What is the best recumbent?

cchs

My xseam is about 39" (about 99cm) what kid of a recumbent would best fit me that is under 1000 US Dollars? Im currently looking at an actiobent bike

R40

Not sure, but look at this one http://www.ransbikes.com/ITRFusionEvolution.htm

Looks really cool and seems to be fast on hills

I have a Vision R40 and im not too happy with it, climbing hills with the Vision r40 is really slow, mabe its me -but this guy has a Rans Rocket and he kicks my butt when i climb any steep hill with him

Before you buy, look around and find what you like the best!

Tom

Bop Bop

As with anything it is personal preference. What one person likes maybe different from another. I ride a EZ Sport, it's cost is slightly above what you are looking at, but I love it. Go to a LBS that specializes in Recumbents, if none in the area maybe a LBS that has a good selection of "bents". Try them out, ride the Long Wheel Bases and Short Wheel Bases. Try the different types of steering each offers, under and over carriage.

Do your homework before you go. Check out things on the net, not only in this Forum but others. Read the manufactures web sites, ask questions. Then make your selection. Remember in the long run it's your money and your cycle.

kanbear

Man, that's like asking what's the best shoe! Dependes on what you want to do with it.

Opinions are like noses (substitute your favorite singular anatomical part) everybody has one.

My opinion, the RANS Rocket is the best bike for for the price. Visions don't climb well, weigh too much and too much weight on the front.

Short Wheel Base bents tend to be lighter and climb better and are lighter. Problem with Compact Long Wheel Base and Long Wheel Base is that they are heavy, don't climb well and don't steer as quickly. They feel better initially but you out grow them quickly. I have run into very few performance based long wheel base bents.

Just got back from the Hottern Hell Hundred. Every bent at the front of that ride was a short wheel base bent. Mostly Bacchetta's. Had a couple Bacchetta's run under 4 hours for the 100 miles.

Unfortunately, to get into a Bacchetta, you're talking $1500 on the low end.

Basically, riding a bent for the first time is scary and people tend to go with what they feel safe on. Unfortunately what feels safe is easily out grown and 6 months later when you learn how to ride it, you're looking to get performance and you can't get it from an entry level bent.

The Rans Rocket is an entry level bent that can be ridden at the lower end of the performance level by simply changing wheels.

That said, I'd go with a double 700c or 650c high racer if I could afford it. You won't outgrow it as fast.


Steve

garylgray

I doubt if you'll find anything on the market today to match the ActionBent value or design. Randy (president) sells from his home, so there is no shop rent, sales staff, distributor etc. I have just purchased the ActionBent - TitleWaveII through Ebay and wisely chose to use some of the money I saved and have a bike shop assemble it for $70. Randy will talk the shop through any problems that might occur. The TTWII has better components and quick under seat steering takes a bit to get use to, but makes a comfortable bike even more so. I’m having a blast with the TTWaveII and I’m sure you’ll enjoy what ever you purchase from ActionBent. PS - don't expect a big jump in speed for your using somewhat different muscles than a standard bike.

tecln

Hi,,,,,I see that this thread is fairly old, but since newbies may be looking in, here goes. I think that a long wheelbase is probably the safest bike for this person with an exseam that short. Ive found to my chagrin,,that if you cant put both feet flat on the ground immediately from the riding seated position, youre putting yourself into a situation thats less safe. Yes, I do have the gravel rash to prove it,haha. The long wheelbase bikes tend to have lower seat heights, and I must say, if youre wanting pure speed, a high quality long wheelbase bike can hold you enthused a long long time. Ive had a lwb since 1991,, have put wheel fairings on it ,,and a mueeller fairng on the front, have found that its as fast if not faster than anything else I own, and that includes a hi racer homebuilt, and a couple of other swb bikes. I suggest that you look for used bikes in the long wheelbase mode to satisfy your safety and speed needs. There are times when a good used tour easy, rans stratus or vee squared or even a lemle lightning lwb can be had for under a thousand on the used market. These are all excellent performance bikes. I read someones quote a few days ago,he has both a rans vee squared and a vee rex, rode them both over the same route, similar situations, he consistently is faster with the vee squared. I do agree wholeheartedly with another poster that the Rans Rocket is a good bike, and if it meets your safety needs, can get both feet flat on the ground,, easily, and its in your budget,,buy it !!!.. I cant recommend the actionbike line at present at all. There are quality probs all over the place with those, they are just getting started in recums and dont have the experience with recums to do it right at all yet. If you absolutely must go with an ab bike, the oldest models are the ones that are most trouble free, every time they come out with new models, they dont test them and put them on the market and let the new buyer do the beta testing for them is what it looks like. Reportedly ab will be coming out with a long wheelbase bike, this should be quite a simple machine to make and perhaps that one will be better as a new model. I hope youz all have a good one, spring has sprung, get out there and ride. Smile.

funbun

What are you gonna use it for: fun riding, racing, touring, commuting? These factors will help determine what type you'll need.