Semi Recumbents ?

[tepol]

Hey all,

I wanted to try and give the recumbent thing a shot since the last time I posted and wondered , as it doesnt seem to get mentioned much , if there are any budget semi recumbents any one could recommend ?

thanks

matt

 

[z0mb13e]

I'm guessing there aren't many users on recumbents here - always wanted to try one myself. Maybe not for commuting as it always looks a bit prone...

I had to google to see what a semi recumbent was - looks very weird - like a chopper - I guess the ones with seat backs are probably a bit more comfortable...

 

[Beeping-Sleauty]

I'm guessing there aren't many users on recumbents here - always wanted to try one myself. Maybe not for commuting as it always looks a bit prone...

I had to google to see what a semi recumbent was - looks very weird - like a chopper - I guess the ones with seat backs are probably a bit more comfortable...

...are we talking about these bikes...?

always fancied a trial of this type, looks supremely comfortable.

 

[Bikerbob]

Velo Vision magazine is a good source of information on these sort of bikes. If you Google 'Velo Vision' you will find their website.

 

[Tubaman]

I really like the look of the red bike in question - anyone know what it is ?

 

[tepol]

What make is that red one on the top pic ?

That is exactly the sort Im looking for

I looked at that site but other than Kinetics - which isnt cheap - didnt see any at all .

There is another makes i saw called day 6 that I liked the look of but again its just a us brand.

thanks for links

 

[Orraman]

The red bike looks like some of those on EcoSpeed site.

Could also be worth searching for Compact Long Wheelbase

Dave
Peer Gynt Long Wheelbase with Cyclone

EcoSpeed, Worlds Best Electric Assist

 

[Beeping-Sleauty]

Sun EZrider CX

What make is that red one on the top pic ?

That is exactly the sort Im looking for

I looked at that site but other than Kinetics - which isnt cheap - didnt see any at all .

There is another makes i saw called day 6 that I liked the look of but again its just a us brand.

thanks for links

...yeah, i liked that one too, it is a Sun EZrider CX, the red one in the picture above has been fitted with electrics, the more i see it, the more i want to have a go,

see the orig frame:

Sun Recumbents - Dale's Bike Shop - Oberlin, OH

liked the tandem too.

here's a link for more 'bents'

‘BentRider Online
Easyracers

 

[andyh2]

I tried a recumbent trike and a long wheelbase recumbent and then discovered the Rans 'crankforward' bikes. I've got the Dynamik and my Mum's just got a Fusion step through. I ran the Dynamik with a Tongxin motor and it was a great combination. (Tongxin now migrated to an Xtracycle / MTB set up.)

You don't get the aerodynamic efficiency of a true recumbent, but the comfort is wonderful. They're not cheap with current exchange rates, but great bikes.

pics of ours here;

Rans - a set on Flickr

And more info on range here;

http://www.ransbikes.com/Fusion10.htm

 

[flecc]

Giant make the Revive semi-recumbent which you can get through any Giant Bicycles dealer, or there's one on ebay for £450 at the moment:

Giant Revive on ebay

There's also an electric version, the Revive Spirit, which uses a modified version of the Panasonic unit:

 

[tepol]

yeah , I saw that one on ebay - not too keen on it but its is cheap - so far

Also the wheels remind of my old bmx when i was 8 , I never understood the idea behind those large plastic spokes i.e. youd think they'd slow you down - was it just cosmetic , or was there actually some point to it ?

 

[flecc]

They're maintenance free compared with normally spoked wheels which can run out of true, and they are much easier to clean. These three to six spoked wheels have largely taken over on motorcycles of course, usually in alloy on those though.

As you see on the electric version, only some Revive models have the plastic wheels, they vary with the gear system fitted.

If you are near London, London Recumbents sell and hire all sorts and are based in Dulwich Park where you can try riding the bikes in a traffic free environment.
.

 

[tepol]

Unfortunately Im way up in the snowy highlands just now, and there doesnt seem to be any dealers near here.

More from those sun semis

They actually have some very good prices based on what I've seen on some of thier dealers sites i.e. It might be worth just going over even if they dont ship provided I could find a way to sneak it back in a suitcase or something..

Thanks for that info flecc , I disnt actually see the revial semi advertised on the Giant website, so I assumed it was some model that had been discontinued - as soo many ebay ads are.

 

[tepol]

They're maintenance free compared with normally spoked wheels which can run out of true, and they are much easier to clean. These three to six spoked wheels have largely taken over on motorcycles of course, usually in alloy on those though.

As you see on the electric version, only some Revive models have the plastic wheels, they vary with the gear system fitted.
.

Is that good or bad ie. when it comes to the model on ebay ?

matt

 

[flecc]

I think I'm correct is saying the plastic wheel versions use a derailleur gear with around 5 or 6 speeds. The spoked wheel versions used hub gears and the basic model only had a three speed so rather restricted gear range. Even by recumbent standards they are heavy.

I'm fairly certain the electric version is discontinued, but I don't know if the unpowered Revive is still made. It was never popular, but then that's true of all recumbents and semi-recumbents.
.

 

[Sir_Bob]

this bikes look like motobility scooters why would anyone by one

 

[flecc]

this bikes look like motobility scooters why would anyone by one

People sometimes just want to be different, some finding the usual bikes boring.

 

[piotrmacheta]

I've got a Velotechnik Spirit which is extremely comfortable and easy to ride. Great fun to ride but recumbents feel a bit slower than upright bikes (particularly up hills) - ripe for electrifying I say! In fact I am currently fitting an eZee kit to mine for commuting to work and will let all know how it goes. On-Bike were superb at getting me the 20" wheel btw.
If you look at Kinetics in Glasgow and Bikefix in London you can get a test ride. Another good make is ICE who I think have just started making 2 wheelers.

 

[daniel.weck]

Another good make is ICE who I think have just started making 2 wheelers.

ICE recumbent bikes were introduced in August 2008, I think.

Inspired Cycle Engineering, HPV makers specialising in recumbent trikes and bikes

I've only ever ridden their trikes, but the bikes look equally great (albeit eye-wateringly expensive...once all the required options boxes are ticked)