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#1
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Low Cost SWB Comments?
Hey guys -
ARR-RR-RRGH! I don't think I've ever made the first five in the list of most prolific posters for a month before. I had hoped Curtis might bump me back into my much more comfortable position of relative obscurity, but it looks unlikely at this point, so I may as well get this one in for January: Those of you who know me shouldn't get excited about this post; I'm personally in no danger of abandoning the dark side of the force (trikes). However, I am very interested in getting some feedback about the best value in one type of recumbent: low cost, short wheelbase, above-seat steering, unsuspended, with a 349 to 451mm front wheel and 451 to 559 rear wheel (Think $1000 P38 or a Rocket with a 507mm drive wheel?). Speed is not a big issue; I'm more concerned with all- around utility, longevity/reliability, maneuverability and (of course) the selling price at dealer level. I'd prefer comments based on experience, but I'd appreciate opinions as well. Specific questions: 1. Sun EZ-Speedster AX - How big a problem is the weight? Any cost-effective mods for seat, bars or wheels? Other? 2. Any solid rumors about new $1000 models from anyone? 3. How practical is a mid-racer [like the TW-Bents (aka ActionBent) model] (or even a low-racer) for general use (e.g., day touring, commuting)? [WOW! Five sets of parentheses and brackets in one paragraph; if this doesn't inspire Tom to pop back in, nothing will.] Thanks for any responses. Regards, Wayne |
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#2
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Low Cost SWB Comments?
On 2007-01-31 17:42:34 +0000, "32GO" said:
Hey guys - ARR-RR-RRGH! I don't think I've ever made the first five in the list of most prolific posters for a month before. I had hoped Curtis might bump me back into my much more comfortable position of relative obscurity, but it looks unlikely at this point, so I may as well get this one in for January: Those of you who know me shouldn't get excited about this post; I'm personally in no danger of abandoning the dark side of the force (trikes). However, I am very interested in getting some feedback about the best value in one type of recumbent: low cost, short wheelbase, above-seat steering, unsuspended, with a 349 to 451mm front wheel and 451 to 559 rear wheel (Think $1000 P38 or a Rocket with a 507mm drive wheel?). Speed is not a big issue; I'm more concerned with all- around utility, longevity/reliability, maneuverability and (of course) the selling price at dealer level. I'd prefer comments based on experience, but I'd appreciate opinions as well. Specific questions: 1. Sun EZ-Speedster AX - How big a problem is the weight? Any cost-effective mods for seat, bars or wheels? Other? 2. Any solid rumors about new $1000 models from anyone? 3. How practical is a mid-racer [like the TW-Bents (aka ActionBent) model] (or even a low-racer) for general use (e.g., day touring, commuting)? [WOW! Five sets of parentheses and brackets in one paragraph; if this doesn't inspire Tom to pop back in, nothing will.] Thanks for any responses. Regards, Wayne Be aware that 451 rims mean being restricted to Schwalbe Stevio or Primo Comets. -- Three wheels good, two wheels ok www.catrike.co.uk |
#3
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Low Cost SWB Comments?
32GO wrote:
Hey guys - 1. Sun EZ-Speedster AX - How big a problem is the weight? Any cost-effective mods for seat, bars or wheels? Other? I have the CX, the mid-grade one. It turned out to be a bit too short for me to use with clipless pedals, so it's sitting idle at the moment. Most shops with new examples will let these go for way less than MSRP as they are discontinued, if you can find one. There was a 2-inch longer wheelbase aluminum frame available in the last few months before it was officially discontinued. The heaviest part of this bike is the trussed frame itself. It's VERY stiff (unlike monotube SWB's) but there's not much getting around the frame's weight. There's a wisil page that is critical of the steering geometry of this bike. I didn't find the steering to be much different from the other SWBs I test-rode but because of me being tall (I had the seat all the way back) these problems may have been minimal with how I had the steering adjusted. ~ |
#4
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Low Cost SWB Comments?
