New SWB bent from Rans: the Enduro Sport

Hi Folks,

I just got in from Interbike about an hour or so ago. Wanted to post this before hitting the sack, because it's pretty interesting.

OK, so Rans presented a new SWB bent: the Enduro Sport. It's basically the F5 in a 20x26 configuration; so a combo of the V-Rex and the F5. 2" diameter Mono-tube frame. Has an over-under idler, so it looks an awful lot like the Bachetta Giro 20. Handlebars: current V-Rex style, superman.

Components same as current V-Rex (as shown at the show). They showed it in a beautiful deep metallic red they call "Rush Red" (not the Corvette red of their other bikes). The paint looks great.

Randy Schlitter (designer/president) told me they'll offer it in Small, Medium and Large, which is great, since Rans didn't have a SWB bent for smaller riders.

What's also cool is that it has a lower seat height than the V-Rex, making it both more stable, and even better for smaller riders. I don't have the measurements for the bottom bracket, but it felt pretty close to the V-Rex in terms of BB to seat height: aero, but not high-racer.

They are keeping the long seat rail, so it's still a highly adjustable bike. Same seat stays/sprint braces as current.

The rear braze-ons are positioned in a new way -- at the tail end of the frame -- maybe hard to imagine -- which should make it easier to mount a rack and fenders w/o the rack mounting kits.

It was shown in 4130 Chromoly steel.

Making this yet more interesting is that Randy is considering making it available in a 20x20 optional configuration, so we will again have something like the Rocket, which is good news for urban riders.

The bike also has braze-ons for a totally new style of under seat rack that will be Rans-designed. The rack wasn't shown, and presumably it isn't yet priced, but certainly one can hope that it will have a slightly lower price than the underseat rack from Terracycle, but who knows.

Retail price will be $1485 (not including sales tax or shipping surcharges), so this will be the entry level SWB bent.

In summary, I enjoyed riding it. I tested it at decent speed on a slippery polished cement floor; it was responsive and possible to sense whether the tires were losing their grip or not. I feel this is a good direction, certainly for the NY City urban market. If you already have a V-Rex or Rocket, it's pretty similar, but if you were considering in the future buying a V-Rex or the B-brand's Giro, I would urge new customers to consider it.

Photos....alas. I missed my chance. I'll post one as soon as I get something from Rans. If anyone else on the group got a photo, please post!

Regarding other bikes, I only carry SWB bents, so I didn't look carefully at the Long Wheelbase 'bents or crank-forwards. But they had an XStream there and it sounded like they may offer it in 3 different configurations at 3 diff. price points. I was told it may be a while before the website is updated with the new info., but of course that's the best place to check.

Best,

Robert Matson

NYC Recumbent Supply (TM)

The Innovation Works, Inc.

http://www.NYCRecumbentSupply.com