Rans V2 Formula?

After checking out the spec sheet this looks like a nice package. The new riser helps with the
tiller affect that the old design has. The reduction in weight compared to the steel versions should
help it climb better. Nice set of wheels. As I said a nice package. RANS has done a good job of
adressing the original V2 shortcommings with this model. Still, for three grand, there are other
bikes I would consider first. But if you have your heart set on a LWB ...

Helmut "stratrider" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

This looks like a very nice bike! What's the word on the street about

this bike?

Quoted message said:

Jim Reilly Reading, PA

"Helmut Neumann" <[email hidden]> wrote in
:"]news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

After checking out the spec sheet this looks like a nice package. The new riser helps with the
tiller affect that the old design has. The reduction in weight compared to the steel versions
should help it climb better. Nice set of wheels. As I said a nice package. RANS has done a good
job of adressing the original V2 shortcommings with this model. Still, for three grand, there are
other bikes I would consider first. But if you have your heart set on a LWB ...

Helmut "stratrider" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

This looks like a very nice bike! What's the word on the street about

this bike?

Quoted message said:

Jim Reilly Reading, PA

If I wasn't sold on trikes, that's the bike I'd have.

[email hidden] (stratrider) wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

This looks like a very nice bike! What's the word on the street about this bike?

Jim Reilly Reading, PA

yes i just saw it too, i like the lower seat , looks like it could really move out . .. anxiously
awaiting a terst rider.

In article <[email hidden]>, "Helmut says...

Quoted message said:

After checking out the spec sheet this looks like a nice package. The new riser helps with the
tiller affect that the old design has. The reduction in weight compared to the steel versions
should help it climb better. Nice set of wheels. As I said a nice package. RANS has done a good job
of adressing the original V2 shortcommings with this model. Still, for three grand, there are other
bikes I would consider first. But if you have your heart set on a LWB ...

My wife and I both ride custom V2s from Power On Cycling, that are very similar to the Formula. They
all have about the same level of components, with a mix of Ultegra level Shimano and SRAM, and the
same Velocity Thracian wheelsets. The only difference is that the Formula has an aluminum frame and
the carbon seat - and costs $1200 more than our bikes! That seemed like a bit too much to pay for
the aluminum frame to me.

As for the ride, the custom V2s are amazingly faster than my Vision VR-42, and feel much more stable
at speed. They also accelerate very well, as I was able to demonstrate over the weekend when I
pulled away from a friend on a Trek 5200. Not sure about the weight, as I haven't weighed mine yet.
But the upgrades to the components and wheels are a fair amount of the weigth savings of the Formula
over the standard V2.

I will say that my Vision is a more comfortable ride. Much more comfortable in fact. Part of that is
the suspension, but I find the Vision seat preferable too. After 160 miles this weekend I was
wishing for the best of both bikes.

I have mixed feelings about the new handlebar setup on the V2s. It does have less tiller than the
old riser (mine is new, my wife's is a 2001), and is easier to handle at low speed. But the bar
doesn't extend very far back, and if I put my seat back as far as I like I can't even reach the
handlebar! (And I special ordered mine with the bigger bars and larger riser.) So I have one of the
old risers on order from RANS and I'll see if that improves things.

So yes, I imagine the Formula is a great ride, since it must be even better than my custom V2. Not
sure about the $3000 price though.

Steve Christensen Midland, MI

[email hidden] (mike) wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

[email hidden] (stratrider) wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

This looks like a very nice bike! What's the word on the street about this bike?

Jim Reilly Reading, PA

yes i just saw it too, i like the lower seat , looks like it could really move out . .. anxiously
awaiting a terst rider.

I have one that is paid for and on order. I think the arrival date is sometime in August. I'll give
a full report once I recieve the bike and get some miles on it. Marci

Now that's the credit card-wielding Marci that we all know and love. Welcome back!

Bryan J. Ball Editor/Publisher www.bentrideronline.com

[email hidden] ('BentRider) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Now that's the credit card-wielding Marci that we all know and love. Welcome back!

Bryan J. Ball Editor/Publisher www.bentrideronline.com

Haa.. Thanks. It's good to be back. From the time of my son's birth till now (he is 26 months) I
didn't ride much but now I am getting back into riding and it feels good!!!! Marci

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Steve Christens
In article <[email hidden]>, "Helmut says...

Quoted message said:

After checking out the spec sheet this looks like a nice package. The new riser helps with the
tiller affect that the old design has. The reduction in weight compared to the steel versions
should help it climb better. Nice set of wheels. As I said a nice package. RANS has done a good job
of adressing the original V2 shortcommings with this model. Still, for three grand, there are other
bikes I would consider first. But if you have your heart set on a LWB ...

