pretty neat that you can find recumbent bicycles in the $300 range on craigslist. rear suspension is nice on a recumbent because you cant stand up on the pedals over bumps
I have two of these AT models. One I bought new around '99 or so, and I've kept it in good shape and ridden it for 1000's of miles. Just picked up another (used/consignment) at a local bike shop. Paid $350 for it. The used one's AD-5 shock wouldn't hold air, even after the Cane Creek re-build kit was tried, so the shop put in a 260 KS coil spring shock in place of the AD-5, works GREAT! I've owned quite a few bikes in my day, and enjoyed them all. But if I had to pick only one bike to keep and ride for the rest of my days, I wouldn't miss a beat making my decision, gimme the Bike-E AT!
I am in a similar situation. The cane Creek air shock on my AT is leaking air. They don't sell the rebuild kits anymore. So i am looking for a replacment shock to replace it with. I don't know the dimensions such as the bolt diemeter and the length of the shock to make a proper replacment through amazon. I looked up the model you shared and found that available on amazon. But i am not sure if that comes in different models with different specification for the BikeE replacement. In any case thanks for sharing your story of finding a coil spring replacement option. It give me hope i can find a low cost replacment. BTW, for anyone who needs to know .. the bushings for the seat mounts can be printed with a 3D printer. SO if you need to replace your. you can. You could also have the 3d printed in alumin if you want through a 3d printing house or just print them with ABS or PLA on a home 3d printer. The print file is available free at various 3d printing sites such as Thiniverse .
i liked my bike e , but also had an infinity long wheel base / under seat steering bicycle. i think the infinity is the coolest recumbent ever made. they come up all the time and are cheap.. GET ONE!!!!!YOU HAVE TOOOOOO
Hey anyone notice a complete lack of coasting ability on these Bike E bikes? my mom has one and is about to get rid of it. She complains that it won't even coast going down hill. I checked the brakes for and other parts around the wheels for rubbing and everything seems fine. Anyone know if these have cheap bearings in the wheels or something else wrong with it?
Ball bearing need lube my bike e cruises effortlessly & make sure tire pressure is up to specs..my bike e has around 18,000 milea still mint except for rear rim internal gears had to replace 3speed internal gearing w/new..
Sorry, I simply cannot agree with you that the Bike-E is a "good bike". The extreme rear weight bias results in the front wheel being lightly loaded twitchy and ineffective. There are many other used recumbent options that aren't as limited by questionable design choices.
I live in Northern Ireland, have owned two BikeEs in my time and influence the purchase of a third one. Most likely they are the only BikeEs in the whole of Ireland. I bought my first one in May 2002 after a disaster with a Pashley PDQ SWB 'bent. I was able to get on the BikeE and ride straightaway. I'm expecting my first BikeE AT this week, having bought it on eBay from a seller in the south of England. I'm looking forward to riding a recumbent again especially one with suspension. I really appreciate your thoughts on the AT and I'm really looking forward to riding mine whenever it arrives. *Edit* I have my AT and have even managed a short ride (11 miles) on it. It is so much more comfortable that the CTs I rode previously. It's just a pity it's Autumn so the days are getting shorter. I hope to put some miles in before I have to leave off riding until next Spring.
I am one of only about 5 people who own a bike-E in the UK. They are a great recumbent but do have a few problems... Check the welding around the headset to make sure it isn't cracked and check the alignment of the back axle. The build quality on the bike-E was not too good. and the back axle may be out. You can tell by coasting the bike down a long straight hill and see if it crabs sideways. If it does get your local workshop to fit it. You will also need a high pressure pump to get air into the shock and here in the UK. they ain't cheap! Hope you enjoy the bike. It always attracts attention when you go out on it!
