[email protected] (David Bogie) wrote in message
news:<
[email protected]>...
> I think this is the same range of reactions and opinions that you would get asking about 90% of
> the recumbents in the mass marektplace, if you can call our niche such a thing. Some of us like
> the Burley bikes, others do not. I enjoyed test riding the Limbo and Django but ended up with a
> Tour Easy. The three people I know who have owned Burley recumbents had nothing but problems. Not
> the incidental little weirdnesses that we all expect in new bikes; no, disastrous and potentially
> REALLY seriously bad frame, swing arm, and seat failures. Could have just been a bad batch.
>
>
> david, Boise ID
>
>
>
>
> LA <
[email protected]> wrote in message news:<
[email protected]>...
> > The seat is designed to absorb shock. There is an option to apply expensive but effective
> > aluminum supports, they work very well. I've been very happy with my HepCat and bought my wife
> > one. They are pricey, but they are very well designed and constructed. I have no complaints. My
> > neighbor also has one. He keeps it pretty stripped down and races it. I add all kinds of extras
> > and take long rides. If it were to be ripped off I'd buy another one.
> >
> > Lon HepCat
I own a Burley Taiko which, while technically a LWB recumbent, has the capability to be converted
into a SWB with similar handling characteristics of the Hepcat/Django. My experience has been
wonderful. I judge a bike primarily and foremost on the way it handles, rides and how comfortable is
it for extended rides. While the leather seat took a little while to get accustomed to, I'm now a
fan. It is firm not squishy like the Rans seat. (Have you ever wondered why all serious racing DF
bikes sport firm leather seats and most recumbent riders don't seem to be concerned about the amount
of energy lost through body motion in a soft seat?) The rear stays of the Taiko are assigned to act
as a passive suspension. Initially I thought this was just marketing hype but quickly became
convinced after extende rides on rough roads with 110psi in the tires. I've since added the rear
speed struts which stiffens up the back of the seat considerably but really does not interfere with
the passive suspension at all.
This bike has the best finish of any recumbent I've seen and most of the components work flawlessly.
Seat slippage was initially a problem but now solved with Burley's 2003 aluminum seat sliders.
Shimano brake pads were replaced with Koolstops almost immediately. Shimano pads eat aluminum rims
for breakfast.
I'm looking forward to converting to SWB in the Spring and might even try a more efficient tire than
the stock fat primos. I would buy this bike again. Is it perfect, no. Every bike becomes a
compromise between what you are personally looking for and what the manufacturer is emphasising. I
have owned a Lightning Phantom and currently own a BikeE NX a road and hybrid. So far this is my
favorite bike. Even this very cold N.E. winter where I have had to log too many hours on a fluid
trainer rather than the road, I prefered the Burley.
Gene Cosloy