My wife and I both ride custom V2s from Power On Cycling, that are very similar to the Formula. They
all have about the same level of components, with a mix of Ultegra level Shimano and SRAM, and the
same Velocity Thracian wheelsets. The only difference is that the Formula has an aluminum frame and
the carbon seat - and costs $1200 more than our bikes! That seemed like a bit too much to pay for
the aluminum frame to me.

As for the ride, the custom V2s are amazingly faster than my Vision VR-42, and feel much more stable
at speed. They also accelerate very well, as I was able to demonstrate over the weekend when I
pulled away from a friend on a Trek 5200. Not sure about the weight, as I haven't weighed mine yet.
But the upgrades to the components and wheels are a fair amount of the weigth savings of the Formula
over the standard V2.

I will say that my Vision is a more comfortable ride. Much more comfortable in fact. Part of that is
the suspension, but I find the Vision seat preferable too. After 160 miles this weekend I was
wishing for the best of both bikes.

I have mixed feelings about the new handlebar setup on the V2s. It does have less tiller than the
old riser (mine is new, my wife's is a 2001), and is easier to handle at low speed. But the bar
doesn't extend very far back, and if I put my seat back as far as I like I can't even reach the
handlebar! (And I special ordered mine with the bigger bars and larger riser.) So I have one of the
old risers on order from RANS and I'll see if that improves things.

So yes, I imagine the Formula is a great ride, since it must be even better than my custom V2. Not
sure about the $3000 price though.

Steve Christensen Midland, MI

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by luvabluzer

Steve,

You got a custom V2 with similar components except for the aluminum frame for $1800? That's what I paid for my stock V2 back in 2001.

Quoted message said:

luvabluzer wrote:

Quoted message said:

Steve,

You got a custom V2 with similar components except for the aluminum frame for $1800? That's what I
paid for my stock V2 back in 2001.

Seemed like a good deal to me too. The only differences are the steel frame and the standard seat.

Steve Christensen

Steve Christensen <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

luvabluzer wrote:

Quoted message said:

Steve,

You got a custom V2 with similar components except for the aluminum frame for $1800? That's what
I paid for my stock V2 back in 2001.

Seemed like a good deal to me too. The only differences are the steel frame and the standard seat.

Steve Christensen

Keep in mind though, that the aluminum framed version weights about 7 pounds less than the cromo
version (with upgraded components too). That is a sigificant amount of weight on a bike. Also,
aluminum is less flexy which should provide more speed. A good example of this is the tour easy
(cromoly)vs the gold rush (aluminum). They are very different performing bikes. Marci

Marci Taylor said:

...Also, aluminum is less flexy which should provide more speed. A good example of this is the
tour easy (cromoly)vs the gold rush (aluminum). They are very different performing bikes.

The aluminium alloy frame will be stiffer than the steel only if tubing with a significantly higher
moment of inertia (larger diameter and/or greater wall thickness) is used. Aluminium alloys
typically have an elastic modulus in the range of 70-80 GPa, while the elastic modulus of steel is
around 200 GPa. So a steel tube will be almost three times as stiff as an aluminium alloy tube of
the same diameter and wall thickness.

Tom Sherman - Quad Cities USA (Illinois side)

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

Steve Christensen <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

luvabluzer wrote:

Quoted message said:

Steve,

You got a custom V2 with similar components except for the aluminum frame for $1800? That's what
I paid for my stock V2 back in 2001.

Seemed like a good deal to me too. The only differences are the steel frame and the standard seat.

Steve Christensen

Keep in mind though, that the aluminum framed version weights about 7 pounds less than the cromo
version (with upgraded components too). That is a sigificant amount of weight on a bike. Also,
aluminum is less flexy which should provide more speed. A good example of this is the tour easy
(cromoly)vs the gold rush (aluminum). They are very different performing bikes. Marci

Well according to their site the weight difference is 5 lbs for the Formula, which is, I grant you,
significant. I'll have to get around to weighing my custom V2 to see how much more it weighs with
the standard seat and frame. I'm guessing it will be 2 to 3 lbs heavier than the Formula. (Which
would work out to $400 to $600 a pound for the difference.)

As for the aluminum frame and the Gold Rush comparison, with the standard V2 and Formula there is
more than just the frame that is different, and I suspect that it is the same with the Gold Rush.
Meaning you can't contribute all of the performance difference to the frame, as the upgraded bike
usually has better wheels and components.

