Opinions please...which SWB/USS?

Middle-age male (6'1" / 210) seeks new recumbent. Average non-athlete type, will ride for enjoyment
and excercise. Paved roads (not necessarily smooth). Mostly a weekend warrior.

I have enjoyed test rides on both a Horizon and an R-40, and (years ago) have extensive time on a
Vanguard. I'm convinced that this time around I want a fully suspended SWB/USS.

My initial thoughts are an R-50 or a StreetMachine GT. I welcome all opinions on these bikes (pro or
con), or any others that I should be considering.

High-importance items on my list include reliability and ride comfort. I'd like to say money is no
object, but that would be a lie.

Thanks for your help!

 

"cjw" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> Middle-age male (6'1" / 210) seeks new recumbent. Average non-athlete
type,
> will ride for enjoyment and excercise. Paved roads (not necessarily smooth). Mostly a weekend
> warrior.
>
> I have enjoyed test rides on both a Horizon and an R-40, and (years ago) have extensive time on a
> Vanguard. I'm convinced that this time around I want a fully suspended SWB/USS.
>
> My initial thoughts are an R-50 or a StreetMachine GT. I welcome all opinions on these bikes (pro
> or con), or any others that I should be considering.
>
> High-importance items on my list include reliability and ride comfort.
I'd
> like to say money is no object, but that would be a lie.
>
> Thanks for your help!
>
You can't go wrong with the Horizon, if your feet touch the ground! Seriously though, either the
Vision or the Haluzak will be a great bike. The HPV is a little heavier then either I think and may
therefore affect climbing performance. The reliability of the Haluzak bikes is legendary. I know of
one ARBR denizen who rode his HHR across country twice with absolutely no service.

<Chas> whose feet barely reach the ground Haluzak Hybrid Race -- the inline wheelchair

 

i'd put the www.organicengines.com Vapor on your short list. Lower seat height than both you're
looking at, and IMO a better seat.

cjw wrote:
> Middle-age male (6'1" / 210) seeks new recumbent. Average non-athlete type, will ride for
> enjoyment and excercise. Paved roads (not necessarily smooth). Mostly a weekend warrior.
>
> I have enjoyed test rides on both a Horizon and an R-40, and (years ago) have extensive time on a
> Vanguard. I'm convinced that this time around I want a fully suspended SWB/USS.
>
> My initial thoughts are an R-50 or a StreetMachine GT. I welcome all opinions on these bikes (pro
> or con), or any others that I should be considering.
>
> High-importance items on my list include reliability and ride comfort. I'd like to say money is no
> object, but that would be a lie.
>
> Thanks for your help!

 

"cjw" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> Middle-age male (6'1" / 210) seeks new recumbent. Average non-athlete type, will ride for
> enjoyment and excercise. Paved roads (not necessarily smooth). Mostly a weekend warrior.
>
> I have enjoyed test rides on both a Horizon and an R-40, and (years ago) have extensive time on a
> Vanguard. I'm convinced that this time around I want a fully suspended SWB/USS.
>
> My initial thoughts are an R-50 or a StreetMachine GT. I welcome all opinions on these bikes (pro
> or con), or any others that I should be considering.
>
> High-importance items on my list include reliability and ride comfort. I'd like to say money is no
> object, but that would be a lie.
>
> Thanks for your help!

I bought a Streetmachine GT last Autumn, and have been very pleased with it. I use it for a hilly 10
mile commute in Surrey, UK.

To start with it is a little heavy, but this is compared to my mountain bike - I'm not sure how
it compares to other recumbents. This was quite noticeable on a couple of hills, but I still
get up 100 m
climb (1in 6 in places) along the way.

Goes down hills very nice and steady – feels much safer than my mountain bike. It will quite happily
freewheel down Reigate Hill at about 47mph – though to be honest I can't really peddle much faster
than this safely anyway!

Build quality is excellent. I'm 6ft 2, about 13 stone, and find the seat extremely comfortable – but
it's important to make sure you get the right seat size – I think there's 3 or 4 different sizes.

I find the USS very comfortable, and a very natural place to hold by arms. The only problem is
mounting stuff on the handlebars – but I've managed to get an extended bar end mirror and Air Zound
horn on it and they don't get in the way.

I'd say full suspension is a must on a recumbent – but then I haven't ridden one without it, so I
could be wrong.

If money were no object – I'd go for the disc brakes, and hub dynamo lighting system (I did). If
money were totally irrelevant – I'd go for the Rohloff 14 speed hub gear (I didn't L) – it would
address one of the cons – if you stop in the wrong gear you can't just lift the back wheel and spin
– though I guess this holds for most recumbents.

Andy Welch posted a good review of his test ride on a Street Machine, which helped convince me…
http://andywelch.homestead.com/SMRoadTest.html

Hope this helps,

Cheers, Leigh.

To email - replace google with leigh.

 

IMHO, you're looking in the right direction. The HP Velotechnik is a great suspended bike. I have ridden one and one of its direct predecessors (Nils Palm Wind).

