dcrowell

A trike is on my wishlist now. The ones I want are pricey, so it may be quite a while.

chandltp

I saved for 3 years by taking jobs on the side. I didn't want to buy something I could just afford, I wanted to afford what I wanted. I bought what I could afford with my current bike. While it works, I wouldn't probably buy it again.

This time around I had the cash to buy exactly what I wanted.

dcrowell

That's what I'm going to have to do. I don't/won't go into debt again. I just need to actually start saving the money instead of p*ssing it away on eating out and beer.

Artkansas 

I bought a Bacchetta Giro 20. One important reason was that I can get it onto the bus bicycle racks, as a back up, because of its short wheelbase. I've done centuries on it, and one thing I like is that it has a rack attachment that goes below the seat for extra panniers. I got the fenders and rear rack when I bought it. I'd love some lower gears, but its a rare hill I can't get up, and I've passed a lot of people walking their diamond frame bikes while I'm still pedaling up hill. I like it for commuting because it is more relaxing to ride home than my utility bike. It has one big drawback though. It's difficult to lock securely because of the stick-like geometry of the frame.

trikerJudy

Hi I'm a newbie. For my recumbent trike they make head rest attachments to support the neck. Don't know if it will work on all bents

delcrossv

pretty much all lowracers have them. It goes by seat recline angle mostly.

rydabent

IMHO a long wheel base bent is superior for touring. If you are going to a bent for the comfort, go all the way and buy a LWB bent. The riding position is far more open and relaxed too.

rydabent

I too would go with a LWB bent for the ride and the available locations for bags. If same sized tires are a point with you the RANS Stratus with the two 26" wheels might be the one for you.

simonch

This is the ultimate touring bicycle: Velokraft VK-3.
60 liters (16 gallons) of space in tailbox, enough space to mount side panniers. Full suspension, great aerodynamics, easy to ride, very comfortable.

bear38

Ok back again. I bought a bachetta Bella. It rides nice and I am enjoying it.

vic303

Great! Glad to hear you are enjoying the Bella!

Ran Rider

I have a Rans Stratus XP. It's a fantastic bike. I can't imagine anything more comfortable.

BlazingPedals

Pretty much every LBS in the country has access to ordering a Sun, including AFAIK the TourEasy LE. But the real McCoy would be better if you want a serious touring machine - Sun is cheaper but heavier.

WPeabody 

The Terratrike Tour was the best one I could find and afford, its base price is $1999. I had to order it online through Terratrike because after a few years of research and looking locally, no one dealt with them, unless I drove for many miles. The local REI was within easy triking distance, has readily worked on my trike, with good results. The longest ride I've done was 9 hours, and I was still comfortable, though sometimes sitting that long is a bit hard on my lower back. I'd get that same problem from driving a Mercury for 9 hours, too.

rydabent

Also the RANS Stratus LE that was just upgraded to disc brakes would be an excellent ride. And the good thing about the LE it doesnt cost you your first born.

Cyclebum

Agree. I have a Tour Easy. Buddy a Bella. I like the no nonsense design of the Bella, esp the 406 front and 26" rear wheels. The mesh/foam Coolback seat with seat back storage area is a hugely useful, comfortable design on both the TE and Bella. One of their best features for touring, and storage of shed clothing during winter rides. I once carried 4 extra liters of water in that space and could have toted 6.

rydabent

Again the reason for a LWB is the extra length give you more locations for gear stowage. I also suggest the latest RANS Stratus LE with their disc brakes. The reason for being high on disc brakes if if you read cross country ride reports, every now and then there is the bad situation where the rim has failed because of brake wear on the rims. While you might not think this would happen, think about it. Cross country riders do get caught in the rain. The rain water carries grit and sand onto the rims and into the brake pads, and you get accelerated rim wear. A broken rim in the middle of bum diddle no where can really ruin a ride.

In addition the reason disc brakes are better is the fact that the rim can be built stronger and more aero since there is no brake rim area.

palmersperry

My first 'bent was a SWB and had space for 4 rear panniers (2 actually at the rear, 2 under the seat) plus the top of the rear rack available. I'm struggling to see (a) where a LWB gets more space and (b) what I could've used it for!

oddball

Lightfoot makes an under seat rack for its LWB recumbents that can hold four panniers. That plus a standard rear rack would give you space for six panniers. But I agree that's probably more than you'd want to pedal around with unless your touring in an undeveloped part of the world.

Theres also the issue of us taller riders. SWBs with sliding seats are adjusted pretty far back for those of us with long legs. My Bacchetta Giro 20 would probably not handle well with panniers on the back. A rear rack would actually place them behind the rear wheel. Proper weight distribution would help but there would still be some weight behind the rear wheel. If I needed to tour on it I would probably look at something like Radical Designs saddle bag type panniers and Arkels recumbent bags on an under seat rack

EriktheFish

Another vote for the Rans Stratus XP as one of the best choices you can make for a touring machine! Mine has brought me coast to coast and all around. Here's my cousin sitting on mine:

cplager

You could probably put a front rack on a LWB bike. Now, that really doesn't answer the what would you put in it question.

David Byrne went around on his (SWB) Cruzbike Sofrider quite happily.

Moral of the story: If you want a LWB bike for touring, get a LWB. If you want a SWB, get a SWB.

Cheers,
Charles

DogLeg

Wow...that is a nice bike. I wonder how much it would cost?

EriktheFish

The title of this Topic should actually read: "Best, Recumbent for Touring!".

I toured 1000's of miles on a beautiful Trek 720 touring bike. And after 1000's of more miles of touring on a recumbent, I can heartily recommend a recumbent (of most any design) to be the superior type of design for a touring machine. All day comfort, mile after mile for all parts of your body, and a riding position that allows you to see the landscape you are riding through makes a recumbent the "best" choice for touring, in my book.

rydabent

erikthefish +1

I just cant imagine riding a DF bike cross country!! Comfort for long days is of course number 1. But a close second is the fact you are sitting back relaxed with your head upright so you can see the lay of the land. This is the main reason to tour. DF riders dont like to admit it but they do spend a lot of time looking at their front wheel.

cplager

My biggest problem is numb hands. I found that I could actually get quite comfortable on aerobars, but then I was really just staring at the front wheel (and if I actually wanted to see where I was going, my neck got quite sore). For taking in the scenery, I don't see how you can beat being 'bent.