Entry level recumbent purchase very soon

I posted a message here "Short wheel base for beginner" a little over a
week ago, and I got some good advise. However from some recent net
research most seem to recommend a different type of bike. So now I am
more leaning towards a lwb or a clwb model. There are three that I have
found so far that seem to be in my "entry level" price range. The SUN
EZ-1SC and the CYCLE GENIUS STARLING and the CYCLE GENIUS SPARROW. I am
really leaning towards the EZ-1. My reasoning on this one is the
reputation of SUN. And the fact that most (all?) the EZ models were
designed by the folks at EASY RACERS. Does any one own a EZ-1SC? If so
how do you like it? I am test riding one on Tuesday. How about the two
CYCLE GENIUS bikes? The dealer I am going to test ride the SUN is also a
CYCLE GENIUS dealer.

Ken
--
[T]he bicycle is the most efficient machine ever created: Converting
calories into gas, a bicycle gets the equivalent of three thousand miles
per gallon. ~Bill Strickland, The Quotable Cyclist

Homepage: http://kcm-home.tripod.com/

"Ken M" wrote in message
...
I posted a message here "Short wheel base for beginner" a little over a
week ago, and I got some good advise. However from some recent net research
most seem to recommend a different type of bike. So now I am more leaning
towards a lwb or a clwb model. There are three that I have found so far
that seem to be in my "entry level" price range. The SUN EZ-1SC and the
CYCLE GENIUS STARLING and the CYCLE GENIUS SPARROW. I am really leaning
towards the EZ-1. My reasoning on this one is the reputation of SUN. And
the fact that most (all?) the EZ models were designed by the folks at EASY
RACERS. Does any one own a EZ-1SC? If so how do you like it? I am test
riding one on Tuesday. How about the two CYCLE GENIUS bikes? The dealer I
am going to test ride the SUN is also a CYCLE GENIUS dealer.

The SUN EZ-1 is a great recumbent. The only criticisms I have ever heard
about it are that it is a little on the heavy side and it sits you fairly
upright because of the low crank. This could possibly effect comfort. But
the seat seems to be quite good. Also, some do not like the 16" front wheel,
preferring a 20" front wheel. I rode it briefly once and it handled like a
dream. Why spend more when you can get a very good recumbent for less? I
even like the looks of it.

By the way, I am very much in favor of a company like SUN. They make
recumbents that are not going to cost you an arm and a leg. Unless you are
into racing you do not need a light super fast recumbent. Let's face it,
most of us just ride our bikes around town for some fun and some exercise.
You need a $2000. recumbent to do this?

Regards,

Ed Dolan - Minnesota

I do own an EZ-1 SC. Yes you do sit upright. I'm 5'8" and it sits
about like riding in a truck with a bench seat. Only the slightest of
recline. This is my first recumbent and the only issues I've come up
against so far are that you have to hunt a bit to find a cycle
computer that will work with the bike. I ended up mounting mine using
the front wheel for speed and making a stand-off to mount the cadence
sensor. The other issue I have found is the rear derailer height.
This is definitely a road bike and you don't want to approach a bump
at a narrow angle on the right side. The rear derailer will hit. So
also be careful of soft ground. The rear wheel is a 20 inch wheel and
the derailer hangs down close to 8 inches. The ride on chip sealed
(tar and gravel) roads can be a bit rough (to me) but I put that down
to the fact I'm sitting with no suspension.

I will agree though that the EZ series of recumbents are good starter
bikes that won't break your wallet. (I know I'm quoting that from
someplace) I like the bike,


On Sun, 01 Jan 2006 10:55:06 -0500, Ken M wrote:

I posted a message here "Short wheel base for beginner" a little over a
week ago, and I got some good advise. However from some recent net
research most seem to recommend a different type of bike. So now I am
more leaning towards a lwb or a clwb model. There are three that I have
found so far that seem to be in my "entry level" price range. The SUN
EZ-1SC and the CYCLE GENIUS STARLING and the CYCLE GENIUS SPARROW. I am
really leaning towards the EZ-1. My reasoning on this one is the
reputation of SUN. And the fact that most (all?) the EZ models were
designed by the folks at EASY RACERS. Does any one own a EZ-1SC? If so
how do you like it? I am test riding one on Tuesday. How about the two
CYCLE GENIUS bikes? The dealer I am going to test ride the SUN is also a
CYCLE GENIUS dealer.

Ken

Edward Dolan wrote:


The SUN EZ-1 is a great recumbent. The only criticisms I have ever heard
about it are that it is a little on the heavy side and it sits you fairly
upright because of the low crank. This could possibly effect comfort. But
the seat seems to be quite good. Also, some do not like the 16" front wheel,
preferring a 20" front wheel. I rode it briefly once and it handled like a
dream. Why spend more when you can get a very good recumbent for less? I
even like the looks of it.

