Evox Semi-Recumbent Review - Page 2

My $0.02 is that if you're thinking of a recumbent, don't get something with a saddle! If you do, you've missed the whole point! From what I've seen, semi-bents are designed to be ridden 100 miles or less per year. They just aren't enthusiast-level machines. What they're good for is putzing around the trailer park with the grandkids or riding alongside the spouse on a jog. But then a cheap mountain bike could do the same thing.

The CCM lineup is barely above department store level. That bothers me to say, because my first serious road bike was a CCM; it had 531 tubing, tubular tires, and some nice componentry for its day. It's sad to see how low CCM has sunk. My opinion of the Quetzal (a hand-me-down design formerly known as the Peugeot C105, IIRC) isn't fit for print. But as uncomfortable and ugly as it is, at least it is a real recumbent.

If you are interested in getting a recumbent, then get a recumbent. If not, then stick with your upright.

joelguy - where in Michigan are you? I'm in the Lansing area.

Well, this is certainly a prejudicial rant and one not really worth replying to. Rather than encouraging this sort of bike or dissing out that sort of bike, I'll repeat what I said before. Get out on lots of bikes and buy the one you like best and which is within your budget.

I wonder why Blazingpedals feels it to be so necessary to insult other rider's choices? BTW, I routinely ride my Evox 25 to 40 km at a time and have an absolute riot doing so.

Cheers

Charles

__________________
"If something is worth doing, it's worth doing poorly."

"My other car's a Bianchi!"

Well said Bentriderlon! I'm sure that blazingpedals opinion is barely worth the 2 cents he claims. There are some issues with his post that need to be clarified. He warns people not to get a recumbent with a saddle but the famous Rans seat is a combination of a wide foam covered saddle with a full length back rest buckled to the back of the saddle. The Rans back rest is supported by rods that attach to the rear axle. I concede that the Evox back rest is not full length but it is effective nonetheless. The stock saddle on the Evox is a Drifter and it is 10 or 11 inches across so it is not a racing saddle by any means.

blazingpedals continues to prove his ignorance of the bike in question by claiming that he can only ride 100 miles or less in a year. Maybe I shouldn't poke fun of his disabilities. After all, many grandfathers would be glad to be able to chase his wife around the trailer park while she jogs ahead of him. Obviously, blazingpedals has never seen the higher end of the CCM Evox line or he would know that the components are well above the standard fare at Kmart. CCM is also offering a mid range class of the Evox that does have mid range components and if this is all he can afford, the Evox 140 is the best recumbent in his budget. When he boasts about his first CCM, he should be reminded that the mid range components available in the Evox 140 are superior in design and materials to the ancient parts he claims. Besides that, tubular tires would never stand up to the day to day use of an Evox for commuting. CCM has changed ownership since those days and they do offer a wide range of quality to fit everyone's budget. As a matter of fact, they always did.

The Quetzal LE that I referenced in my orginal post is exactly the same bike as the Evox LE. It is not a fully recumbent like blazingpedals insists. If he had taken the time to actually go to the links posted in my original review, he would not seem so misinformed. Finally, can you imagine if someone said " If you are interested in getting a pickup truck, then get a pickup truck. If not, then stick with your car!" There would be no SUV's! Maybe we should have listened!

I am not dissatified with the quality of the components on my Evox. They do the job and get me around. I'd like a higher quality gruppo and will probably upgrade when my budget allows. For now, all I really want is a rack to match the bike. I have a Blackburn "knock-off" on there now and, while it works it rides high and does not complement the curved lines of the bike. I see that Evox makes a rack and markets it for an astounding $40.00! I'll be ordering one this week or next.

I turned the seat mount around as you suggested and set the parls above the seat rails. What a difference! The pain is gone and I can ride as far as I like. Thx for the tip. Blazingpedals advice was to sell it before it lost its resale value, which I see as totally unnecessary. I guess that was the same bias talking.

Gud riding!

Charles

__________________
"If something is worth doing, it's worth doing poorly."

"My other car's a Bianchi!"

Bentriderlon,

Please inspect your frame for the appropriate mounting points for the rack from www.quetzal.ca because this rack requires two brazed-on mounting points on each side of the tubing that runs down to the back wheel. A friend of mine has an Evox 140 and the frame is not equipped with the same mounting points. There is a picture of the Mikado Quetzal LE (same bike as Evox LE) here.

http://www.mikadobicycles.com/images...HR/C224782.jpg

It will show where the rack mount points are located just above and just below the brake posts. I hope you can make it work.

