Hello Everyone,
I needed to get my thoughts down on my desire to purchase a new (to me) recumbent.
 
I enjoyed the recent White Rock Lake ride where I was able to for first time see Buds famous born-again RANS Nimbus.  Winter of 2006/2007 left me a little envious as Bud rolled up many happy miles on this bike.   This exposed my need for a winter bike.  So I’m thinking out loud here.  I’m currently in a search for my very own winter&commuter bike.  I have the EZ tandem and the Baron.  I love both bikes and each severs its purpose.  The baron will be undergoing a winter rebuild so I need something in between.  This is a good time of the year to get a good deal.  Because it’s the end of the summer and the end of the cycling season for many Yankees.  
 
Being a winter&commuter bike my requirements are:
•      Good low speed handling but can still move at a decent top speed.
•      Good visibility in traffic.  Cars should see me and I should see the cars.
•      No heal strike issues.  Need to be able to concentrate on traffic not where my steering and feet are positioned to each other.
•      Inexpensive.  A used bike is preferred because it’s insane to get a beautiful new bike subject it to winter abuse.
•      Ability to haul cargo.  As a benchmark for cargo, I want the bike to be able to haul my laptop (I use a back-pack type laptop case like student use).  I estimate that this would be between 15-20 lbs.  
•      I can fit my 36inch inseam and 44 inch x-seam on the frame.
 
The following items are not mandatory:
o      A windshield would be nice.    Keeps the winter chill off and optimizes the aerodynamics.
o      Dual big wheel would also be nice.  Or the ability to latter convert the front 20" to a big wheel
o      Disc brakes would be nice
o      3x9 speed.  8 speed is acceptable
 
To meet the above requirements I obviously need a LWB (Long Wheel Base) recumbent.  The following models are examples that meet most of the  requirements:
•      Easy Racers LWB bikes like the Tour Easy.  Expense to purchase used because of a high resale value
•      The RANS LWB models like Stratus.  Very popular, well built bike that is easy to find a good deal on used bike.
•      Cycle Genius LWB models.  Well built bike that is not a common as the RANS LWB models.  
•      I like the new Sun/ER Tomahawk/javelin but I don’t think it would be very good at carrying cargo.
 
I have a "Want to buy" classified ad on BROL:  http://www.bentrideronline.com/messageboard/showthread.php?t=33244  
So far I have leads on some acceptable deals.  I hop to make a decision soon.
 
Questions:
Does anyone know of a LWB tail-bag or box that can haul at least 15lbs?  
 
Sincerely,
Terry