumbent to handle poorly?

Thanks.

[[email protected]]

I was wanting to do this. However my LBS was unable to locate a fork
with a long enough stem to go through the head tube. I did find an
article on the HPV site where someone had modified their fork for more
rake to reduce the low speed front wheel flop.

Freddie M. Wall wrote:
> I believe I had read during the past year about a person who
converted the
> front wheel of his / her EZ 1 to a 20 inch wheel. Unfortunately, I
can not
> recall the details. Is anyone on this newsgroup familiar with how to
> accomplish this and more importantly, would it work? Or, would it
cause the
> recumbent to handle poorly?
>
> Thanks.

[[email protected]]

I would think a long enough fork would be available from J&B /Sun.
http://www.jbimporters.com/

[Freddie M. Wall]

Thanks for the suggestion. I checked the J and B site and saw that one has
to go through the LBS. I'll speak with the one I use a lot and see what they
have to say.
Thanks.
> wrote in message
oups.com...
>I would think a long enough fork would be available from J&B /Sun.
> http://www.jbimporters.com/
>

[Freddie M. Wall]

I went by my LBS and the mechanic called JB Importers while I was there.
After the mechanic explained my request, he said the customer service
representative was abrupt and said "NO!" It seems that he would not even
discuss selling the LBS a fork to try the conversion.

From exploration of other sources, it seems that there are few if any other
manufacturers that make a fork that would meet the need. The mechanic said
he would keep checking, just in case. I just wish I had not bought a
recumbent several years ago before they released the models with larger
wheels. In my area, recumbents were nonexistent and I was glad to find what
I did at the time. Since I have a collection of other bikes for various
purposes, I am not interested in buying another recumbent. If the Customer
Service Rep is indicative of this importer's attitude toward customers, I
will definitely think long and hard before deciding on one they import.

If anyone happens across another source for the conversion, I would
appreciate it.

Thanks for any assistance you can give.


> wrote in message
oups.com...
>I would think a long enough fork would be available from J&B /Sun.
> http://www.jbimporters.com/
>

[db]

Try here...
http://poweroncycling.com/FORKS.htm

"Freddie M. Wall" > wrote in message
...
> I went by my LBS and the mechanic called JB Importers while I was there.
> After the mechanic explained my request, he said the customer service
> representative was abrupt and said "NO!" It seems that he would not even
> discuss selling the LBS a fork to try the conversion.
>
> From exploration of other sources, it seems that there are few if any
other
> manufacturers that make a fork that would meet the need. The mechanic
said
> he would keep checking, just in case. I just wish I had not bought a
> recumbent several years ago before they released the models with larger
> wheels. In my area, recumbents were nonexistent and I was glad to find
what
> I did at the time. Since I have a collection of other bikes for various
> purposes, I am not interested in buying another recumbent. If the
Customer
> Service Rep is indicative of this importer's attitude toward customers, I
> will definitely think long and hard before deciding on one they import.
>
> If anyone happens across another source for the conversion, I would
> appreciate it.
>
> Thanks for any assistance you can give.
>
>
> > wrote in message
> oups.com...
> >I would think a long enough fork would be available from J&B /Sun.
> > http://www.jbimporters.com/
> >
>
>

[Tom Sherman]

Freddie M. Wall wrote:

> I went by my LBS and the mechanic called JB Importers while I was there.
> After the mechanic explained my request, he said the customer service
> representative was abrupt and said "NO!" It seems that he would not even
> discuss selling the LBS a fork to try the conversion.
>
> From exploration of other sources, it seems that there are few if any other
> manufacturers that make a fork that would meet the need. The mechanic said
> he would keep checking, just in case. I just wish I had not bought a
> recumbent several years ago before they released the models with larger
> wheels. In my area, recumbents were nonexistent and I was glad to find what
> I did at the time. Since I have a collection of other bikes for various
> purposes, I am not interested in buying another recumbent. If the Customer
> Service Rep is indicative of this importer's attitude toward customers, I
> will definitely think long and hard before deciding on one they import.
>
> If anyone happens across another source for the conversion, I would
> appreciate it.
>
> Thanks for any assistance you can give.

