First week with Revive...so far, so good;-)

Today marks my first full week with my new standard Revive. I am
still playing with different adjustments and am amazed how the bike's
feel changes with each adjustment.

I was experiencing a very low intensity back ache just over my lumbar
area on the right side. I tried different seat and backrest positions
to try to remedy it. I thought maybe it had to do with the fact that
I am so used to the more laid back position of my full recumbent and
perhaps my body wasn't used to this new seating arrangement.

Today I tried something different. I had the handlebar stem aligned
the same angle as the fork much like the promotional pictures show.
To a casual observer, they would think it's a straight non adjustable
stem. I stopped and opened the quick release and pushed the steering
assembly forward a couple of inches. The steering action felt strange
but I noticed that I was much more comfortable. My back feels great
now;-) My arms are now outstretched with a slight bend in my elbows
instead of the near 90 degrees that they were before. I think you all
will laugh at this but the Revive feels more "aero" now! Maybe it's
all in my mind;-)

Another side benefit is that I don't feel like I'm sliding forward as
much on the seat anymore. I may still try adding a couple of washers
on the front bolt under the seat to bring up the "nose" a bit.

My overall impressions are, I am very comfortable on the seat with no
issues with "recumbent or wedgie butt" of any kind. I am getting
faster on it as I get used to the very open pedaling position. I
actually chased after a road bike on the trail I was riding today.
The rider was on the drops and doing maybe 18-20 mph and started to
gain on him but I got tired as I was wearing my jeans from work which
caused a lot of friction against my sweaty legs and of course he was
wearing the full lycra outfit. The clothing does make a diffence to a
point. This ocurred after I had made that adjustment to the stem. I
guess that's what inspired me to make that comment about feeling more
aero. The bike is such a blast to ride. It feels more like a scooter
with pedals instead of a traditional bicycle. I am also so tempted to
get a set of Tioga Comp Pool tires and try them out as I'm curious if
there will be any improvement in rolling efficiency. It's also cool
the fact that both tires are the same size...for once;-)

Well that's it for now. Hopefully I'll be able to post any
impressions on longer rides on my Revive. As soon as the right club
ride comes along one of these weekends, I'll let you all know how it
went.

Edward Wong
Orlando, FL

Edward Wong wrote:
The bike is such a blast to ride. It feels more like a scooter with
pedals instead of a traditional bicycle. I am also so tempted to get a
set of Tioga Comp Pool tires and try them out as I'm curious if there
will be any improvement in rolling efficiency. It's also cool the fact
that both tires are the same size...for once;-)
Well that's it for now. Hopefully I'll be able to post any impressions
on longer rides on my Revive. As soon as the right club ride comes along
one of these weekends, I'll let you all know how it went.
Edward Wong Orlando, FL

Yesterday, my son and I traded bikes. He borrowed my Revive while I took
my old 15 speed mountain bike... I've been riding the Revive since June
and, believe it or not, I almost *couldn't* ride the traditional bike!
Different center of gravity, different muscle set, different
positioning, the whole bike just seemed unnatural! Almost got vertigo
and I was most uncomfortable! I went out for just five minutes and told
my son he was on his own, I was heading back to the garage!

I've just gotten too used to the Revive.

Edward, I ride with about two or three friends who are roadies and I've
tried to race 'em once. Got blown away once they hit the higher gears
and tucked! I doesn't matter though, I really like the comfort of the
Revive and I felt a lot better than many of the other MS150 riders I met
at the finish line.

Glad to hear your bike is working out for you! (My 12 year son is now
borrowing my Revive regularly!)

David R. Springfield, Missouri





--
The good traveler is not intent on reaching his destination. -- Lao Tzu

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I've just gotten too used to the Revive.

Edward, I ride with about two or three friends who are roadies and I've
tried to race 'em once. Got blown away once they hit the higher gears
and tucked! I doesn't matter though, I really like the comfort of the
Revive and I felt a lot better than many of the other MS150 riders I met
at the finish line.

Glad to hear your bike is working out for you! (My 12 year son is now
borrowing my Revive regularly!)

David R. Springfield, Missouri

David (Reviverider),

Good to hear your input. These bikes are like an addiction;-) As to
my little episode with the road bike yesterday, I have to agree that
this bike is a "cruiser" and not a "racer". I know that my clothing
wasn't the only factor that slowed me down. I mean we're talking
about his high pressure 700c tires compared to my low/mid pressure 20
inchers. It was 20 lbs. compared to my 41 lbs. and his aero tuck
against my "sit up and notice" seating position. Still I am satisfied
with the performance level of the Revive for "what it is".