They have a smooth ride and great reliability.

Derek

 

> Seriously though, either the Vision or the Haluzak will be a great bike. The HPV is a little
> heavier then either I think and may therefore affect climbing performance. The reliability of the
> Haluzak bikes is legendary. I know of one ARBR denizen who rode his HHR across country twice with
> absolutely no service.
>
> <Chas> whose feet barely reach the ground Haluzak Hybrid Race -- the inline wheelchair

And then there's this Visionary who did it on an R44: http://www.uky.edu/UKAcrossAmerica/

<Gary> who's not really all that connected with the ground, who just converted his R44 from
USS to OSS.

 

Looks like the Vapor is OSS only, didn't see an USS option.

Kurt

"bentbiker" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> i'd put the www.organicengines.com Vapor on your short list. Lower seat height than both you're
> looking at, and IMO a better seat.
>
> cjw wrote:
> > Middle-age male (6'1" / 210) seeks new recumbent. Average non-athlete
type,
> > will ride for enjoyment and excercise. Paved roads (not necessarily smooth). Mostly a weekend
> > warrior.
> >
> > I have enjoyed test rides on both a Horizon and an R-40, and (years ago) have extensive time on
> > a Vanguard. I'm convinced that this time around
I
> > want a fully suspended SWB/USS.
> >
> > My initial thoughts are an R-50 or a StreetMachine GT. I welcome all opinions on these bikes
> > (pro or con), or any others that I should be considering.
> >
> > High-importance items on my list include reliability and ride comfort.
I'd
> > like to say money is no object, but that would be a lie.
> >
> > Thanks for your help!
> >

 

Dan offers a linkage USS set up, mine's on the way!

Kurt wrote:
> Looks like the Vapor is OSS only, didn't see an USS option.
>
> Kurt
>
> "bentbiker" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
>>i'd put the www.organicengines.com Vapor on your short list. Lower seat height than both you're
>>looking at, and IMO a better seat.
>>
>>cjw wrote:
>>
>>>Middle-age male (6'1" / 210) seeks new recumbent. Average non-athlete
>>
> type,
>
>>>will ride for enjoyment and excercise. Paved roads (not necessarily smooth). Mostly a weekend
>>>warrior.
>>>
>>>I have enjoyed test rides on both a Horizon and an R-40, and (years ago) have extensive time on a
>>>Vanguard. I'm convinced that this time around
>>
> I
>
>>>want a fully suspended SWB/USS.
>>>
>>>My initial thoughts are an R-50 or a StreetMachine GT. I welcome all opinions on these bikes (pro
>>>or con), or any others that I should be considering.
>>>
>>>High-importance items on my list include reliability and ride comfort.
>>
> I'd
>
>>>like to say money is no object, but that would be a lie.
>>>
>>>Thanks for your help!
>>>
>>>
>>

 

Seems like he ought to mention that on the web page for the vapor!

--
Greg Dunn

"bentbiker" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> Dan offers a linkage USS set up, mine's on the way!
>
> Kurt wrote:
> > Looks like the Vapor is OSS only, didn't see an USS option.
> >
> > Kurt
> >
> > "bentbiker" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> >
> >>i'd put the www.organicengines.com Vapor on your short list. Lower seat height than both you're
> >>looking at, and IMO a better seat.
> >>
> >>cjw wrote:
> >>
> >>>Middle-age male (6'1" / 210) seeks new recumbent. Average non-athlete
> >>
> > type,
> >
> >>>will ride for enjoyment and excercise. Paved roads (not necessarily smooth). Mostly a weekend
> >>>warrior.
> >>>
> >>>I have enjoyed test rides on both a Horizon and an R-40, and (years
ago)
> >>>have extensive time on a Vanguard. I'm convinced that this time around
> >>
> > I
> >
> >>>want a fully suspended SWB/USS.
> >>>
> >>>My initial thoughts are an R-50 or a StreetMachine GT. I welcome all opinions on these bikes
> >>>(pro or con), or any others that I should be considering.
> >>>
> >>>High-importance items on my list include reliability and ride comfort.
> >>
> > I'd
> >
> >>>like to say money is no object, but that would be a lie.
> >>>
> >>>Thanks for your help!
> >>>
> >>>
> >>
> >

 

I wonder why Bill Haluzak hasn't created a version of his seat like the Organic Engine's, with a
downward-curved front. Seems like the major knock on the Haluzaks, for years, has been the problem
of getting one's feet on the ground when stopped, and it looks like a simple modification like that
one could go a long way to solving the problem. Modifying the front to give it more of a v-shape
would go ever further. It can't be that hard.

The only thing that stopped me from buying a Horizon three years ago when I was stopping for a
recumbent was the toe-touch problem. Otherwise I *loved* the bike!