32GO wrote:
Hey guys - ARR-RR-RRGH! I don't think I've ever made the first five in the list of most prolific posters for a month before. I had hoped Curtis might bump me back into my much more comfortable position of relative obscurity, but it looks unlikely at this point, so I may as well get this one in for January: Those of you who know me shouldn't get excited about this post; I'm personally in no danger of abandoning the dark side of the force (trikes). However, I am very interested in getting some feedback about the best value in one type of recumbent: low cost, short wheelbase, above-seat steering, unsuspended, with a 349 to 451mm front wheel and 451 to 559 rear wheel (Think $1000 P38 or a Rocket with a 507mm drive wheel?). Speed is not a big issue; I'm more concerned with all- around utility, longevity/reliability, maneuverability and (of course) the selling price at dealer level. I'd prefer comments based on experience, but I'd appreciate opinions as well. Specific questions: 1. Sun EZ-Speedster AX - How big a problem is the weight? Any cost-effective mods for seat, bars or wheels? Other? 2. Any solid rumors about new $1000 models from anyone? 3. How practical is a mid-racer [like the TW-Bents (aka ActionBent) model] (or even a low-racer) for general use (e.g., day touring, commuting)? [WOW! Five sets of parentheses and brackets in one paragraph; if this doesn't inspire Tom to pop back in, nothing will.] Thanks for any responses. Regards, Wayne If you can find a used Haluzak Horizon Buy it. I have one of those,an old Square tubed Rans Rocket and a Bachetta Strada modded for 700cc wheels with front and rear V brakes. The Haluzak was my first bent and I picked it up for about $700.00 and it does have an above the seat steering available. They are not made anymore except by custom order or at least thats what I have heard. PW |
#5
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Low Cost SWB Comments?
On Wed, 31 Jan 2007 18:07:32 +0000, Buck wrote:
Be aware that 451 rims mean being restricted to Schwalbe Stevio or Primo Comets. This is bad? Currently 60% of my bikes are on Schwalbes, 20% on Stelvios. Others on Marathon, City-Jet, usw. As tyre replacement time comes up they will all migrate to Schwalbe. Unless another tyre manufacturer comes up with better, but it doesn't look likely atm. Schwalbe deserve a lot of credit for covering the sizes I need, 349, 369, 406 usw, and generally in a range of tread types too. Mike |
#6
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Low Cost SWB Comments?
"32GO" wrote in message oups.com... Hey guys - [...] 3. How practical is a mid-racer [like the TW-Bents (aka ActionBent) model] (or even a low-racer) for general use (e.g., day touring, commuting)? [WOW! Five sets of parentheses and brackets in one paragraph; if this doesn't inspire Tom [Sherman] to pop back in, nothing will.] We do not want Tom Sherman back here. He has left; let him stay left! How much of a credit to this group was he anyway? He was mainly a liberal ideologue and when that failed him he turned into nothing but a mindless quipster. Maybe Wayne Leggett likes quipsters, but I for one find them tiresome. Like Wayne, Tom had a really weird sense of humor. However, unlike Wayne, Tom did not dwell on **** and **** and ass and ****, although he was not immune from it entirely either. Nay, we are all better off without him back here. Regards, Ed Dolan the Great - Minnesota aka Saint Edward the Great - Order of the Perpetual Sorrows - Minnesota |
#7
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Low Cost SWB Comments?
"32GO" wrote in message oups.com... Hey guys - [...] Those of you who know me shouldn't get excited about this post; I'm personally in no danger of abandoning the dark side of the force (trikes). However, I am very interested in getting some feedback about the best value in one type of recumbent: low cost, short wheelbase, above-seat steering, unsuspended, with a 349 to 451mm front wheel and 451 to 559 rear wheel (Think $1000 P38 or a Rocket with a 507mm drive wheel?). Speed is not a big issue; I'm more concerned with all- around utility, longevity/reliability, maneuverability and (of course) the selling price at dealer level. I'd prefer comments based on experience, but I'd appreciate opinions as well. Get a used RANS Rocket or V-Rex. There are lots of them for sale these days and they can be had for around $500. Who gives a damn about the size of the wheels? RANS owns the SWB above seat steering configuration. [...] Regards, Ed Dolan the Great - Minnesota aka Saint Edward the Great - Order of the Perpetual Sorrows - Minnesota |
#8
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Low Cost SWB Comments?
