LWB vs SWB (VRex vs Tomahawk)

I am looking for thoughts on LWB vs SWB recumbents. I can purchase a RANS V Rex or a SUN Tomahawk locally for the same price. I figured I would ask the opinions of the group about each.

 

The V Rex.



Or the Sun Tomahawk



They are two very different bents.

The LWB is like a yacht. Very smooth ride. Very slow response time. Easier learning curve. A bear to transport.

The SWB is like a speed boat. The ride is bumpier (but not bad). Very quick response time (some folks will say it is "twitchy"). Harder learning curve. (Feet are up higher, leaning back further.) As easy as a regular bike to transport.

Which is for you???? Try them both out and see which you like the best. It will take a couple of months before you are comfortable on either bent.

For me, the V Rex is the winner. Of course I have owned 2 of them (still own 1 now) and it is my greenway , Rails-To-Trails, and general all around bent. One of the best all purpose bents ever made. And for some reason Rans quit making them last year.

I am sure you will get other feedback too. Again, it is not what WE think is right, but what feels right to you.

Good luck and thanks for posting your question here.

 

To each

I have ridden and owned a swb and lwb. Each have their own unique differences. I enjoy a swb (which I regret selling) for the ease of certain maneuvers and the lwb for it's comfort, slower pace and relaxing qualities. I would have to say it comes down to...to each his own. If you were buying just a lwb it would be like comparing apples to apples but you are trying to compare apples to Volkswagens. Each are nice in their own right but you don't want to ride an apple or eat a vw. Preference is key as well as riding purpose i.e. casual, commute or exercise. The only important detail is to get out and ride.

 

IMO either is far better than a DF bike for many reasons. Also again IMO a LWB bent is a better bike to start riding bents with. And---they are safer since it is nearly impossible to to a header on.

 

Seems we covered everything well,

OP, do remember to really think about 'Living' with the bike.

LWB's and second floor apartments, not so easy.

I love my Tour Easy but I mostly ride right out of my garage and have a
Ford F-150 to haul it in.

both are good deals right ?
so,,,

you,,,

could,,,

get,,,

both !
,
,
,
,
Your going to want both anyways..

 

I have a little seat time on both and the VRex was the clear winner for me.

 

Can I be a bit rude and sort of hijack the thread. I am tossing around a similar question at the moment but in my case I am considering a Easy Racer Gold Rush Replica or a Stratus XP (more likely) against a Lightening P-38.

Anyway looking at the photos posted early in the thread and what I have seen of the RANS (seen a Stratus LE) and the P-38 would it be fair to say the riding position in terms of seat angle is pretty similar on both bikes, i.e., fairly upright? I am more curious in terms of the P-38 as I know about the LWB.

Thanks
Andrew

 

I'll take the hijack here and then throw in my $.02 on the LWB vs. SWB.

First the hijack . . . I have owned 3 SWB bikes, a Burley HepCat, a Rans V-rex and a Lightning P-38. I had just about written off a SWB because of my . . . MY experience with the HepCat and the V-rex, both excellent bikes while riding, sporty and fast and I loved them at first. My problem was with the starts and stops because of the seat height and more laid back seating position, I felt unstable with my foot on the ground. I'm about 5'7", my legs aren't the longest and I was using my tippy toe to balance while on my brakes and other foot on the pedal ready to launch. THEN I bought a Lightning P-38 . . . WOW, I love it!!! The low and compact seating position I find outstanding!!! I now understand all of the hubbub about the P-38.


LWB vs SWB . . . luxury vs. sport or Cadillac vs. Corvette in my opinion. My first LWB recumbent bike was a Sun ez-1. I was hooked, then I just wanted a better bike, then a Sun Sport AX, then a Easy Racers Tour Easy. I really like my Tour Easy and have no plans on selling it, it is my Cadillac. So I had 3 LWB bikes and liked all 3, but the TE is my bike.

As for the SWB (see hijack), I have no plans on selling my P-38 either. I had no problems selling my HepCat or the V-rex even though they were/are great bikes. After a while I just didn't ride them because I didn't feel comfortable on them (AGAIN, this is just me). Now, when I go for a bike ride I'm torn as to what bike I'm going to take the TE or P-38. I really love them both and feel like I have the best of both L&SWB.

I guess what I'm trying to say is you won't know until you get a little AIS time (a** in seat) on the bike to see if that bike will work for you whether it is a SWB or a LWB. I have bought all 7 of my bikes used and have sold 5 so don't worry about buying a bike you don't really like, you'll be able to sell it and try something else. You will know when you get a bike you really like.

I hope this helped,
John

 

Tour Easy next to P-38

My Tour Easy next to my P-38. Maybe the comparison will help.

I also don't have a problem transporting either one on my Swagman XTC Cross-Country 2 bike bike rack.

 

Thanks. Looking at your photo the seat reclines more on the P-38. It has been suggested a Recurve seat maybe an option on the Giro; I have the Euromesh at present.

Thanks
Andrew

 

Tadpole Tadpole Tadpole

You got to test ride one!

 

Bit hard unless you know of a owner with one here No dealer in the country.

Andrew

 

By chance two locally built bikes [by the designer builder of the now defunct LoGo Trikes] have come on the market in the last few days. Might give me a chance to get a taste of the two design concepts at least.





Andrew