--
Greg Dunn

"bentbiker" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> i'd put the www.organicengines.com Vapor on your short list. Lower seat height than both you're
> looking at, and IMO a better seat.
>
> cjw wrote:
> > Middle-age male (6'1" / 210) seeks new recumbent. Average non-athlete
type,
> > will ride for enjoyment and excercise. Paved roads (not necessarily smooth). Mostly a weekend
> > warrior.
> >
> > I have enjoyed test rides on both a Horizon and an R-40, and (years ago) have extensive time on
> > a Vanguard. I'm convinced that this time around
I
> > want a fully suspended SWB/USS.
> >
> > My initial thoughts are an R-50 or a StreetMachine GT. I welcome all opinions on these bikes
> > (pro or con), or any others that I should be considering.
> >
> > High-importance items on my list include reliability and ride comfort.
I'd
> > like to say money is no object, but that would be a lie.
> >
> > Thanks for your help!
> >

 

I solved the problem by loosening the front strap so my feet could touch the ground. This was well
within the limits of the velcro strap.

Snowman Haluzak Horizon Hybrid 2002

"Greg Dunn" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> I wonder why Bill Haluzak hasn't created a version of his seat like the Organic Engine's, with a
> downward-curved front. Seems like the major knock on the Haluzaks, for years, has been the problem
> of getting one's feet on the ground when stopped, and it looks like a simple modification like
> that one could go a long way to solving the problem. Modifying the front to give it more of a
> v-shape would go ever further. It can't be that hard.
>
> The only thing that stopped me from buying a Horizon three years ago when I was stopping for a
> recumbent was the toe-touch problem. Otherwise I *loved* the bike!
>
> --
> Greg Dunn
>
>
> "bentbiker" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > i'd put the www.organicengines.com Vapor on your short list. Lower seat height than both you're
> > looking at, and IMO a better seat.
> >
> > cjw wrote:
> > > Middle-age male (6'1" / 210) seeks new recumbent. Average non-athlete
> type,
> > > will ride for enjoyment and excercise. Paved roads (not necessarily smooth). Mostly a weekend
> > > warrior.
> > >
> > > I have enjoyed test rides on both a Horizon and an R-40, and (years ago) have extensive time
> > > on a Vanguard. I'm convinced that this time around
> I
> > > want a fully suspended SWB/USS.
> > >
> > > My initial thoughts are an R-50 or a StreetMachine GT. I welcome all opinions on these bikes
> > > (pro or con), or any others that I should be considering.
> > >
> > > High-importance items on my list include reliability and ride comfort.
> I'd
> > > like to say money is no object, but that would be a lie.
> > >
> > > Thanks for your help!
> > >
> > >

 

"Snowman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I solved the problem by loosening the front strap so my feet could touch the ground. This was well
> within the limits of the velcro strap.
>
> Snowman Haluzak Horizon Hybrid 2002

Thats something I didn't try (it wasn't my bike) but I still don't like the "horns" of the seat
frame sticking out the sides

 

bentcruiser wrote:
>
> IMHO, you're looking in the right direction. The HP Velotechnik is a great suspended bike. I have
> ridden one and one of its direct predecessors (Nils Palm Wind)....

The Nils Palm Wind was a (unapproved) clone of the first generation HPVelotechnik Streetmachine, not
a predecessor.

Tom Sherman - Various HPV's Quad Cities USA (Illinois side)

 

as Ed McMahon used to say to johnny "you are correct sir" also the nils palm gecko was a knock off
clone of the now HPVelotechnik Wavey

Tom Sherman wrote:
> bentcruiser wrote:
>
>>IMHO, you're looking in the right direction. The HP Velotechnik is a great suspended bike. I have
>>ridden one and one of its direct predecessors (Nils Palm Wind)....
>
>
> The Nils Palm Wind was a (unapproved) clone of the first generation HPVelotechnik Streetmachine,
> not a predecessor.
>
> Tom Sherman - Various HPV's Quad Cities USA (Illinois side)

 

I'll throw in my 2 cents for the Haluzaks. I've got a somewhat customized Horizon--disk brakes and
light weight AMP suspension fork.
W/any suspension fork, however, the Haluzaks will give a very nice ride. I rode a Lightning Phantom
before, and the rough roads, cattle guards, etc. that I have to deal with around here were
sometimes pretty traumatic! I've found the Horizon to be very comfortable--and, as noted, a good
deal lighter than the Street Machine. I now blast over those cattle guards and other rough patches
with abandon. They are now non-events. I suppose the SM would be even smoother, but I just can't
fault the ride quality of the Haluzak w/front suspension. To save even more weight, you could go
with a Pantour front hub.
X/the flex in the rear fork, a Pantour in the rear seems overkill--though if your roads were REALLY
bad, that would be an option, too.

Oh, one concern, however: The Haluzak does not carry heavy loads too well on that rear fork. For big
tours, a two-wheeled trailer seems to be the best option. For heavy touring without a trailer, the
SM might be a better choice as I've heard it carries big loads very well.

But, really, they are both great bikes. I'd love a SM, too! I'm also lusting after a Longbikes
Slipstream...and others. Sigh, so many bikes, so few dollars...

Scott Haluzak Horizon Greenspeed tandem