Anyone selling a recumbent?

[BlackPanther]

I've spent a couple of weeks doing a bit of research, and as the new prices for a decent spec recumbent are high (compared to my last road bike anyway) I'm just wondering if anyone has a good condition, well maintained used recumbent for sale.

The new models I've been considering (but are currently out of my 'money saved from cycling to work' kitty) range from;

Challenge Furai/Challenge Fujin SL, to Velotechnik Speed/Street Machine to Raptobike Mid/Low racer. A pretty wide mix there I know, but this machine would compliment my existing bikes rather than replace them, so as I'm dipping my toe into the recumbent world for the first time, I'm leaving my options open. That also goes for under/over seat steering.

I realise that mid racer would make more sense for commuting, but I already have a road bike and hybrid, so the fun/speed factor means I would consider either mid or low racer.

Anyway, I live in Doncaster, South Yorkshire (which, looking at recumbent dealer locations appears to be the worst location in the U.K. to look/test ride recumbents!), so if you're looking to sell, I'm looking to buy. Otherwise I'll have to save my pennies a few more months and buy new.

 

[arallsopp]

Don't forget to have a look around in cyclechat's recumbent/hpv sub forum.

Have you made a choice about over or under seat steering options? So far as I know, the street machine is only available with USS, the Furai is OSS/USS as you fancy, and the Rapto is OSS only. That would make a pretty significant difference.

I own a Furai and a street machine. The Furai can be spec'd a lot lighter than the SMGTe, and gives a very nice ride. The rear suspension takes most of the nasties out, and in 10,000 miles (despite some fairly famous chain management issues) its been a very reliable bike. My 'go to' bike, in fact, for cross london commutes, 250 mile days, night rides down potholed lanes, pootles with friends. The Furai was introduced in 2009, so there won't be many out there in the second hand market yet. Mine was killed off in an incident.

The Street Machine was the first 'bent I bought. Its around 8 kilos heavier than my Furai, but will almost ride itself. The weight carries her further in rolling terrain, and the handling is extremely forgiving. The top end is geared higher than my Furai, and combined with excellent stability allows some very fast downhills. This is the bike I pull out if someone wants a go on a 'bent. Having a hub gear in the back helps. The street machine has been out there for years now. The original (SMGT) is a steel framer. The revised (SMGTe) is lighter with an aluminium frame.

The Rapto is a well respected 'bent. Its cheaper than either of the others new (though you do find the odd SMGT on ebay from time to time). I'm a USS guy, so haven't really had much of a go on one.

At the moment, I'm riding a Challenge Seiran. Its proving to be a marvellous addition to the stable.

• Faster than the SMGTe on the climbs (its a lot lighter). Well matched against the Furai.
• Faster than the Furai on the drops (a 26" rear means its geared higher). Well matched against the SMGTe.
• More stable than the Furai (the extra height gives you recovery time). Well matched against the SMGTe.
• Better visibility than Furai or SMGTe.
• Chain management better than the Furai. Well matched against the SMGTe.

For my uses, the Seiran is the best all rounder, and this is now the one that comes with me most places.

David at Laid Back Bikes (in Edinburgh) has a good range of demo and new recumbents. He's well worth a phone call. Having had 3 years with David, I wouldn't buy a bent from anywhere else. The second hand market is pretty tight in the recumbent world. Velovision, bentrider online, yacf occasionally carry adverts, but the general trend amongst the 'bentriders I know is to buy one, then buy another, and keep the first, then buy a third, and keep the first and the second, then buy a bigger shed, then fill it.

Andy.

 

[ianrauk]

And Mr Arallsopp sure knows about bike sheds I can tell you....