Anyone riding Azub?

I've recently looked into buying an Azub Max. I have been enamored with recumbents since as a child in the 70's and seeing them touted as answers to the oil embargo on TV. They were mostly home built, or built by teams from MIT and encased in fancy streamlined enclosures which enabled them to hurtle along at a nice stately 50 MPH clip. As a preteen, the thought of screaming through town at such a blistering speed without a driver's license was definately appealing.

thanks to over 40 years of lassitude, laziness, coupled with bending over to do everything from washing dishes to adding oil to my car, my 6'6" frame has corroded to the point that my back can't do the Quasimodo thing over a Diamond Frame. and as I am approaching 50, with a belly to match, I need to start enjoying life a little more, and be more fit. But more importantly, the chain fell of my DF, reason enough to get a new a recumbent.

So I made the commitment to go recumbent, as I have always wanted to. Here in southeastern CT, we do not have any dealers Rose City Bikes sells ICE Trikes, Check them out if you want one, they are great guys), so shopping online was my first step. It didn't take long for me to give the long wheel based designs of RANS, SUN, and others, were given short shrift. Call me prejudiced, arrogant, and ignorant, but quite frankly, the I'm not aesthetically aroused by the long distended length between the wheels, the sissy handle bars that appear to be borrowed from a bike whose other main feature is a banana seat nor the Suessian positioning of the lawn chair thingy you sit on. The whole ungainly contraption is as aesthetically appealing as watching a giraffe trying to drink from a mud puddle. I bid you no offense as I put on my nomex fire suit for the flaming im going to get from the Long Wheel Base crowd.

So with a Long Wheel Base determined to be psychologically traumatizing and thus incompatible, I turned to short wheel based bikes. I did some more looking around and somehow came across the Azub Max. The frame keel alone is inspiring with its graceful bends, the charming modern art sculpture used for the rear fork, and with the two wheels the same size as opposed to the reverse penny farthing silliness that befouls most Long Wheel Base bents, you don't need to immerse yourself in the technicalities. It was just Badass. Bitchin'. it even was the right size, I was sold. I did ask about 27.5 inch wheels, to keep up with current styling, but the boys in Czech said no, in post communist fashion.

Well, the McDonald's-drive-through-feed-me-now-get-one- before-the-late-night-infomercial-is-over part of me was screaming to get one, right now! but aged wisdom strangely prevailed. I needed to see one. Sadly, there were no Azub dealers in New England, let alone Connecticut. I was consigned to go to Jersey Bents, by an act of God, Laurence, chief and owner of Jersey Bents, had one. A really really nice one, delightfully and properly equipped with under seat steering, SRAM 3 speed Dual Drive IGH (Internally Geared Hub for the American English speaking minority) Ventisit seat cushion on the banana seat on steroids (which I like).

I had to make the trip to try it. to avoid the perils of driving through New York, I jumped in the Cessna and flew down to Robbinsville, bummed a ride to the store from a fellow pilot, and saw the darling for the first time.

It was positively lovely, the light glimmering off its sunny yellow, and its warm blue mainframe welcomed me happily. Laurence was out with a cold, but his Partner Charlie at Economy bikes help me out with it. We pulled it out of its spot, and I sat in it. the boom was to short for my arachnid-like legs, so Charlie put a few more lengths in the chain, and extended the boom. I have to say, it actually is a nice advantage to the style, offering additional adjust-ability. If it were a painting, it would be the one Da Vinci reached his pinnacle with, his master piece.

Charlie asked if I had ever ridden a recumbent before. I shepishly confessed I hadn't, to which he said it might take a while to get used to, and he insisted i try it in the parking lot first.

He stood by as I climbed on. Not only am I new to recumbents, but I'm also new to suspension, dual or single, or from school. I like the suspension, very much like the rides in front of walmart. So after exhausting the amusement of the bouncy bouncy, I set off. needless to say he was correct. It did take some getting used to, about 15 seconds worth of shakiness before I was zipping around in a circle. I must confess, the slanted view from banking into a turn reminded me of the view I had an hour earlier, as I was minding my own business putzing along in the Cessna 172 over JFK airport when an airbus A380 rudely cut me off and I had to bank to the left. (those sorts of things happen all the time in New York).

Well, Charlie was either bored watching me or was satisfied i wasn't going to topple. Or perhaps wanted to get rid of me for a few minutes so he sent me off for a tool around the neighborhood. I have to admit, entrusting anyone to tear around the side streets of any town in New Jersey with such an expensive piece of fine art made me feel a bit self conscious, like handling a beautiful golden incan statue. As much of a good time I was having, I didn't want to go for to long least I overstay the privilidge. So I had a good ride, zipping along, enjoying myself. Son however, the ride's narcotic effect was interrupted by the over sized upside down banana seat, and its misbehavior.

