Looking for bent owners/riders in Mid TN

Just got off the phone with him. He sells Suns by appointment only. I'm going to go see him, just because so far, other than one private Catrike owner willing to let me ride his trike, this is the only place I've found other than Signal Mt. and St. Louis with bikes in stock.

Anyone got an opinion on Suns?

 

Well at the current time, the bikes we intend to sell will be mainly for road and/or greenway usage. They aren't exactly designed for "off-road" or rough pavement. However, there is a video on You-tube that shows a bunch of guys riding some off road trikes (delta style) through the Woods on some dirt trails. It is quite a video to see. Gives a new name to mountain biking. hahaYou might try looking for it in order to get an idea of what they can do. As for the future...it will be untelling what William will design up next.

 

I've ridden my V-Rex on the VA Creeper trail many times and on the KATY in St. Charles, MO (both Rails-To-Trails conversions). The Creeper has a crushed cinder surface and the KATY a crushed limestone surface. The V-Rex does perfectly fine on these trails.

The SWB Canto is similar to the V-Rex and I expect it would also do well on these surfaces also. I would suspect the LWB Koosa/Jett Creek would work on these types of surfaces too, though I can't say for certain since I've never ridden a long wheelbase on either of these trails.

 

Yeah, I've seen a lot of videos of people pushing the envelope a bit on trikes on youtube. Some are very interesting, others just make me scratch my head. What I'm riding certainly will not involve me being airborne on a trike, I think a good set of 20" bmx tires or the like would sufice to provide grip for what I'm thinking of doing on a trike.

I'm a little bit of a gear head. I realize none of these things are "intended" for off road use, however, I like to compare it to, for instance a car. A certain car may have a particular advantage - the only car in it's class with a V8 for example. Granted it's a low power V8, and the transmission is only designed to hold, say 400hp. There's nothing stopping you from doing a little work on the engine, and getting 600hp out of it, you just have to be mindful that you don't dump the clutch at 4k rpms, or you'll leave chunks of drive line scattered on the road.

In similar fashion, I think with a little work the right trike will do what I want done handily, and without a whole lot of additional cost or work. And I've caught on from past experience, and won't be dumping the clutch

 

By the way, I've also ridden my old Linear CLWB with 16/20 wheels on th creper. It did fine.

 

Lost track of the number of times I've had my Rocket on the VA Creeper Trail, including several trips up the mountain. Also have done most of the New River Trail and all of the KATY Trail. All rail trails. Aside from occasionally wishing for some shocks on the rear wheel, esp. on the upper end of the Creeper, the Rocket with its 20" dual wheels has never failed to get me there and back safely.

Dave "The Breeze"

 

The SUN Tomahawk is the only model that vaguely holds any interest for me. It's based on the Easy Racers Javelin.

IIRC, a reviewer someplace mentioned that it's a heavy bike (near 40 LBS.?) and questioned the placement of a U-brake on the front. Can't remember much else. Not exactly a steal at $999.

 

I think I've got your answer, Drew. I live in Dickson, just south of Clarksville. I ride a RANS Stratus XP, a LWB Cadillac of a bike, one that will definitely give you a genuine 'bent experience. This is definitely one of the best 'bents on the road. I'd be glad for you to test ride it.

 

Larry,

Are you going to ride the next Clarksville Sunrise Century??? Looks like Dave and I will be.

 

If I am anywhere near Middle Tennessee, Jon, yes, I plan to ride the Century. Last year I was all signed up and ready, then got sick the week before the ride. I was so disappointed.

For some reason, ever since I moved up to the Nashville area last August, I've had a series of health problems. I can't explain it. Right now I just got over the flu, had to miss school for three days, and I still have symptoms of it.

So I may look for other employment this fall, in a more healthy climate. I'm looking into a few options. I need to do something.

 

Greetings to Nashville-area 'bent riders, from a newbie wanna-be. I am a mid-50s male trying to get back into biking after a 30-year layoff. I discovered that regular bikes hurt me now. I tried a Sun EZ-1 and a couple of Sun trikes, and the comfort was great. But I think I want something better. I am very interested in the Rans Stratus and the Tour Easy, or some similar LWB. If anyone knows of places to try out any good 'bents within a reasonable drive, please clue me in.
Bill

 

Hi Bill,

And

Best place to try out bikes is with Art Hagood. Here is his website. Click here.
He is retired and works out of his house in Signal Mountain TN (next to Chattanooga.) He works by appointments only. Plan to spend the day with him. He will really help you pick the right bent for you and teach you how to ride it.

Search our site for Art Hagood and you will see other threads. Click here.

 

Greetings, Bill. I also am an early-50s male who has been into 'bents for about 6 years. The EZ-1 and trikes in general are on the heavy side. One of our members, Buddy, has a Tour Easy that he rode with us across Missouri on the Katy Trail. His only complaint is that it was too big for him. He occasionally monitors this board, so you might address questions to him. He might be interested in parting with it. Al rides a Stratus with a full fairing which he likes very much. Personally my first and only 'bent is a RANS Rocket. Very much like the SWB and fast response. Easier to transport, too. Wonder if there's anywhere in Nashville that deals in 'bents? Art can be difficult to reach as he & wife travel a great deal.

 

Is Art typically easier to reach by e-mail or by phone? I sent him an e-mail a few days ago but haven't received a response. I'm wondering if I should give him a call?

 

Art & Anne typically travel for weeks at a time. If you have emailed, wait a week. If no response, you can leave a message on his answering machine at home. They will get back with you. You just have to remember they are retired and this is really a hobby for him. But he is the BEST PERSON to work with in getting your first, second or third bent.