I posted some pics of my bike here.

http://photobucket.com/albums/b201/C...rent=bike3.jpg

The whole point is very simple: when all things are considered, the bike you are riding is the bike you want to ride continuously because it simply feels right and you are happy with its feel on the road and its overall performance that you in the end find perfectly acceptable! Whether the bike is recumbent or semi-recumbent is essentially irrelavent, for if you find satisfaction with your Evox or I with my CG STX, where is the logic of nit-picking the experiences of other wonderful people: I stand corrected on a previous post where-in I suggested that the Evox was ergonomically inferior to recumbents such as mine! I've seen the photos of the Evox, and I really can't find any fault with it; at least I've seen evidence that some riders find this bike to be a satisfactory performer, and that is all that really matters, because people are going to ride bikes that they really like as opposed to riding bikes that cause you pain and dissatisfaction! My ultra-expensive Litespeed of five years ago caused me some dissatisfaction. My CG STX has not after one year of riding it, so, there you are!!

I'm back again. I have made some changes to my Evox that result in what is rapidly becoming a fine bent. I replaced the stock saddle with a bigger seat. This has upped the comfort level enormously. I also removed a Shimano 200 GS crankset from an old mountain bike no one uses. (I have really canibalized this bike - it is pretty much frame bar and wheels at this point.) Mounted on the Evox, this uses Biopace rings and is a better colour match to the frame. With the new crankset, the chain line was shifted out slightly, and the chain was tapping the chainguard when under power. Off came the chainguard! I figured it only to be ornamental anyway and now there is no annoying tapping racket. I think the bike actually looks better with it off. You can better see the line of the tubes.

I've attached a few pics.

Cheers

Attached Thumbnails

     

__________________
"If something is worth doing, it's worth doing poorly."

"My other car's a Bianchi!"

Your Evox looks really cool: good job!! Speaking of alterations, on my CG STX, I've added a set of fenders and switched to a new hamster handlebar with a whopping 4-inch rise! This results in my arms completely down to my sides and keeps me way laid back on my seat; the comfort level has gone from excellent to even better!! Much happy riding to you!

Thx for the complement. I have increased the sizes of the posted photos so the viewer can get a better look. (And yes, the chainrings need a cleaning!) Love to see your bike. Do you have a picture you could post?

...charles

Attached Thumbnails

     

__________________
"If something is worth doing, it's worth doing poorly."

"My other car's a Bianchi!"

Will post pics as soon as my brother shows me how, as I continually go online on his computer! Meanwhile, yesterday at work, I built a Sun EZ-3 delta trike that now sits on our showroom floor awaiting for anyone to purchase! IMHO, anyone interested in a recumbent trike should opt for the tadpole style for better if not safer handling. I also got a chance to ride a Dura ace equipped Cannondale Synapse carbon composite road bike as the C'dale reps were visiting our shop. This bike weighs just 16 pounds and retails for just over four grand, but even though this beautiful bike screams SPEED, my more than twice as heavy CLWB CG STX is vastly more comfortable to ride!

Does anyone know of a shock fork that will fit an Evox 140. I am interested in off-road riding and a shock would help the front wheel to remain on the ground.

Thx

Charles

__________________
"If something is worth doing, it's worth doing poorly."

"My other car's a Bianchi!"

Check out a google search for Meks Recumbent Suspension Fork and you will see a few links for the Meks Carbon Forks in the 20 inch size you need. They are a bit pricey but they are made for the job. There are even a few Meks forks available on Ebay.

Thanks for the tip. I have since written to the company and they tell me a suspension fork would not be very effective as the bike has a 15 degree rake. I'll probably just ride it on the trails and see how it works out. Come on spring!!

Charles

__________________
"If something is worth doing, it's worth doing poorly."

"My other car's a Bianchi!"

Generally speaking I am fairly happy with my Evox 140. I used it to get back into biking after having hip replacement surgery. However the seat and the back rest are just terrible which causes the most fatigue. Has anybody found any alternative seats and how do you get rid of that horrible "lumbar support" piece

I haven't seen any seats that would work. I have been thinking about fabricating a proper seat back, but I have limited time for such projects. The back wouldn't be a problem, but attaching it would take some thought. The existing back would have to be sawed off.

Cheers

Charles

__________________
"If something is worth doing, it's worth doing poorly."

"My other car's a Bianchi!"