Now don't get me wrong, Zamank and company have a marvelous seat adjustment system, which they labeled the Ideal Seat Positioning system. Unfortunately, we didn't tighten the snazzy red levers down enough, and as I was exquisitely reposed and enjoying myself getting high off recumbent, the seat back suddenly dropped back. alarming, slightly terrifying, leaving nothing that I could do, so i kept pumping along. I couldn't believe how comfortable the ride had suddenly become. It was ridiculously enjoyable. I fell further and further into a nice enthralling chaise lounge of growing insouciance, as parked cars and post WWII cape cods flew past. wanted one. A lot. and then, it happened again. the seat went even further back, straining under my fat mass. Well, I had been in that position before. As an accomplished, highly experienced Television Watcher, I am well acquainted with the laid back pose of being flopped into a nice television appreciation chair, legs stretched out, torso leaning back, arms resting at my sides. It was as if Ales Zamanek had my vast TV watching experience in mind, and made a bike that was bold enough to speak to it. Well, there wasn't much I could do as I found myself leaning way back, taking in the lovely new jersey suburbia TV watching style. It was so nice.

Well At some point, I went back parked the bike, and Charlie had his daughter take me back to the airport. I have to say that I had never ridden a bike that made me feel the way that one did, comfortable, viscerally buoyant, and needing more.

It's been several months, and I still want one. so I am getting one.

 

ConAzub!!!

What a fascinating and well written post! I really enjoyed reading about your first date with your Azub Max. I had to look up the bent you were talking about. Here is a picture of it for our readers.



If you want more information you can get it here.

I had a similar story. I went from jogging, to riding DF bikes to recumbents. My recumbent switch was when I was 50. So there are a lot of parallels here. We have a Azub dealer here in East Tennessee though I think they sell mostly their trikes.

I love the set up. I am a big fan of USS (though I own none right now). I too like the SWB bents. All three of my bents are those. The Max has a more extreme riding position than my Bacchettas so it will take some getting used to for a beginner. But from your narrative, it sounds like you got off to a good start.

Let us know when you make the "recumbent plunge". Seems to me if you can afford an airplane, you could afford the Azub Max?? But what do I know???

 

We sold our last AZUB Max in early December. The guy was very pleased...as were we. They are definitely awesome machines.

 

Thanks Rocketmantn

I've looked at the Bacchetta, and the open cockpit steering concept is as obscenely gruesome as ***, so I'm not going there. well actually I will. It looks like the same thing used to steer those poor overburdened creeping electric scooter shopping cart thingies around supermarkets, straining under the massive blobby puffalumps as they foraging for cheese doodles, cookies and beer. While it isn't as absurd as the childish ape hangar handle bars found on Rans bachetta and other LWBs (I love Ran's airplanes by the way) they are definitely a perversion of everything that is fitting on a recumbent, like under seat steering.

The otherwise exquisite Max I rode had the self defeating Sram IGH/ 9 cog cassette monkey copulation in the rear. What's the point of such a silly mating? to me, retaining a rear derailleur in such a way is keeping the horse hitched to a horseless carriage, get rid of the wretched cassette/derailleur horror show! As for the one I am getting at the end of next month, (As Laurence, Chief and knower of all things recumbent at Jersey Bents informs me) It will come with a noble Alfine 8. I'm also getting it with the 3 ring circus of a crank set, 48/36/26 Shimano FCT-4010, with its nerve grating Deore shifter and derailleur. a shameful concession necessary to make while I train on the bike. after that, I might if funding allows, get a Schlumpf and be free of the derailleur oppression.

The brakes will be the mid grade Avid BB7 disk breaks, with Marathon Plus tires, and a ventisit cushion will provide a more television watching like experience.

I don't actually own a plane, I am in a flying club which makes flying cheaper, and since I am a flight instructor, I can foist the operational cost onto someone else, making me able to afford such an expensive, but necessary work of art as the Max.

 

You should get another one. The one I rode aback in April is still there in New Jersey. Where are you located?

 

Thanks!

I'm looking forward for when it arrives in CT.

Should be fun!

 

Not if I want to stay married. I have to get rid of a bent to get another one. And right now I really like the three I have. My Rans VRex is my trail bike. It is perfect for that type of riding. I have two Bacchettas to keep one at home and one at work. I ride mostly at work during my lunch hour (or two). Since I have my own business, I can do that.

 

I don't disagree. That is why I have a custom handlebar arrangement which imitates USS. Here is a picture of my setup.



My hands are not quite as low as a USS but much lower than the normal set up. It works for me though not as clean as USS I agree!

