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Message started by Patti on Oct 26^th, 2009, 6:43pm

Title: Short x-seam options
Post by Patti on Oct 26^th, 2009, 6:43pm

I'm curious as to what recumbent bikes would be most likely to fit riders with an x-seam shorter than 39 in. I'm either a 35.5 or a 36 (depending upon measurement method). In doing some casual browsing of used bikes, I haven't run across anything that would appear to fit. Even bikes with small frame options seem generally too large. Are there smaller models that I don't know about, or do I just keep a hacksaw handy in case something comes along that I like?

Title: Re: Short x-seam options
Post by Kwijybow on Oct 26^th, 2009, 8:02pm

Hi Patti,

What style recumbent are you interested in? Most of the LWB come in sizes that fit short inseam folks and allow easy access to the ground.
So far I'm a very happy with my Barcroft Oregon but it is a rare beast, However from what I've seen the Virginia GT would be a good bet for a short inseam person. I believe the Bacchetta Giro 20's are pretty easy to ride also. Angie Torrey had one for a bit, but she might have been right on the edge size wise, I think she does much better on her Rans V3 LWB, but it might have needed a little tweaking to the seat mount to fit her right. Ray can chime in there. I know small Tour Easys are out there, but rarer than M-L sizes. The Standard RANS Stratus STD frame is really good bet, that comes up used fairly often. In my experience the SWB RANS are a harder fit for the short legged, because the seat gets higher as you shorten the reach to the pedals, but the LWB RANS are the exact opposite.

So used bikes I'd look for,

SWB
Barcroft Virginia GT (small)
Bacchetta Giro 20 (small)

CLWB
RANS Wave (one on ebay right now pretty cheap)

LWB
Tour Easy (extra small, rare!)
RANS Stratus (with the 20" front wheel) (Rose had my old one for awhile)
RANS Stratus XP (small or std) (Paul's wife Terri has one)

Take Care,
Nelson.

Title: Re: Short x-seam options
Post by JimFPU on Oct 27^th, 2009, 6:53am

Yoiu could also build one yourself. Or find a homebuilder to help you build one. Nothing like a custom bike you built yourself.

Title: Re: Short x-seam options
Post by aikigreg on Oct 27^th, 2009, 9:52am

Any midracer style would work as well, where you have a big wheel in front and a big wheel in back. And of course exotic lowracers like a Vk2 work pretty nicely too.

Title: Re: Short x-seam options
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Oct 29^th, 2009, 5:44pm

Kwijybow wrote:

LWB

RANS Stratus XP (small or std) (Paul's wife Terri has one)

Ya know, an XStream 26 might not be a bad idea, Patti...!!! X-Seam 35" to 47.5"

Actually, Terrie is riding an XL FRAME size Stratus XP -- but all we had to do to make it fit was to get the longer seat support struts!!!

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/ae256/pbrown8js/101_3039-1.jpg

Title: Re: Short x-seam options
Post by Kwijybow on Oct 29^th, 2009, 7:07pm

Quote:

a know, an XStream 26 might not be a bad idea, Patti...!!! X-Seam 35" to 47.5"

I agree about the Xstream and mid-racers, just not too many of those used yet. Maybe in a few years! :)
As a definite secondary market kinda guy I tempered my suggestions to what I see used.

Wow Paul I had know idea that Terrie was riding an XL frame. good to know it will work (adding to file of bikes I can buy in the future!)

Take Care,
Nelson.

Title: Re: Short x-seam options
Post by diannalightning on Oct 30^th, 2009, 12:45pm

Patti, I have a V-Rex and love it. My x-seam is 37 and with the "big" seat cushion, I have to tippy-toe at the stop lights. With the gel thinner seat pad, I'm fine. I've had an EZ1, Ligthning Thunderbolt, Bacchetta Cafe and I prefer the short wheel-base over the CLWB or a LWB. That's just personal preference. I think a Lightning would also fit a short x-seam well (at least it did me, but I didn't like the 16" front wheel), but I would suggest that you ride one of each type to see what suits you personally. My feet hit the ground flat footed on a CLWB or a LWB, but I prefer climbing hills on a SWB. Again, it's personal preference. Let me know if you want to test ride the V-Rex.

Title: Re: Short x-seam options
Post by Patti on Nov 1^st, 2009, 8:50am

Sorry I couldn't respond sooner but our phone/DSL line has been out since Monday night. Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm not sure what style of bike would suit me, but this will help me narrow the focus of my research.