UFORMPK the anodizing fading, seat cover biodegrading and rust on the the chrome steering tube were the issues with mine. not a high speed bike with the 16 inch front wheel. i liked to sit far forward on the seat for a more reclined position , looked cooler and felt less like riding a big wheel
I am amazed at all the complaining about the qualities of the Bike E in these comments and in the video. Unfortunately when I bought mine I could not find the AT model with the air shock. Even so, with a rigid ride, I find the bike very reliable, fast (coasting extremely well), and very stable even downhill at 30 to 35 mph. Possibly the rigid frame handles the speed better. I have had mine for 16 years, and ridden thousands of miles with very few problems. I’ve replaced tires, one Sram Grip Shift shifter, and the bearings in the crank assembly. That’s it.
I'd agree with you for I clocked 41mph on my CT and it tracked straight and true when I had it. I'm getting an AT this week and am looking forward to getting back on the one recumbent that has introduced more people to recumbent riding than any other make. It is a testament to the quality of the bike that they are still around 16 years after the company went down.
Justin Avery one of the best toys i ever got. you have to get one. typing recumbent into the general search box on craigslist is probably the best place to look
I did, just after I watched this video and did some more reading. I found one that was listed for only $150 but I had to drive 165 miles to get it. I was lucky that it was in really good condition. It also came with the factory bag. It just needed new seat clamps. The guy I bought it from did not know about the recall and you can buy new high quality clamps for $40 online. So I just got new clamps and fixed it.
I just bought a Bike E for 120.00 Canadian this last week. I rode home with 2 of the 21 gears working? no front brake as it was in pieces and the rear tire brittle with age. So promptly took it apart. Changed the shifter as it had stripped gears in the shifter mechanism, and the tire has been replaced with a 2.4" wide tire. I was looking at your video hoping for as closeup of the front brake system as mine is not there , and what is there is not a V-brake? I am also hoping to put a 20 inch front end on this bent but that may require welding as the 1-1/4" head tube is unlike any other bike on the market. suggestions appreciated! Thanks for posting your video.
if you put a bigger front tire on a bike E, the pedals will hit the front tire when you try to turn. cant remember the brakes and dont have the bicycle anymore
@@polok890 I got the brakes working and I now have a sluggish Internal gear hub and not so smooth shifting as I had to change the derailleur as well. Got to match up these things later so it performs. I am running 155 mm crank arms and the front fork will be disc rather than V-brake or what is on there now. Pedal fork interference is not a problem , however if I were to run a v-brake there would be some catching of the noodle. I see the only picture I have I can not send but there is another picture online where the guy had to bend his crank arms to allow the shock fork clearance. I do not want a shock on the front and other pictures present no fork pedal interference. Next up is waiting for the 1-1/4 to 1-1/8" reducer so I can run a 1-1/8" fork in the frame . still have to google instructions on the 3 speed hub gears and how they function.
Just picked up one identical to yours but silver at a thrift store for $25 bucks yesterday. It's missing the seat and the left side shifter is broken. Other than that, it's clean. No scratches, rust, or anything. Looks garage kept. Tires is broken down, going to be a good project to get going again.
,,,I bought a new one of these new not realizing it was an accident waiting to happen . putting through the gears I found the frame has a high center of gravity that with that with one quick turn the front wheel slides out from under ,and lays down sideways . I broke my ankle in 3 places and when i finally came around and wanted to file a lawsuit bike z waz outta biz. Junk absolute
The extreme rear weight bias of the Bike-E has always been my major complaint of the bike. The 16" front wheel, super relaxed head tube and steering design in my opinion limits the Bike-E to an entry level, low speed, bike path only ride. A fellow local recumbent member Paul Atwood designed the Bike-E, I believe the best feature is the rectangular box beam I had used on my builds. Sorry to learn that you discovered the Bike-E's limitations the hard way.
![DDG & G Herbo - Nosey [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/I9Ra0Zc2NlQ/mqdefault.jpg)
I have two of these AT models. One I bought new around '99 or so, and I've kept it in good shape and ridden it for 1000's of miles. Just picked up another (used/consignment) at a local bike shop. Paid $350 for it. The used one's AD-5 shock wouldn't hold air, even after the Cane Creek re-build kit was tried, so the shop put in a 260 KS coil spring shock in place of the AD-5, works GREAT! I've owned quite a few bikes in my day, and enjoyed them all. But if I had to pick only one bike to keep and ride for the rest of my days, I wouldn't miss a beat making my decision, gimme the Bike-E AT!