 

I suppose USS does have that disadvantage, the positioning of the hands may lead the public to believe the rider drags his or her knuckles when not riding. But I have no shame.

 

I bought an AZUB 6 in October. It is my first recumbent two wheeler and I love it. Like you, it took all of 5 minutes to get used to it. I will admit the more I ride it the more confidence I get. I bought all of the racks and full suspension, dynamo hub, the works. Its over the seat steering too. My intention is bike packing/camping. I have only made one 76 mile trip with it fully loaded. The rack system really nicely allows the weight to be moved around and lowered as needed. Just guessing, I was peddling at least 90 pounds and she did just fine.

I live in Texas 100 to the North of Houston. I got the bike for single tracking in the Hill Country. My first trip down dirt roads was a bit unnerving. The bike does not like sand at all! I am running Marathon Plus's 1.75's but I believe I need to look into a bit more aggressive tread at least on the front tire.

What did you say that you are 6'6'? Well you have me by one foot two inches. I am at the other end of the spectrum. The boys at Easy Street Recumbents had to cut some off of my Bottom Bracket tube to fit the bike to me. Ive got the seat all the way forward and tilted all the way back and I still slide forward a bit. Ive got to dink with it a bit more.

I am at sea right now of off the coast of Madagascar on a research vessel. I am one month into a two month cruise. This is my job and I do this every two months. So when I get back to shore, you can imagine that I need to get out and see a few trees up close. I am feet dry in February and I am praying for good weather to stretch my recumbent legs a bit. I got the bike and then shipped out again so I'm itching to get back to it. ( Im in my bunk writing this email. The ship's Internet is pretty limited but we are so lucky to have anything)

My recumbent before this was a HP Velotechnik Gekko. I love the trike but its too slow for me and I wanted to get up higher for traffic reasons. HP makes a good product but comparing the Speedmachine, or similar to the Azub, the 6 got my vote because of the toughness and build quality. Also the company was so responsive to my emails and questions.

The Gekko will shake your teeth out if you get off of the pavement. I wanted something with full suspension and the 6 is a most comfortable ride. Its a big bike! There is a lot of area behind the seat and quite a mast head forward.

I do miss not having to un-clip at stop signs or red lights. Do not wear clipless ( dumb word for describing something that clips in) when cycling in towns, sidewalks etc. You have to be able to get out and get your feet down quickly. Be careful of heel strikes. You will get used to that really quickly too. When out in the country I clip in. I feel its nice to let your feet rest some and not have to hold your legs up to the peddles all of the time. In town is suicide!

I need to re-position my water bottles. I dont have the knack yet of being able to reach behind the seat and grab the bottle and peddle steady. Anyway Ive got a lot to learn.

Right now the world has gone Fat Trike Crazy.. How bout a fat tire SWB? What a hoot that would be!

The 6 suits me to perfectly for what I want to do and that is serious long distance Bike Packing. I'm tickled pink!

See you folks on the road sometime!

Bill ( Shakeylegs) Crawford
Senior Imaging Specialist
RV JOIDES Resolution
Texas A&M University ( Gig Um Aggies!)

 

Madagascar? Research vessel? Just what exactly do you do? Anything specific that you are researching? Other than recumbents?

 

Its a geology research vessel and I am part of a group of support techs for the 30 or so scientist on board. Before you get too impressed, Im just a photographer. One day Ill get a real job!
I keep up the microscopes, oversee some specialized scanner equipment, click a few detailed photos of rocks, PR photos and do some video here and there. Actually I work my butt off! You can say Im a "Rock Star !" Just kidding. The real stars are the PHD's we support. I find myself among real intelligence and it is quite humbling.

At the moment we have a bit of a situation. We have pulled out of the hole and we are racing to a little island called Mauritius with a medical emergency. Not to get into too much detail, this is not life threatening and not a result of an accident or neglect, but just something that is beyond our little hospital and technology on the ship. We have another month out here and this thing could get worse and its not worth the risk to our worthy brother. So we are steaming to within helicopter range, make the transfer and hi-tail it back to explore the Earths Mantle.

Right now the seas are rocking and rolling and I am a bit out of sorts. Id love to sit here and chat. I must drag myself upstairs and attend to my duties. So I will wish you an early happy new years as I am on the sun rising side of the International Date line. Be well and peddle hard!

Bill

 

Here is a handy how-to DIY. It is for an azub tandem, however, with a few modifications to the conversion you see in the video, you can bring it with you and use it on your next expedition.



Hopefully, your shipmates will return in good health.

 

Unfortunately, we have a team of Internet Big Brothers who by blood oath recited under a full moon have promised that no, not one video shall be viewed or downloaded on the ship. Ahhh another words they blocked this link.. the rotten B#$%$$#$%#ds. They have tiny winy little ahhhh band width.