--- In starcityrecumbents@yahoogroups.com, "Jeff" <yo.mail_me@...>
wrote:
>
> Hi, everyone!
>
> I'm doing research on the 'net and am planning on purchasing two
> recumbents - one for me, one for my wife. I've narrowed the field
> down to CLWB models due to storage and transport considerations.
The
> smaller the frame, the better. SWB models are a little advanced for
> us newbies to start with.
>
> I am looking at models from the following makers:
> * Rans (Wave, Tailwind, Stratus)
> * Bacchetta (Agio, Cafe, Bellandare)
> * Cycle Genius (CGX)
> * Maxarya (Ray-1)
> * Sun (EZ-1, EZ-Sport)
> * HP Velotechnik (Spirit)
> * Cruzbike
>
> I'm heavily leaning towards the Maxarya or Cycle Genius for my
wife,
> and the HP Velo for me.
>
> Re: budget - obviously the less expensive, the better. But I
> understand that a difference of a few hundred dollars can make a
big
> difference in quality and performance, so I'm willing to spring for
> a slightly more expensive model, if the extra money can be
justified.
>
> I'm six foot and 220 lbs. My wife is five foot three and about 115
> lbs. I have a couple of pre-teen kids that would probably get a
> kick outta riding my wife's bike, so something that would easily
> adjust to smaller riders would be great. Nobody but me would be
> riding my bike, so adjustability isn't a major consideration.
>
> I plan on riding a *lot* for recreation and exercise, so I'll need
a
> bike that meets those needs. I'm not a racer, don't plan on
> impressing anybody but myself, and want something that will provide
> years of reliable, comfortable riding. My wife and kids will be
> occasional, recreational riders.
>
> I live in central California, and I have found only one LBS that
> sells recumbents - Sun models (I've not been overly impressed), but
> a number of shops that are willing to build/service my bikes, for a
> fee of course. If I could find a bike shop within a few hundred
> miles of me, I'd consider making the trip to test-ride as many
bikes
> as I could.... I'm not sure how to locate shops in CA with a
variety
> of 'bents to sample, however.
>
> Any advice, recommendations, hints, tips, warnings, or *anything*
> that would help me make a decision would be greatly appreciated!
>
> Hope to year from y'all soon! =)


Personally, I would stay away from both Cycle Genius and HP. I have
a fealing you would be happier with either a Sun EZ Sport or a
Bacchetta Bellendara. I have one customer who started on an EZ-1 for
commuting to work. He put 4000 mi. on it in one year. He gave that
to his wife and purchased an EZ Sport. He now has 15000 mi. on the
EZ Sport. I have replaced a rear wheel and a chain for him and
that's about all the trouble he's had with it. Or if you are handy I
can set you up with plans, kit or a bare frame to build your own
LaBent by LaDue www.labentbyladue.com
Denny LaDue
Denny