Welcome, Guest. Please Login.
rbent - Recumbent Bike Enthusiasts of North Texas
Oct 2nd, 2024, 5:22am
News: Want to join the rbent Forum? See this thread.
Home Help Search Login


Pages: 1
Send Topic Print
Another practical purchase - Xstream26! (Read 4298 times)
FlyingLaZBoy
Moderator
*****


'16 ICE SprintX fs,
'16 Rocket, '12 KHS
Mocha

Posts: 5803
Another practical purchase - Xstream26!
Feb 16th, 2010, 7:24pm
 
Well, as has been rumored, thanks to the sale of my SXP to Thomas, I was finally able to scrape up enough bucks to take advantage of RANS's "team discount" for the Xstream prototype testing work (yeah, "work," right...) back in '2008...  While the Xstream is pretty cool, it just didn't match the versatility of the SXP, and my jobless situation pretty much prevented me from having two bikes at once.  So the SXP remained my bike of choice.
 
HOWEVER, they have since come out with the Xstream26 concept, allowing wider 559 tires with a slingmesh seat, creating a "commuter" option -- and I thought, well, heck, I've already GOT 559 wheels/tires, and they can still go fast if I need to...  SO I talked with Randy and Kim, and we worked out a deal -- and such a deal...  such that I could afford an Xstream26 (which IS a slightly different frame) that has a custom gold/silver paint job like the Team version (but "faded" together), with sparkle clearcoat, midlevel Xstream components, and BOTH a Slingmesh and a Hoagie seat, for that extra versatility from commuting to racing!  NOW I could replace the SXP...  And here it be, a bike to take me my NEXT 25,000 miles:
 

 

 

 

 
 
With Slingmesh and Aerotrunk, ready to commute:
 

 
 

 
 
This combination actually makes it MORE versatile than the SXP, and several pounds lighter as well...  So, the StratusVariouses are no longer a "matching bike" couple...
 
 Smiley
Back to top
 
« Last Edit: Feb 16th, 2010, 8:01pm by FlyingLaZBoy »  

******************
"A hundred miles on a bike? How many
days does that take you?"

******************
Email FlyingLaZBoy   IP Logged
FlyingLaZBoy
Moderator
*****


'16 ICE SprintX fs,
'16 Rocket, '12 KHS
Mocha

Posts: 5803
Re: Another practical purchase
Reply #1 - Feb 16th, 2010, 7:28pm
 
An interesting note about switching back and forth between the Hoagie and the Slingmesh -- I actually have to move the seatclamp FORWARD an inch or so when I install the Slingmesh, to reach the pedals (although I may just be able to switch from rear to front bolts), and the handlebar just has to be pushed in 3" or so for the modified closer reach.  Pretty slick...
Back to top
 
« Last Edit: Feb 16th, 2010, 11:06pm by FlyingLaZBoy »  

******************
"A hundred miles on a bike? How many
days does that take you?"

******************
Email FlyingLaZBoy   IP Logged
Kwijybow
Five Star Member
*****


mostly a commuter

Posts: 1026
Re: Another practical purchase - Xstream26!
Reply #2 - Feb 16th, 2010, 9:44pm
 
More awesomeness!  I'm very interested in seeing this one in action!  On my shortlist for next bike....
Back to top
 
 

Commuter 1Cheesyavidson Impulse
Commuter 2: Motobecane Fixie
Commuter 3: Salsa Journeyman
Recumbent 1: Schlitter Encore 20
recumbent 2: Bacchetta Ti Aero
Email   IP Logged
jayg
Five Star Member
*****


rbent member

Posts: 4190
Re: Another practical purchase - Xstream26!
Reply #3 - Feb 16th, 2010, 10:06pm
 
Great looking bike! I notice you ordered it with a Terracycle idler. The stock plastic idler on my X Stream is rapidly being chewed up by the chain, so I have been considering installing a Terracycle idler. I was wondering about its noise level. Is it much noisier than a new plastic idler?
Back to top
 
 
Email   IP Logged
aikigreg
Moderator
*****


recumbent ninja

Posts: 3685
Re: Another practical purchase - Xstream26!
Reply #4 - Feb 16th, 2010, 10:33pm
 
No, I think it's quieter in fact.
Back to top
 
 

I'm in it to Schwinn it.
Email   IP Logged
FlyingLaZBoy
Moderator
*****


'16 ICE SprintX fs,
'16 Rocket, '12 KHS
Mocha

Posts: 5803
Re: Another practical purchase - Xstream26!
Reply #5 - Feb 16th, 2010, 10:59pm
 
Quote from jayg on Feb 16th, 2010, 10:06pm:
Great looking bike! I notice you ordered it with a Terracycle idler. The stock plastic idler on my X Stream is rapidly being chewed up by the chain, so I have been considering installing a Terracycle idler. I was wondering about its noise level. Is it much noisier than a new plastic idler?