I am in a similar situation. The cane Creek air shock on my AT is leaking air. They don't sell the rebuild kits anymore. So i am looking for a replacment shock to replace it with. I don't know the dimensions such as the bolt diemeter and the length of the shock to make a proper replacment through amazon. I looked up the model you shared and found that available on amazon. But i am not sure if that comes in different models with different specification for the BikeE replacement. In any case thanks for sharing your story of finding a coil spring replacement option. It give me hope i can find a low cost replacment. BTW, for anyone who needs to know .. the bushings for the seat mounts can be printed with a 3D printer. SO if you need to replace your. you can. You could also have the 3d printed in alumin if you want through a 3d printing house or just print them with ABS or PLA on a home 3d printer. The print file is available free at various 3d printing sites such as Thiniverse .
i liked my bike e , but also had an infinity long wheel base / under seat steering bicycle. i think the infinity is the coolest recumbent ever made. they come up all the time and are cheap.. GET ONE!!!!!YOU HAVE TOOOOOO
Hey anyone notice a complete lack of coasting ability on these Bike E bikes? my mom has one and is about to get rid of it. She complains that it won't even coast going down hill. I checked the brakes for and other parts around the wheels for rubbing and everything seems fine. Anyone know if these have cheap bearings in the wheels or something else wrong with it?
Ball bearing need lube my bike e cruises effortlessly & make sure tire pressure is up to specs..my bike e has around 18,000 milea still mint except for rear rim internal gears had to replace 3speed internal gearing w/new..
Отличный велосипед! Я даже не знал, что промышленность делает такие.
Sorry, I simply cannot agree with you that the Bike-E is a "good bike". The extreme rear weight bias results in the front wheel being lightly loaded twitchy and ineffective. There are many other used recumbent options that aren't as limited by questionable design choices.
I live in Northern Ireland, have owned two BikeEs in my time and influence the purchase of a third one. Most likely they are the only BikeEs in the whole of Ireland. I bought my first one in May 2002 after a disaster with a Pashley PDQ SWB 'bent. I was able to get on the BikeE and ride straightaway. I'm expecting my first BikeE AT this week, having bought it on eBay from a seller in the south of England. I'm looking forward to riding a recumbent again especially one with suspension. I really appreciate your thoughts on the AT and I'm really looking forward to riding mine whenever it arrives. *Edit* I have my AT and have even managed a short ride (11 miles) on it. It is so much more comfortable that the CTs I rode previously. It's just a pity it's Autumn so the days are getting shorter. I hope to put some miles in before I have to leave off riding until next Spring.
Looks pretty old and used
One thing I have done is put 2" 3M high intensity reflective white tape on the along sides under the seat and in front of the Bike E logo.
I am one of only about 5 people who own a bike-E in the UK. They are a great recumbent but do have a few problems... Check the welding around the headset to make sure it isn't cracked and check the alignment of the back axle. The build quality on the bike-E was not too good. and the back axle may be out. You can tell by coasting the bike down a long straight hill and see if it crabs sideways. If it does get your local workshop to fit it. You will also need a high pressure pump to get air into the shock and here in the UK. they ain't cheap! Hope you enjoy the bike. It always attracts attention when you go out on it!
UFORMPK the anodizing fading, seat cover biodegrading and rust on the the chrome steering tube were the issues with mine. not a high speed bike with the 16 inch front wheel. i liked to sit far forward on the seat for a more reclined position , looked cooler and felt less like riding a big wheel
I just bought a $10 hand pump, and shoved down on it as hard as I could and it worked great.
I am amazed at all the complaining about the qualities of the Bike E in these comments and in the video. Unfortunately when I bought mine I could not find the AT model with the air shock. Even so, with a rigid ride, I find the bike very reliable, fast (coasting extremely well), and very stable even downhill at 30 to 35 mph. Possibly the rigid frame handles the speed better. I have had mine for 16 years, and ridden thousands of miles with very few problems. I’ve replaced tires, one Sram Grip Shift shifter, and the bearings in the crank assembly. That’s it.