A RANS Tailwind fork is raked for LWB use and has cantilever studs in
the correct place for an ISO 406-mm wheel. I suspect that the steerer
would be long enough, as I had to cut quite a bit off mine when I
converted my RANS Wave to an ISO 406-mm front wheel. Check with a RANS
dealer.

--
Tom Sherman - Near Rock Island

[db]

The 20 inch fork offered by Power-on cycling is a RANS Tailwind 406 fork, I
think...

Be well, Tom,

Doug


"Tom Sherman" > wrote in message
...
> Freddie M. Wall wrote:
>
> > I went by my LBS and the mechanic called JB Importers while I was there.
> > After the mechanic explained my request, he said the customer service
> > representative was abrupt and said "NO!" It seems that he would not even
> > discuss selling the LBS a fork to try the conversion.
> >
> > From exploration of other sources, it seems that there are few if any
other
> > manufacturers that make a fork that would meet the need. The mechanic
said
> > he would keep checking, just in case. I just wish I had not bought a
> > recumbent several years ago before they released the models with larger
> > wheels. In my area, recumbents were nonexistent and I was glad to find
what
> > I did at the time. Since I have a collection of other bikes for various
> > purposes, I am not interested in buying another recumbent. If the
Customer
> > Service Rep is indicative of this importer's attitude toward customers,
I
> > will definitely think long and hard before deciding on one they import.
> >
> > If anyone happens across another source for the conversion, I would
> > appreciate it.
> >
> > Thanks for any assistance you can give.
>
> A RANS Tailwind fork is raked for LWB use and has cantilever studs in
> the correct place for an ISO 406-mm wheel. I suspect that the steerer
> would be long enough, as I had to cut quite a bit off mine when I
> converted my RANS Wave to an ISO 406-mm front wheel. Check with a RANS
> dealer.
>
> --
> Tom Sherman - Near Rock Island
>

[Freddie M. Wall]

Thanks for the suggestions. I have printed them off and will follow-up on
this.


"

[[email protected]]

Re J&B, you might have to tell them you want a fork for an EZ Sport.
They may not approve of the idea of modificatons.
In any case, it seems like there are other sources.

[Freddie M. Wall]

According to the Power on Cycling web site, the fork they have available is
two inches shorter than the fork in my specific EZ1. I am unaware of any
changes because I see very few of them in my area. The local LBS mechanic is
most helpful and willing to look into any area available to him for a
possible fork. He agreed to e-mail one of his parts reps for help

Once again, thanks to all who had suggestions.

[Jack Davis]

"Freddie M. Wall" > wrote in message
...
> Thanks for the suggestions. I have printed them off and will follow-up on
> this.
>
>
> "

Fred,

While you're at it, ask your lawyer why Sun will not approve of such a
venture and why your LBS should not do it even if they could.

Have fun...

jd

[Freddie M. Wall]

Ahhhh yes. I keep forgetting about the liability issue, which is due to my
age, 53, and the understanding that we should take responsibility for our
actions. I'm certain that if one looked at cycling and the myriad of
potential liability issues, it is concievable no company would even
manufacture one or parts. However, I had planned on doing the work myself,
primarily because it helps me learn about the actual workings of a bicycle.
Also, I generally take a conservative approach to using a bike and check
things out regularly. Ideally, if the LBS orders me a fork, I do the work,
then it should minimize their liability issue. But, your point is well made
and understood. I believe liability is one of the primary reasons
manufacturers will not ship to an individual, they require a LBS to
assemble.



"Jack Davis" > wrote in message
. ..
>
> "Freddie M. Wall" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Thanks for the suggestions. I have printed them off and will follow-up on
>> this.
>>
>>
>> "
>
> Fred,
>
> While you're at it, ask your lawyer why Sun will not approve of such a
> venture and why your LBS should not do it even if they could.
>
> Have fun...
>
> jd
>
>