It looks better than the CYCLE GENIUS models I was looking at, although
I haven't seen either of them up close yet. I had the pleasure of riding
one of SUNs other (more $$$) models and it was like limo ride. Well the
way I figure it, you start out at an entry level type bike, and then if
you continue to enjoy it you step up at the next bike purchase.

By the way, I am very much in favor of a company like SUN. They make
recumbents that are not going to cost you an arm and a leg. Unless you are
into racing you do not need a light super fast recumbent. Let's face it,
most of us just ride our bikes around town for some fun and some exercise.
You need a $2000. recumbent to do this?

The model I test rode at the bike shop where I bought my latest diamond
frame bike, I think it was a EZ-SPORT price tag was marked $1599.00 I
thought that was a bit pricey for a first bike. My current price range
is $500-$750 which, to me seems more reasonable for a first 'bent'.

Ken

--
[T]he bicycle is the most efficient machine ever created: Converting
calories into gas, a bicycle gets the equivalent of three thousand miles
per gallon. ~Bill Strickland, The Quotable Cyclist

Homepage: http://kcm-home.tripod.com/

Stonegrift wrote:
I do own an EZ-1 SC. Yes you do sit upright. I'm 5'8" and it sits
about like riding in a truck with a bench seat. Only the slightest of
recline. This is my first recumbent and the only issues I've come up
against so far are that you have to hunt a bit to find a cycle
computer that will work with the bike. I ended up mounting mine using
the front wheel for speed and making a stand-off to mount the cadence
sensor. The other issue I have found is the rear derailer height.
This is definitely a road bike and you don't want to approach a bump
at a narrow angle on the right side. The rear derailer will hit. So
also be careful of soft ground. The rear wheel is a 20 inch wheel and
the derailer hangs down close to 8 inches. The ride on chip sealed
(tar and gravel) roads can be a bit rough (to me) but I put that down
to the fact I'm sitting with no suspension.

Well I have a diamond frame that I will continue to use for short hops
around town and on my commute (3 miles one way). I want to use a
recumbent for longer rides. I have back issues that give me discomfort
on longer rides on upright road bikes. My diamond frame is a hybrid /
comfort type bike and the upright position is comfortable, but the
aerodynamic drag is high, so from what I have been reading a recumbent
may be a better bike for me for longer rides.

I will agree though that the EZ series of recumbents are good starter
bikes that won't break your wallet. (I know I'm quoting that from
someplace) I like the bike,


I think that is a quote from the SUN website. Thanks I appreciate the
feedback.

Ken
--
[T]he bicycle is the most efficient machine ever created: Converting
calories into gas, a bicycle gets the equivalent of three thousand miles
per gallon. ~Bill Strickland, The Quotable Cyclist

Homepage: http://kcm-home.tripod.com/

"Ken M" wrote in message
...
Edward Dolan wrote:
[...]
By the way, I am very much in favor of a company like SUN. They make
recumbents that are not going to cost you an arm and a leg. Unless you
are into racing you do not need a light super fast recumbent. Let's face
it, most of us just ride our bikes around town for some fun and some
exercise. You need a $2000. recumbent to do this?

The model I test rode at the bike shop where I bought my latest diamond
frame bike, I think it was a EZ-SPORT price tag was marked $1599.00 I
thought that was a bit pricey for a first bike. My current price range is
$500-$750 which, to me seems more reasonable for a first 'bent'.

Ken, I can't believe the way prices of bikes have gone sky high in the past
30 years or so. I got my first upright for a little over $100. (a very nice
French one). Now you have to pay at least several hundred in order to get a
fairly good upright bike.

But recumbents exist in another universe than uprights. They are all just so
damn expensive. $500. - $750. is an excellent price point for recumbents.
Many on this group are into super expensive recumbents. Even I worked my way
up to a couple of $2000. recumbents, but I have a very bad conscience about
it.

I have little respect for manufacturers who only know how to bring our very
expensive recumbents. I will save my respect and admiration for those
manufacturers who have the smarts to figure out how to bring out a recumbent
for a few hundred instead of a few thousand. I am of the opinion that any
dumbbell can bring out a recumbent if price is no object. The trick is to be
able to do it cheaply. That is why I rather like SUN. They have more smarts.

Regards,

Ed Dolan - Minnesota

Edward Dolan wrote:

Ken, I can't believe the way prices of bikes have gone sky high in the past
30 years or so. I got my first upright for a little over $100. (a very nice
French one). Now you have to pay at least several hundred in order to get a
fairly good upright bike.

Yes, and for the several hundred dollars you only get an entry level
bike these days.

But recumbents exist in another universe than uprights. They are all just so
damn expensive. $500. - $750. is an excellent price point for recumbents.
Many on this group are into super expensive recumbents. Even I worked my way
up to a couple of $2000. recumbents, but I have a very bad conscience about
it.

