Comments on TW Bents Recumbents?

Michael J. Klein <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I'm considering a custom made PB-960S, recently shown at the Taipei
Cycle Show and not in production yet. They are willing to make one to
fit my size and weight. Comments/suggestions? Thanks.
http://www.recumbent.com.tw/HTM/model.htm

Michael J. Klein

These are being imported to the US under the Actionbent label:
http://www.actionbent.com/products.html

The bikes in general look pretty good- but I didn't get a chance to
test ride on at the Seattle show, so I can't really comment on the
ride quality. The seat was comfortable enough in my test-sit.

Just looking at the picture, though-
http://www.recumbent.com.tw/HTM/pb-960s.htm
I'd be worried about the size and material of the swingarm pivot. It
*looks* very small and narrow. Also, the top run of the chain appears
to come quite close to the right "chainstay"- I'd worry about the
chain chewing it up.

Jeff

Quoted message said:

Michael J. Klein <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

I'm considering a custom made PB-960S, recently shown at the Taipei
Cycle Show and not in production yet. They are willing to make one to
fit my size and weight. Comments/suggestions? Thanks.
http://www.recumbent.com.tw/HTM/model.htm

You might want to check out the discussions at:

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/actionbent/

where there's a lot of discussion about bikes from this company, though
not that model in particular.

My impression of assembling a Tidal Wave frameset (still in progress) is
that the bikes are decent quality and a good value, but there are some
things that aren't quite dialed in yet.

Notably -

- some models have cable stops in the wrong place making them
sub-optimal, or even useless (if you want to have bare cable runs common
on upright bikes)

- packaging/boxing from the factory could be improved (reports from the
discussion group above would indicate that it's gotten better, but has
room for improvement)

- some USS steering models are limited in turing radius by an
unnecesarily complex handlebar configuration (one of the most common
mods people make)

- the stock chain management works, but can be noisy, with many folks
replacing idlers or modifying them to reduce noise (chain running over
hard plastic idlers)

- the vinyl covered padded hardshell seat would use some lateral
support, or at least grippier material to prevent slipping sideways

--
I do not accept unsolicted commercial e-mail. Remove NO_UCE for
legitimate replies.

(Jeff Wills) said:

Michael J. Klein <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I'm considering a custom made PB-960S, recently shown at the Taipei
Cycle Show and not in production yet. They are willing to make one to
fit my size and weight. Comments/suggestions? Thanks.
http://www.recumbent.com.tw/HTM/model.htm

Michael J. Klein

These are being imported to the US under the Actionbent label:
http://www.actionbent.com/products.html

The bikes in general look pretty good- but I didn't get a chance to
test ride on at the Seattle show, so I can't really comment on the
ride quality. The seat was comfortable enough in my test-sit.

Just looking at the picture, though-
http://www.recumbent.com.tw/HTM/pb-960s.htm
I'd be worried about the size and material of the swingarm pivot. It
*looks* very small and narrow. Also, the top run of the chain appears
to come quite close to the right "chainstay"- I'd worry about the
chain chewing it up.

Jeff

Excellent comments Jeff. I am planning a factory visit next week (I
was hoping for this week but I'm just too tied up) and I'll take a
look at the points you brought up. Good call on the chainstay - I
hadn't noticed that in the picture. I'll try to take some pics so
those aspects can clearly been seen and evaluated by others. I wish
I'd gone to the Taipei Cycle Show but I couldn't make it (geesh, I
think I'm too busy!).

Michael J. Klein

Michael J. Klein <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I'm considering a custom made PB-960S, recently shown at the Taipei
Cycle Show and not in production yet. They are willing to make one to
fit my size and weight. Comments/suggestions? Thanks.
http://www.recumbent.com.tw/HTM/model.htm

Michael J. Klein

Cool looking bikes and I like their website. Appears the boom is far
enough forward to not have heel strike. Also like the fact that the
seat is low. I do agree with Jeff regarding the chain and chain stay.

Kelly

Michael J. Klein <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...
<snip>

Quoted message said:

Excellent comments Jeff. I am planning a factory visit next week (I
was hoping for this week but I'm just too tied up) and I'll take a
look at the points you brought up. Good call on the chainstay - I
hadn't noticed that in the picture. I'll try to take some pics so
those aspects can clearly been seen and evaluated by others. I wish
I'd gone to the Taipei Cycle Show but I couldn't make it (geesh, I
think I'm too busy!).

Michael J. Klein

Dang, I'd love to go. I spent a year in Taipei long ago ('72-'73)... a
very interesting experience.

Jeff