I wonder about the importance of frame stiffness too. There have been a number of interesting
comments recently on the value of rigid pan type seats. One of the advantages is said to be that the
seat does not flex, so that all of your energy goes into the bike. This makes me wonder whether
improving the stiffness of the frame is as meaningful if you don't have a rigid seat to transfer the
energy without power loss.

Anyway I'll have to get out the scale.

Steve Christensen

Tom Sherman <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Marci Taylor said:

...Also, aluminum is less flexy which should provide more speed. A good example of this is the
tour easy (cromoly)vs the gold rush (aluminum). They are very different performing bikes.

The aluminium alloy frame will be stiffer than the steel only if tubing with a significantly
higher moment of inertia (larger diameter and/or greater wall thickness) is used. Aluminium alloys
typically have an elastic modulus in the range of 70-80 GPa, while the elastic modulus of steel is
around 200 GPa. So a steel tube will be almost three times as stiff as an aluminium alloy tube of
the same diameter and wall thickness.

Tom Sherman - Quad Cities USA (Illinois side)

Hi Tom: That is interesting. Obviously you have some good knowledge on this as I do not. I am
wondering though, why then the tour easy is reported to be much slower than the GRR with same
component package. Bob Bryant of RCN news reports MUCH greater speeds on the GRR than the Tour EAsy
with same conditions/rider/etc. What do you think? Also, Bob Bryant, if you are reading this, maybe
you could comment. Marci

Tom, can we as readers (and riders) then conclude that the tubing used on the GRR must have thicker
walls than the TE (as I see no difference in tubing diameter)?

Jim Reilly

[email hidden] (Marci Taylor) wrote in :"]news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

Steve Christensen <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

luvabluzer wrote:

Quoted message said:

Steve,

You got a custom V2 with similar components except for the aluminum frame for $1800? That's what
I paid for my stock V2 back in 2001.

Seemed like a good deal to me too. The only differences are the steel frame and the
standard seat.

Steve Christensen

Keep in mind though, that the aluminum framed version weights about 7 pounds less than the cromo
version (with upgraded components too). That is a sigificant amount of weight on a bike. Also,
aluminum is less flexy which should provide more speed. A good example of this is the tour easy
(cromoly)vs the gold rush (aluminum). They are very different performing bikes. Marci

The V² is a very stiff bike even in steel form. Doubt it will be any faster from anything there.

stratrider said:

Tom, can we as readers (and riders) then conclude that the tubing used on the GRR must have
thicker walls than the TE (as I see no difference in tubing diameter)?

I recall the GRR as having larger diameter tubing than the TE - would someone from Easy Racers or a
dealer inform us of the actual tubing diameters (and wall thicknesses if available).

Tom Sherman - Quad Cities USA (Illinois side)

I think it is very unlikely that the alu frame would have the same wall thickness as a steel frame.
I think the alu tubes will have much thicker walls.

John Riley

[email hidden] (Marci Taylor) wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Tom Sherman <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Marci Taylor said:

...Also, aluminum is less flexy which should provide more speed. A good example of this is the
tour easy (cromoly)vs the gold rush (aluminum). They are very different performing bikes.

The aluminium alloy frame will be stiffer than the steel only if tubing with a significantly
higher moment of inertia (larger diameter and/or greater wall thickness) is used. Aluminium
alloys typically have an elastic modulus in the range of 70-80 GPa, while the elastic modulus of
steel is around 200 GPa. So a steel tube will be almost three times as stiff as an aluminium
alloy tube of the same diameter and wall thickness.

Tom Sherman - Quad Cities USA (Illinois side)

Hi Tom: That is interesting. Obviously you have some good knowledge on this as I do not. I am
wondering though, why then the tour easy is reported to be much slower than the GRR with same
component package. Bob Bryant of RCN news reports MUCH greater speeds on the GRR than the Tour
EAsy with same conditions/rider/etc. What do you think? Also, Bob Bryant, if you are reading this,
maybe you could comment. Marci

"Marci Taylor" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi Tom: That is interesting. Obviously you have some good knowledge on this as I do not. I am
wondering though, why then the tour easy is reported to be much slower than the GRR with same
component package. Bob Bryant of RCN news reports MUCH greater speeds on the GRR than the Tour
EAsy with same conditions/rider/etc. What do you think? Also, Bob Bryant, if you are reading this,
maybe you could comment. Marci

Marci, if I remember it correctly, Bob Bryant attributed the above to Magic, which will be much
easier to understand than what ever surely correct technical explanation Tom will have. ;-)

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