I'm certain that any high/low racer owner who read my post probably
chuckled when I made the comment about the perceived aerodynamic
improvement after I adjusted the stem forward. I can hear them say,
"Yea right Ed! How can you make a barn door more aerodynamic".

I had traded another Giant product towards the Revive and cash of
course. It was a 2003 Giant Simple Single cruiser. The thing was
quite light at 27 lbs. My Revive weighs right around 41 lbs. and
feels so much more efficient, faster and pedals very easy compared to
the lighter cruiser. Comfort level of the Simple doesn't even begin
to compare to the Revive's so I'd say it was definitely a big move
upwards;-)

It looks like your son is really taking a liking to the more laid back
cruising style. You may find yourself in the market for another
Revive in the near future;-)

Happy trails,
Edward Wong

I should clarify what I previously wrote - re the seat, I just meant the
'nose' adjustment you referred to.

Hey what's up.
Just got back from my 6 mile morning ride.

I moved my seat forward a bit also and found that helped alot.
I too found myself slipping a bit forward.
The weather is great here in St.Louis. I may just ride again later today.
This morning my wife called me OBR. Obsessive Bike Rider.
I just thought I was having fun!
Hope all is well in Florida Ed.

David,My wife loves to ride my Revive,
But she has her eye on the i3.
Maybe I can get one here in the US.

Maybe I'll work on the revive owners page this weekend.
I know there is more revive owners out there we just have to find them.

Stay in touch.
Derek

Edward,

Since you have a bike in your possession, that piece of flat metal above
the rear wheel and where a bike bag will be mounted, is that aluminum or
steel? I looked today in the store and couldn't tell. It looked like
steel but I have no idea why they would use a rather think piece of steel
there.

"DH" wrote in message ...
Edward, I've spoken with several dealers here in the Netherlands re the
seat of the Revive and have rec'd two different stories. One says that
Giant has rec'd complaints about the seat and the models leaving the
factory now have a modification incorporated. Another dealer tells me
that Giant is aware of the seat problem and might incorporate an
adjustment in the 2005 models. At any rate, they are aware of the wishes
of the riders.

I've sent a fax to Giant here in the Netherlands and am waiting to hear
back. A dealer close by gave me an excellent price for me to trade in my
7 month old Batavus for the 21 speed Revive. I'm waiting to hear back
from Giant and their plans for the seat. One dealer here has already
added two washers to the front past of the seat to slightly raise it.
Some of what I've just written here was also in another post from you, I
believe.

DH, you seem to be on top of things. I do believe the seat tilt issue
is something Giant should and probably is addressing as we speak. To
me, it's not an issue but I do think it would be better to have the
capability to change the tilt of the seat. In the meantime, the
adding of the washers to the front bolt should do the trick.

If you're getting a good trade for your Batavus and along with an
attractive price on the Revive, I'd say go for it. Since you're in
contact with Giant, could you please ask them if there are any plans
to introduce the Revive DD to the US market? Thanks.

Edward Wong
Orlando, FL

Edward, if you live in the US, you should ask the Giant distributor in the
US what their plans are ... or have your LBG call for you. I'm reasonably
sure each distributor caters to the local population. I've only been
directing my questions to Giant here in the Netherlands and I have no idea
what their connection is, if any, with Giant in the US.

(I'm still waiting the hear back from Giant. Batavus took quite a while
to respond to my e-mails and Gazelle was very prompt.)

"DH" wrote in message ...
Edward,

Since you have a bike in your possession, that piece of flat metal above
the rear wheel and where a bike bag will be mounted, is that aluminum or
steel? I looked today in the store and couldn't tell. It looked like
steel but I have no idea why they would use a rather think piece of steel
there.

I think it is aluminum, I can't really tell just by looking at it.
I'll check into it.
Derek

"DH" wrote in message ...
Edward,

Since you have a bike in your possession, that piece of flat metal above
the rear wheel and where a bike bag will be mounted, is that aluminum or
steel? I looked today in the store and couldn't tell. It looked like
steel but I have no idea why they would use a rather think piece of steel
there.

DH,

It is aluminum. The only steel part might be the fork.

Edward Wong