Bikee

What Me Worry? wrote:
"Richard Greenberg" wrote in message
news:c%i1f.2716$026.1245@trndny09...

Hi. I'm not a recumbent cycler (not yet anyway), but have been playing
with
the idea of purchasing a "not too expensive' one to play with. I don't
see
any easy way to "try out" recumbents in my neighborhood, and don't really
have the time to travel hours to any of the 2 or 3 shops within 500 miles
of
LI, NY. I've noticed that there are a few Bikee's (or is it Bike E's) for
sale now and then on Ebay. Are these bikes a reasonable place to start?
What should one pay for a good to excellent condition specimen? Thanks
for
any info/advice.


Richard, as one who has riddent and owned a variety of recumbents, I have to
recommend: Test ride as many as you can before choosing which one to buy.
The various major types - LWB, SWB, CLWB, Trikes, etc - vary widely in their
ride characteristics and capabilities. There are always trade-offs with
recumbents. The key is figuring out which tradeoffs you prefer. That means
lots of test rides.

,,,
If you're handy with a wrench, and not afraid to fix your bike, then buying
online is a good choice. If you prefer not fixing your own bike, buy from a
local/regional dealer, or find a mechanic locally. Recumbents can sometimes
need some "dialing in" to get them working correctly.

Maybe a Bike E will work for you. Maybe not.


I started with a new Bike-E and after about 2 years I upgraded to a Burley.
My advise is; the Bike-E is a good 'starter' bike if it is in good shape. But
plan to upgrade in a couple years after you get the feel of riding a 'bent and
know what you are really looking for - and by then you probably will have to
give the Bike-E away.

As for "Dialing in" any bike - probably seat and handle bar positions for
comfort and efficiency, tire type (brand) also for efficiency, and to a lesser
extent tire pressures for handling - probably the highest rated pressure will
be what you go for.

Also things like: 'kick stand' (keeps the mud out of the cluster), lock (keeps
honest people honest), water bottles (keeps you hydrated), lights (night
riding), bell or horn (to wake up the pedestrians), rack (groceries), and
plenty of reflectors (gives the drivers something to aim for :-) Darn, this
list could be endless so I'll stop.

What Me Worry? wrote:
"Slugger" wrote in message
...

Richard, also keep in mind the BikeE is no longer in production and the
company went under. This may be trouble when break something and you
need a part.


Very good point.



The only things that broke (wore out) on my Bike-E were standard bike parts.
Now on my Burley that's a another story.

Richard, good replies all but I'd suggest making that trip to a good
'bent shop. It may be a long ways away but well worth your time, esp if
you call ahaead and let them know you are coming. The can have several
different bikes ready for you when you get there. Plus you'll be able
to as a lot of questions and get some really good answers.

In article . com,
Sunset Lowracer [TM] Fanatic wrote:

Slugger wrote:
In article CjR1f.317$C62.137@trndny05, Richard Greenberg
wrote:

Thanks for the info. Most appreciated.

"Richard Greenberg" wrote in message
news:c%i1f.2716$026.1245@trndny09...
Hi. I'm not a recumbent cycler (not yet anyway), but have been playing
with
the idea of purchasing a "not too expensive' one to play with. I don't
see
any easy way to "try out" recumbents in my neighborhood, and don't
really
have the time to travel hours to any of the 2 or 3 shops within 500
miles
of
LI, NY. I've noticed that there are a few Bikee's (or is it Bike E's)
for
sale now and then on Ebay. Are these bikes a reasonable place to start?
What should one pay for a good to excellent condition specimen? Thanks
for
any info/advice.




Richard, also keep in mind the BikeE is no longer in production and the
company went under. This may be trouble when break something and you
need a part.

If an "orphan" is worth riding, then it is worth having replacement
parts custom made. Ask me why I have considered this.

I'm not saying its a bad bike but first of all it looks like a 2by4 and
due to the company being titz up it should be sold for cheap. Whenever
I see them, they cost 1000 CAD used. Thats pretty steep for a used
2by4.

We started with a pair of BikeE ATs which we loved. They are easy to
ride once you learn to let your elbows just hang ahd you just lightly
hook your fingers over the handle grips and move the handlebars gently.
They are slow, compared to our current rides (Rans V-Rex), but are
reliable and fun to ride. You can still get factory new bikes from the
guy who owns the Whytoole site
(http://members.aol.com/whytoole/WHYT...mtbrand=AOL_US).

He also has the only unique part (the Delrin seat sliders) other than
the frame in the BikeE design. I would pick up a set of 8 if you buy a
BikeE from anywhere.

Ken the Troll (not a Upper)

Slugger wrote:
In article . com,
Sunset Lowracer [TM] Fanatic wrote:

Slugger wrote:
In article CjR1f.317$C62.137@trndny05, Richard Greenberg
wrote:

Thanks for the info. Most appreciated.

"Richard Greenberg" wrote in message
news:c%i1f.2716$026.1245@trndny09...
Hi. I'm not a recumbent cycler (not yet anyway), but have been playing
with
the idea of purchasing a "not too expensive' one to play with. I don't
see
any easy way to "try out" recumbents in my neighborhood, and don't
really
have the time to travel hours to any of the 2 or 3 shops within 500
miles
of
LI, NY. I've noticed that there are a few Bikee's (or is it Bike E's)
for
sale now and then on Ebay. Are these bikes a reasonable place to start?
What should one pay for a good to excellent condition specimen? Thanks
for
any info/advice.




Richard, also keep in mind the BikeE is no longer in production and the
company went under. This may be trouble when break something and you
need a part.

If an "orphan" is worth riding, then it is worth having replacement
parts custom made. Ask me why I have considered this.

I'm not saying its a bad bike but first of all it looks like a 2by4 and
due to the company being titz up it should be sold for cheap. Whenever
I see them, they cost 1000 CAD used. Thats pretty steep for a used
2by4.

I would not trade a Sunset Lowracer for a dozen (12) BikeE's (and I
have two (2) Sunsets.
--
Tom Sherman - Fox River Valley

Mike Wrote:
What Me Worry? wrote:
"Slugger" wrote in message
...

Richard, also keep in mind the BikeE is no longer in production and
the
company went under. This may be trouble when break something and you
need a part.


Very good point.



The only things that broke (wore out) on my Bike-E were standard bike
parts.
Now on my Burley that's a another story.

What parts, particularly recumbent specific parts, broke on the Burley?


--
meb