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

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

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.
~

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

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

"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

"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

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

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

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