 
Go for the Terracycle -- it's just better built, overall.  I still don't know why RANS went with that plastic idler...
 
PB
Back to top
 
« Last Edit: Feb 16th, 2010, 11:07pm by FlyingLaZBoy »  

******************
"A hundred miles on a bike? How many
days does that take you?"

******************
Email FlyingLaZBoy   IP Logged
power_bent
Five Star Member
*****


rbent member

Posts: 632
Re: Another practical purchase - Xstream26!
Reply #6 - Feb 17th, 2010, 9:32am
 
Way to go Paul,, loooks very nice!  Smiley
Back to top
 
 

Keep Pedaling,the power coming
Midracer being built
Homebuilt Bike X orange
Homebuilt Squared High Racer (20")
Catrike Expedition ( Red)
Wife: Sun Tadpole Trike
Email   IP Logged
Bud_Bent
Moderator
*****




Posts: 3310
Re: Another practical purchase - Xstream26!
Reply #7 - Feb 17th, 2010, 11:33am
 
Very nice, Paul!
Back to top
 
 

Bud
* 2009 RANS F-5 Pro
* 2009 RANS XStream
* 2004 RANS Screamer
My Blog - uneasy-rider.com
WWW   IP Logged
MrOverdressed
Five Star Member
*****


rbent member

Posts: 569
Re: Another practical purchase - Xstream26!
Reply #8 - Feb 17th, 2010, 2:43pm
 
Congratulations Paul !!!
Back to top
 
 

Happy Trails! Smiley
Terry Pickl
  IP Logged
Pedalin` Peggy




rbent member

Posts: 261
Re: Another practical purchase - Xstream26!
Reply #9 - Feb 20th, 2010, 7:39am
 
You have had a great couple of weeks, new job , new bike. See go things come to those how wait.  Smiley. Looking forward to riding with you this spring.   Pedalin Peggy
Back to top
 
 

'07 Strada
  IP Logged
FlyingLaZBoy
Moderator
*****


'16 ICE SprintX fs,
'16 Rocket, '12 KHS
Mocha

Posts: 5803
Re: Another practical purchase - Xstream26!
Reply #10 - Feb 20th, 2010, 11:18pm
 
Went out for the "Maiden Voyage" this morning, doing the GDB 40-miler Airport out-and-back, with the Hoagie seat.  I also switched out the handlebar for the "HR3Way", which gave me a bit more leg room and better ergonomics for the grips/brakes.  As expected, the bike performed like a charm, especially into the wind, although my legs were telling me about the different recline since the last few months have been so light, mileage-wise.  I took it relatively easy, winding up with a 16+ average... but the fun has begun!
 
 Smiley
Back to top
 
 

******************
"A hundred miles on a bike? How many
days does that take you?"

******************
Email FlyingLaZBoy   IP Logged
FlyingLaZBoy
Moderator
*****


'16 ICE SprintX fs,
'16 Rocket, '12 KHS
Mocha

Posts: 5803
Re: Another practical purchase - Xstream26!
Reply #11 - Feb 21st, 2010, 7:40am
 
A couple pictures of the handlebar switch to the HR3Way...  I cut a few inches off of the B-28 top insert so it would go in further, and also cut length off of the adjustable grip sections so they would slide in as far as possible to the curve.  I also cut some length off the seat braces, so I could get max recline with the supports attached to the forward frame tab.
 

 

 

 

 
Back to top
 
« Last Edit: Feb 21st, 2010, 7:44am by FlyingLaZBoy »  

******************
"A hundred miles on a bike? How many
days does that take you?"

******************
Email FlyingLaZBoy   IP Logged
MrOverdressed
Five Star Member
*****


rbent member

Posts: 569
Re: Another practical purchase - Xstream26!
Reply #12 - Feb 21st, 2010, 8:03am
 
Paul do you still have the B-74 riser installed?
Back to top
 
 

Happy Trails! Smiley
Terry Pickl
  IP Logged
FlyingLaZBoy
Moderator
*****


'16 ICE SprintX fs,
'16 Rocket, '12 KHS
Mocha

Posts: 5803
Re: Another practical purchase - Xstream26!
Reply #13 - Feb 21st, 2010, 9:10pm
 
Quote from MrOverdressed on Feb 21st, 2010, 8:03am:
Paul do you still have the B-74 riser installed?

 
 
Yes... that's what the B-28 topload slides into.
Back to top
 
 

******************
"A hundred miles on a bike? How many
days does that take you?"

******************
Email FlyingLaZBoy   IP Logged
Pages: 1
Send Topic Print