I suppose recumbents are in their own universe because they are not
produced in numbers that diamond frames are. Super expensive bikes are
nice, but may or may not be suitable for a beginner. I have been
searching websites left and right looking for entry level type bikes,
and have found several in my price range. RANS makes a couple I could
stretch the price range to, SUN looks good, ACTIONBENT makes a couple of
models but they have no local dealers. CYCLE GENIUS makes a couple in
the my beginners bracket.

I have little respect for manufacturers who only know how to bring our very
expensive recumbents. I will save my respect and admiration for those
manufacturers who have the smarts to figure out how to bring out a recumbent
for a few hundred instead of a few thousand. I am of the opinion that any
dumbbell can bring out a recumbent if price is no object. The trick is to be
able to do it cheaply. That is why I rather like SUN. They have more smarts.


I agree with you on that point. If more companies would make and market
lower price range bikes more people would buy them and expand the
overall market of recumbents.

Ken
--
[T]he bicycle is the most efficient machine ever created: Converting
calories into gas, a bicycle gets the equivalent of three thousand miles
per gallon. ~Bill Strickland, The Quotable Cyclist

Homepage: http://kcm-home.tripod.com/

Ken M wrote:
I posted a message here "Short wheel base for beginner" a little over a
week ago, and I got some good advise. However from some recent net
research most seem to recommend a different type of bike. So now I am
more leaning towards a lwb or a clwb model. There are three that I have
found so far that seem to be in my "entry level" price range. The SUN
EZ-1SC and the CYCLE GENIUS STARLING and the CYCLE GENIUS SPARROW. I am
really leaning towards the EZ-1. My reasoning on this one is the
reputation of SUN. And the fact that most (all?) the EZ models were
designed by the folks at EASY RACERS. Does any one own a EZ-1SC? If so
how do you like it? I am test riding one on Tuesday. How about the two
CYCLE GENIUS bikes? The dealer I am going to test ride the SUN is also a
CYCLE GENIUS dealer.

There is nothing wrong with the bikes mentioned, as long as one accepts
that their lower price comes at the expense of weight and component
quality. In addition, unlike a bike such as the RANS Rocket which will
be faster than an upright road bike in flat to rolling and windy
conditions, the bicycles mentioned above will be slower than a normal
drop-bar upright in most conditions.

If the limitations of the entry level CLWB's bikes do not interfere
with the intended use of the potential owner, they are excellent values
for the money. If riding fast and/or long distances is expected, there
are much better choices (that cost considerably more).

--
Tom Sherman - Fox River Valley

Mike Rice wrote:



It doesn't hurt that Gardner Martin had worked out the basic geometry
with the Easy Racer line for many years before creating the Sun line.
Sun bikes are an import ine, aren't they? I imagine the price would be
considerably higher if the bikes were built in the US.

From what I have read they are made in Asia somewhere. And yeah I would
think they would be considerable higher if they were made in the U.S.

I liked the ride of the Sun Sport model, but didn't feel that I was
getting much of a noticable improvement over my old Shcwinn Varsity
(in terms of travel for effort expended in only one test ride, comfort
was certainly better on the Sun). The Tour Easy, though at least twice
as costly as the Sun, did feel like less effort than the Shcwinn and I
have no regrets about parting with the cash to get the bike I chose.


Well that SPORT model did ride nice, but this being my first recumbent
purchase I think I would like to stick to something a little less
pricey, just in case I can't stand the bike. Not that I think that will
happen, but sometimes it's hard to tell on a relatively short "test
ride". Bike shops shop take a deposit, and then let you take the bike
home and ride it for a couple of days of something. I don't know of any
around here that do that though.

Ken
--
[T]he bicycle is the most efficient machine ever created: Converting
calories into gas, a bicycle gets the equivalent of three thousand miles
per gallon. ~Bill Strickland, The Quotable Cyclist

Homepage: http://kcm-home.tripod.com/

Mike Rice wrote:

I will agree though that the EZ series of recumbents are good starter
bikes that won't break your wallet. (I know I'm quoting that from
someplace) I like the bike,


I think that is a quote from the SUN website. Thanks I appreciate the
feedback.

Ken


My old Schwinn beat me up pretty good after 30 miles or so. My tour
Easy is comfortable on rides of 50-70 miles.

Yeah my Raleigh hybrid (32pounds, upright bars, sus fork) is comfortable
up to about 40 miles or so. But the position I am forced to ride in
make me and the bike like a sail in the wind. Most any given day riding
in south Florida my average speed is limited to about 13mph.


Ken
--
[T]he bicycle is the most efficient machine ever created: Converting
calories into gas, a bicycle gets the equivalent of three thousand miles
per gallon. ~Bill Strickland, The Quotable Cyclist

Homepage: http://kcm-home.tripod.com/