twinsfan1976

Just curious on people opinion on the Vision R50 recumbent bike. There is one for sale on craigslist near me for $450. I know the company went out of business in 2003, but it appears they use mostly standard parts other than the seat and handlebars. Any parts that are hard to find? Anyone ride one? This model for sale has the under seat steering. I have never owned a bent before, so I am looking for something affordable to get my feet wet. So let me have it, lets hear the good and bad! Thank you so much

IrvJamison

Go to this website for more info: https://www.visionrecumbentinfo.com/r40detail.html. Check the color and equiptment of the bike to help find the year model; 7-speed= early, 8-speed=one year only and 9-speed late. I believe that they went to a little longer wheelbase on the later models 2000+?.The Volae seat fabric will work on the Vision bikes and runs about $100.00.
Irv

twinsfan1976

Thanks Irv. After consulting that it appears the seller has misidentified the bike as an R50. It appears to exactly match the R54. The one he is selling is silver in color and has the front wheel fender on it exactly that matches the pictures of the R54. Hmm, the R54 at that price might make it a slightly better deal then perhaps.

gcottay

The price is right if it's the right bike for you. Some riders appreciate under seat steering, others do not. Ditto with suspension.

BlazingPedals

I seem to vaguely remember that the first year Vision came out with their 5x series, there was some sort of a problem with frames breaking. I can't remember any specifics, and I think they got whatever the problem was, fixed. Is there a Vision owners group somewhere?

stevebriggs

Yes: VISION RECUMBENTS BICYCLES GROUP on facebook

BlazingPedals

Thanks for resurrecting a zombie thread to answer a rhetorical question. Now if you can go back in time 8 years, you can tell twinsfan1976, who bought an R-44 and dropped out of sight.

VegasTriker

Yes, sometimes I get annoyed at zombie threads too but let's give this guy a break. It is just that you can sometimes read through pages only to realize it is stale news. It's his first post. I hope we didn't scare you away. You can get some useful information here and at www.bentrideronline.com. It has a much larger group of recumbent enthusiasts.

stevebriggs

Sorry guys, didn't think I was going bug anybody, but I see your point if you follow this forum closely.

BlazingPedals

LOL, no problem really. Welcome aboard!