Leading off the LWB section with the FIRST post!

Wow, a real FIRST for me!

Anyway, I ride a Longbikes Slipstream (see www.longbikes.com).

I moved form DF to LWB recumbents as I got tired of stiff backs and hands going numb. This aging
business is really taking it;s toll on me! Anyway, I had never even ridden a LWB recumbent before I
forked over the 'big bucks' for a semi-custom Slipstream. As I am no lightweight and on the tall side,
I got it with beefier wheels, a longer frame, and a custom color paintjob.

I love the LWB. The underseat steeering was everything I expected it would be, even though I had
never ridden anything like it before. I truly "had it down" in one block of riding, though I can say I
am not anywhere as nimble on this thing as a DF bike. Tight turns are simply non-existent as the
bike is (end to end) in the area of just ender 7' long.

OTOH, the long wheelbase makes for a nice smooth ride like a good DF touring bike.

So there ya go, a bit on my bike and why I like it, and the first LWB post fo the forum!

Dan

We demand bike porn!

Mark

I'm currently riding my first LWB, too. I have a Rans Stratus XP, which is an ASS dual 26". Steel frame, and nothing but COMFORTABLE! It has a full fairing, which made it bearable commuting to work when the temp was 0 degrees F. I know what Dano means about "the age thing", and I could stand to lose some weight, too. I haven't given up on the "safety bike", as I still use it for most of my commuting and daily transportation. The Rans is my "fun bike", for long weekend rides with my buddies.

My main reason for moving to the recumbent was to be more able to keep up with my buddies on their road bikes. In fact, a lot of times, I end up doing a lot of coasting when I ride with them, waiting for them to catch up.

I consider the Stratus XP to be a touring bike, and it is GREAT on the long day rides. You get off after 60 or so miles, and NOTHING HURTS! Neck, back, shoulders, elbows, hands, wrists...NOTHING! I see my buddies occasionally dangle a hand down at their sides, and shake them, trying to get the circulation going, again, and I sympathize with them, remembering how I used to do the same thing!

Negatives: As Dano said, not very nimble! Takes an acre to turn it around! lol Not very good at long, steep climbs, but, I'm not very good on climbs, anyway, no matter WHAT I'm riding. Hard to transport, due to the length. Hard to find a way to lock it...bikeracks won't work (as if there was any such thing as a bike rack in this town.)

So far, overall, I'm very happy with the bike, as it suits the purpose for which I bought it. In the future, if I decide to go totally recumbent, I may consider a short wheelbase for an everyday bike.

I like the Longbikes Slipstream, it's just that it's out of my price range right now. Currently riding an Infinity LWB, picture to the left and more in the long wheelbase photo section. I really like this bike very comfortable for long (for me) rides. I like not having the handlebars in front of me to disturb the panoramic view.

That being said I'm off to pick up my new bent in the morning. A SWB with Above Seat Steering. Impressions and pictures to follow in their appropriate sections.

I, too, ride a Longbike Slipstream. I started out on 'bents' with a Longbike Vanguard that I bought used off the internet ~10 years ago; at that time I had carpal tunnel problems commuting on a hybrid bike. After many treatments by an extraordinary chiropractor, my hands healed and I sought out a used recumbent to get the pressure off my hands, and the rest is history. I won't go back to a 'wedgie'.

I have done some short (5-7 days) self contained and supported rides; this past summer I added an Extrawheel trailer to carry my gear. It worked great! Hope to use it more this year.

I just got a new to me Rans Stratus and rode it this past weekend. After always riding SWB bikes that sure is a lot of bike to steer, but what a comfy ride!!! I'll keep the V-Rex for my commuter but the Rans will be my everyday joy ride.

Bike porn, please!

Mark

I don't know how to post an image here. I'll have to play with it tomorrrow after work. Do you need to have a certain number of posts to be able to post an image?

rydabyk wrote:I don't know how to post an image here. I'll have to play with it tomorrrow after work. Do you need to have a certain number of posts to be able to post an image?

No you can post photos at anytime. Posting pictures is simple. Click on New Topic when ready to post, the second set of boxes from the right contain (Host image, Image, Link, Flash and Video ) and you should be able to post your picture or link from there. I just use the Image and enter the URL. If you have problems let me know.

I think I may have this photo posting thing figured out. Here is the new to me Stratus, it sure is comfy...

Nice looking ride!

Mark

One of these days I've got to ride a Rans. I'm not real fond of the EZ seat and am curious if the Rans is better.

I have the Formula andI didn't care for the Rans seat, I switched it out to the Bacchetta seat. Lot more comfy.

Huh... I always thought the Bachetta and RANS seats were about the same. You learn something every day!

Mark

I love my Rans seats. Of course the only other ones I've tried have been the Bacchetta ones, I haven't ridden the recurve enough to form an opinion on it. I don't really care for the Euromesh. In fact, I'm probably going to change the Euromesh seat on my Giro. No matter where I put the seat it's not anywhere near as comfortable as the Rans, next step is to try another seat.

Walt

I always felt like I was falling out of the Rans seat with its fall away top where the Baccetta Euromesh comes up and in at the top and kinda holds me in place, but there are those who have the opposite opinion, that's why they make so many different styles (to each hes own.)

Once I tried a hardshell seat, I'm not sure I could go back to a mesh seat. OTOH, I liked Brooks saddles on my uprights, too.

Mark

rydabyk

I see you have the Stratus LE like I do. Rans seems to be pushing the large front wheels some what. However I chose the LE because it has the 20 inch front wheel. My reasoning is that it has less inertia and less drag. Also as on most LWB recumbents the front wheel only has to carry about 40% of the weight.

I had a Rans Tailwind first, and with the two 20" wheels it accelerated amazingly fast. The Stratus is not quite as fast getting up to speed. I dont think too many people understand rotational inertia as it applies to bike wheels. But that being said the Stratus does ride a lot better with the large rear wheel. It also has more room on the back for a rack.

The other thing I like about the small front wheel on the Stratus is that I can ride that bike on a chalk line, both when starting out and even at s...l...o...w speeds when climbing. I also agree with the earlier post regarding the curve of the Bacchetta recurve vs. the Rans. It does seem to "hold" you in a little better.

Walt

R42Pilot wrote: OTOH, I liked Brooks saddles on my uprights, too.

Mark

Does someone else make saddles

Oh yea, I guess they do, my Surly came with one, I rode it one day and the new Brooks that I ordered came in and it immediately went on the bike. It's not broken in yet but it's still awful comfortable.

Walt

I've got the Specialized Expedition Plus saddle on my Giant. Very comfortable as far as upright saddles go.

I've read some posts, on other forums, about some owners of the EZ Sport swapping their fork and 20" front tire out for a 26". They seem to be positive about it, but I've always wondered about turning radius.

Also, I've hit some big pieces of gravel with the front wheel of my Giant and felt the larger wheel wanted to jerk the handlebars out of my hands. I'm not sure that it would have that same effect on the LWB EZ Sport, because you don't have the weight of your arms and upper body bearing down on the front wheel, but I've noticed that the 20" just seems to plow some pretty big rocks right out of the way. Anybody else have a thought?

I had a thought once, but it got lonely and left...

Nightturkey wrote:I had a thought once, but it got lonely and left...

I woulda thought, as an afterthought, that ANY thought you had would have taken up residence in the friendly confines of YOUR noggin, Nightturkey!

Ya know...I thought I thaw a putty tat just to the left and above me....

Yep, looks like mine, and I agreee on the comfy