My new ride

[midnight armadillo]

It should arrive in a week or so. It's a Rans V-rex, purchased used. Wrist pain was preventing my touring bike from being fun after 10 miles. No wrist pain here. yay!

[Kolesar]

1. Looks fast

What kind of riding do you do? Roads or recreational trails?

[bhikkhu]

2. Let us know how it goes

I've always wondered about recumbents, from a roadie perspective: comfort, speed, general joy of the open road?

I've had so much fun on my mountain bike/commuter this summer I am currently almost done with two expanding projects: a new (from miscellaneous new and used parts) nice 19 lb road bike, and a fixie from an old donated Schwinn.

Could you rate the Rans V-rex on fun and practicality?

[Fumesucker]

3. My bikeE is like a two wheeled Barcalounger compared to any kind of upright bike..

My back was giving me fits on my MTB, even with BMX bars to let me sit upright.

SRAM seven speed derailleur with a three speed hub gives 21 gears. I like that the hub can be shifted while stopped and under power too.



The only issue I have is it is a bit harder to keep straight when climbing steep hills, I still tend to weave a bit when I have to slow down. I'm working on an electric assist unit for it since at my age it's getting a lot harder to get up some of the near 20% grades we have around here, it will drive the chain directly so I can channel the extra power through the gears like this unit here..

http://www.recumbents.com/wisil/tetz/e-assistmetric/



The water bottle holder lugs are right on the front of the stem up close to the handlebars, I made a little aluminum bracket to hold my cellphone/mp3 player and a couple of tiny self powered speakers.. Put on some nice energizing music while I ride. I took this pic right after I got the bike so it's not there. I've also fitted some brackets to the seat back that let me put an aluminum framed backpack there for cargo..

It's nice being able to continue pedaling while leaned over in the turns.

I got it off craigslist for $300, I doubt it had fifty miles on it.

The most interesting thing is that the seat will slide all the way up to touch the stem, even my eight year old granddaughter can ride it fairly easily.

[Fovea]

4. Great Bike!

My suggestion? if you do not now use SPD pedals, go get some.

And welcome to the dark side.