I'd agree with you for I clocked 41mph on my CT and it tracked straight and true when I had it. I'm getting an AT this week and am looking forward to getting back on the one recumbent that has introduced more people to recumbent riding than any other make. It is a testament to the quality of the bike that they are still around 16 years after the company went down.
Is the frame made from aluminum rectangle tubing?
Yes, its aluminum and cast as one piece/ bike e frame
@@polok890 How fast did you get her up to on the flats?
Thank's for the video, It gave me some info on theses curious looking bikes. I have seen a few. I wanted a recumbent. I am going to get one now..
Justin Avery one of the best toys i ever got. you have to get one. typing recumbent into the general search box on craigslist is probably the best place to look
I did, just after I watched this video and did some more reading. I found one that was listed for only $150 but I had to drive 165 miles to get it. I was lucky that it was in really good condition. It also came with the factory bag. It just needed new seat clamps. The guy I bought it from did not know about the recall and you can buy new high quality clamps for $40 online. So I just got new clamps and fixed it.
I just bought a Bike E for 120.00 Canadian this last week. I rode home with 2 of the 21 gears working? no front brake as it was in pieces and the rear tire brittle with age. So promptly took it apart. Changed the shifter as it had stripped gears in the shifter mechanism, and the tire has been replaced with a 2.4" wide tire. I was looking at your video hoping for as closeup of the front brake system as mine is not there , and what is there is not a V-brake? I am also hoping to put a 20 inch front end on this bent but that may require welding as the 1-1/4" head tube is unlike any other bike on the market. suggestions appreciated!
Thanks for posting your video.
if you put a bigger front tire on a bike E, the pedals will hit the front tire when you try to turn. cant remember the brakes and dont have the bicycle anymore
@@polok890 I got the brakes working and I now have a sluggish Internal gear hub and not so smooth shifting as I had to change the derailleur as well. Got to match up these things later so it performs. I am running 155 mm crank arms and the front fork will be disc rather than V-brake or what is on there now. Pedal fork interference is not a problem , however if I were to run a v-brake there would be some catching of the noodle. I see the only picture I have I can not send but there is another picture online where the guy had to bend his crank arms to allow the shock fork clearance. I do not want a shock on the front and other pictures present no fork pedal interference.
Next up is waiting for the 1-1/4 to 1-1/8" reducer so I can run a 1-1/8" fork in the frame . still have to google instructions on the 3 speed hub gears and how they function.
@@polok890 thats not necesarrily true with all bikes, hes talking abkut this one and how would you know if you dont have the bike any mkre
I used u bolts in front and behind the seat to hold it in place on my e bike. They cost 7.40 so a cheap fix.
how did you mount the u-bolts to hold and mount the seat?
wondering hoew much you pais for it.
100 bucks
Just picked up one identical to yours but silver at a thrift store for $25 bucks yesterday. It's missing the seat and the left side shifter is broken. Other than that, it's clean. No scratches, rust, or anything. Looks garage kept. Tires is broken down, going to be a good project to get going again.
How much and how hard to replace the seat?
25 bucks? Dude you got a hell of a steal. Is it fast? Comfortable?
How much did u pay for it???
$!00 on craigslist, recumbents are on craigslists. usually $250 is as low as they go
@@polok890 really wow good deal. I am trying to buy one in mint condish for 150 but trying to get the owner to go even lower.
,,,I bought a new one of these new not realizing it was an accident waiting to happen . putting through the gears I found the frame has a high center of gravity that with that with one quick turn the front wheel slides out from under ,and lays down sideways . I broke my ankle in 3 places and when i finally came around and wanted to file a lawsuit bike z waz outta biz. Junk absolute
The extreme rear weight bias of the Bike-E has always been my major complaint of the bike. The 16" front wheel, super relaxed head tube and steering design in my opinion limits the Bike-E to an entry level, low speed, bike path only ride. A fellow local recumbent member Paul Atwood designed the Bike-E, I believe the best feature is the rectangular box beam I had used on my builds. Sorry to learn that you discovered the Bike-E's limitations the hard way.