RANS BIKES AND COMPANY

Let me kick of this thread by saying Im a very satisfied owner of a Rans Stratus. I got started with bents 5 years ago. The LBS had a leftover 2004 Tailwind that they gave me a good deal on. After a few rides I was totally hooked on bents. My road bike and mountain bike hung in the basement gathering dust. I retired 2 years ago, and freedom to ride went way up. So I sold the Tailwind (for just $200 less than I payed for it) and bought my Stratus. The main reasons for the Stratus was more room on the rear for a rack to carry a trunk pack. Also the 26 in rear tire made it faster and and gave a better ride. The welds and the paint on both are first class. Shifting with the Sram componets is flawless. Rans adjustable seat and handle bars make it easy to get a position that fits exactly where I want it. I now have 5800 miles on the bike with no problems what so ever. With the cost and quality of the Stratus, I feel it has the best bang for the buck on the market.

BTW the Rans company have fantastic customer support. I attended the Rans rally last year and this year. You can tell they like what they do and appreciate their customers. They even sent me a thankyou card for attending the rally.

Also have a RANS Stratus that I am very satisfied with... I like the handleing and I am more of a Long Wheel Base kind of guy...that means I feel more comfortable on a LWB...
peace

Yes I too think the LWB bents are the most user friendly. The lower riding position, the cranks below the seat some, and the rear weight bias make for a very safe bike too. I find mine very easy to handle in town and on bike paths where a lot of starting and stopping is needed.

I am now up to 8000 miles on the Stratus. Still no troubles at all, just regular maintence. I did upgrade the RD to a Sram 7, as the Sram 3 that came on the bike didnt have the jockey and tension wheels that could be removed for service. This winter during my full maintence check I am going to replace the chain. My Park chain wear tool is starting to show some wear, altho not a full 1% yet. I believe in preventive maintence. It has held me in good stead, since I have never had to walk home.

Yeah, I need to get a chain measuring tool. The chains on a couple of my bikes are getting kind of noisy and I know they have plenty of lube on them.

I went ahead and ordered the replacement chain from Rans, and it came in just a few days later. BTW it came with the replaceable link that makes removal and replacement easy for cleaning etc.