On 2007-01-31 23:16:00 +0000, Mike Causer
said: On Wed, 31 Jan 2007 18:07:32 +0000, Buck wrote: Be aware that 451 rims mean being restricted to Schwalbe Stevio or Primo Comets. This is bad? Currently 60% of my bikes are on Schwalbes, 20% on Stelvios. Others on Marathon, City-Jet, usw. As tyre replacement time comes up they will all migrate to Schwalbe. Unless another tyre manufacturer comes up with better, but it doesn't look likely atm. Schwalbe deserve a lot of credit for covering the sizes I need, 349, 369, 406 usw, and generally in a range of tread types too. Mike 451 gets only the basic Stelvios and those and the Comets are a bit naff in the wet, the Stelvio Evolution is much better but only available in 700c. I would like the option of using Marathons in the winter for more grip and when touring for comfort. -- Three wheels good, two wheels ok www.catrike.co.uk |
#9
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Low Cost SWB Comments?
On 31 Jan 2007 09:42:34 -0800, "32GO" wrote:
Hey guys - ARR-RR-RRGH! I don't think I've ever made the first five in the list of most prolific posters for a month before. I had hoped Curtis might bump me back into my much more comfortable position of relative obscurity, but it looks unlikely at this point, so I may as well get this one in for January: Those of you who know me shouldn't get excited about this post; I'm personally in no danger of abandoning the dark side of the force (trikes). However, I am very interested in getting some feedback about the best value in one type of recumbent: low cost, short wheelbase, above-seat steering, unsuspended, with a 349 to 451mm front wheel and 451 to 559 rear wheel (Think $1000 P38 or a Rocket with a 507mm drive wheel?). Speed is not a big issue; I'm more concerned with all- around utility, longevity/reliability, maneuverability and (of course) the selling price at dealer level. I'd prefer comments based on experience, but I'd appreciate opinions as well. Specific questions: 1. Sun EZ-Speedster AX - How big a problem is the weight? Any cost-effective mods for seat, bars or wheels? Other? 2. Any solid rumors about new $1000 models from anyone? 3. How practical is a mid-racer [like the TW-Bents (aka ActionBent) model] (or even a low-racer) for general use (e.g., day touring, commuting)? [WOW! Five sets of parentheses and brackets in one paragraph; if this doesn't inspire Tom to pop back in, nothing will.] Thanks for any responses. Regards, Wayne Wayne, I recently purchased an older used Lightning Stealth for under $500 on eBay. It appears that it was seldom ridden and has probably been stored for years. It will need a new set of tires since they are old. I have been lurking on the actionbent list for quite some time because I was considering one before I came across the Stealth. Most of the posters seem satisfied with their purchase, but you will gain valuable insight into the ordering process and how to try to get exactly what you want if you search the archives. It is a reasonably active list with some 1,440 members - you will find very little BS. Information about it can be found he http://groups.yahoo.com/ Search for "actionbent" Cheers, Harry |
#10
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Low Cost SWB Comments?
Hey gang -
PW (echoed by similar suggestions) wrote: If you can find a used Haluzak Horizon Buy it... Thanks for the replies. I was purposely a little vague about 'WHY' I was looking for a lowl-cost SWB, not being devious, but more in the way of playing it down. However, that seems to have confused the issue. I have a retail storefront trike shop, and although we're not (nearly) looking to expand into a more general 'bent store or 'real' LBS, we do get a number of requests for the type of bike I mentioned. There are now a number of new trikes listing for under $2000, with several available from dealers. Given the much simpler construction of (essentially two-dimensional) bike frames versus trikes, it seems to me that we should be seeing a good $1000 SWB on the market, ala Lightning's discontinued Thunderbolt and others. Marketing is a confusing mess, and there are lots of reasons why good designs fail, while others with less 'value' succeed, and recumbent bikes in general seem to having a hard time lately. Anyway, I am interested in suggestions for 'my idea of the right SWB', available via a dealer network as new bikes in small quantities. Please keep suggestions and comments coming. Buck and several others commented on wheel and tire sizing, which I think is worthy of its own thread. My responses on that topic will come as a new topic with references to the content in this one. Regards, Wayne |
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