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From: trow@uw-june (Jay Trow)
Newsgroups: net.bicycle
Subject: Re: Recumbents: a few comments and requests for more
Message-ID: <2049@uw-june>
Date: Sat, 8-Dec-84 20:51:11 EST
Article-I.D.: uw-june.2049
Posted: Sat Dec  8 20:51:11 1984
Date-Received: Mon, 10-Dec-84 03:29:08 EST
References: <1524@pucc-h> <1375@druxv.UUCP> <1205@hplabs.UUCP>
Reply-To: Hamilton.es@Xerox.arpa
Organization: U of Washington Computer Science
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Forwarded from Bikers^@Xerox.arpa.

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Date:  7 Dec 84 13:56:30 PST (Friday)
Subject: Re: Recumbents: a few comments and requests for more
From: Bruce Hamilton 

I've been riding a "Tour Easy" from

	Easy Racers
	2891 Freedom Blvd.
	Watsonville, CA 95076
	(408)722-9797

for over a year.  It's incredibly comfortable.  None of the usual standard-
bike butt-wrists-neck twisted out of joint.  Visibility is not an issue
unless you're on the right side of a semi about to make a right turn.
Arguably, any recumbent (except Hypercyle, see below) is safer than a
diamond-frame bike, because (1) you're closer to the ground and (2) you
can't go flying over the handlebars in a panic stop.

I have 18 speeds.  The super-low chainwheel means I can climb just about
anything.  All parts are standard except frame and seat.  I bought the
bike for about $900 assembled; you can also get plans for about $25.
Speed records have been set with an enclosed version of these bikes.
Mine came with a Zipper fairing.

If I were doing this again, I might go with

	Alternative Bikestyles
	P.O. Box 1344
	Bonita, CA 92002
	(619)421-5118
	Ed Roeters

Roeters is a junior high school shop teacher who makes what is very close
to a ripoff of the Tour Easy, for under $400.  He's had his students build
this type of bike as shop projects.  Roeters says he has also built rail
riders (sounds like a fun way to tour -- riding the railroad tracks.
Anybody done this?).

I've test-driven the Roeters bike; it's essentially the same as the Tour
Easy.  You can get all sorts of gearing options, from single-speed on up.
My biggest gripe with both the Roeters and the Tour Easy is the super-
sensitive steering, which I guess is supposed to help make up for the
long wheelbase.  Basically, you can't ride no-hands.  I've tested the
Infinity, which has under-the-seat steering (the Tour Easy and Roeters
bikes are built more like a chopper motorcycle, i.e. standard steering).
I don't like the Infinity as well because you sit up higher and more
upright, as opposed to leaning back; but I did like the Infinity's
steering better.

(I believe the Infinity is what Chistopher Walken rode in "Brainstorm".)

The Hypercycle, unfortunately, is still, I think, the only "cheap"
recumbent available.  It's front-wheel-under-seat makes it dangerously
unstable.  It steers like the Infinity, but the Infinity puts the front
wheel out front and steers through a cable linkage, making it far safer
in a panic stop.

--Bruce

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