aportteus said:
The " Catch "-Be prepared for extensive assembly, the bikes are shiped in a less completed form to reduce package size & shipping cost. Also the Bottom brackets on the recent shipment have been a problem. Actionbent warrantee program is good on this matter. Lastly, the idler wheel/chainline set up, & seat angle adjustment is less not exactly optimal, most owners have modified the systems(see yahoo group actionbent for details)
The "Reward"- Very nice short wheel base, similar in handleing to the Rans V-Rex. Comfy seat, most components are decent. this bike is light & fast, resonably well made. If you enjoy tinkering, most of the issues have been worked out by others.
HELLO ONE AND ALL,,l,, There have been a lot of eyeballs here,, so I would like to suggest that maybe you would be interested in also checking out the yahoo actionbent group. There are lots of initeresting posts,, some of which are contradictory to what is being said here. I have an ab bike,, and have been sorely disappointed. Its copycat engineering,,at its rather mediocre lackluster. For folks who must have the lowest cost bike,,its ok,,if they are a real good bike mechanic,,and realize that any warrany support,,,,is phone or email,,and there is literally no one at the sellers location who is actually doing repairs or setup. This is mail order,,with all that entails,, including,,you bust it,,,,, and may be we will send you another one,,when we get one in. With actionbent,, there are warranty issues ,,,,,with the mono fork that they built about fifteen of,,none of them are good except one that I am aware of. These guys cant weld straight or inspect,,one or the other. They certainly must have welded that for without a fixture,,or worse,, a bad fixture then never checked them. There are complaints of pulling to the left with it. With the road runner,,there is one report of a bent swingarm from going over a curb. Fortunately the swing arm was replaceable,, but stilll,,,,,,,,I have ridden all my recums over curbs,,but gently and never broke a thing except for comfort. If you indeed are going to buy or have to be in that price range,, consider a used rans or something. But if you buy the ab,,buy the simplest and oldest model,,there will be less likely to be problems that arent fixable immediately and you will end up with more fun. I think that the EZ bikes,,are a better choice if you have to buy lo end in the recumbents. At least you get a dealer,, with support,,even though they are a litttle heavier. Go EZ or used at these price levels. Good luck.