Considering Switching to a Recumbent

City Cyclist in Fort Worth (on McCart, just south of I-20) has a pretty good selection of bents. They are also great about just talking to you and helping you figure out what you need. They have a good selection of bents to test ride.

If you don't want to make the trip right away, call them up and talk to them; Mike will probably talk your ear off about recumbents. If you're close enough to drive to Dallas, Fort Worth is just a little further. They just sold a bent to a guy in Sulfur Springs.

There are bents that are designed for touring that are built pretty ruggedly and can carry a lot of weight, so I bet they can fix you up. Tell them Doohickie sent you; I'm a regular there.

 

Hi, GT -

My bent (08 Rans V3) holds up to rough chipseal pretty well, once I put on some 1.5" mountain bike tires. I am 6'-2" and I am right at the max for the standard frame size; you are probably going to be looking at large or XL frame sizes for most bikes.

Take a look at Lightfoot Cycles; they make some mountain-bike type recumbents intended for rough and off-road use. Not cheap but very well constructed and well-rated.

 

DFW and Beyond

Plano Cycling and Fitness carry some recumbent biikes in the DFW area. PCF and City Cyclist in Fort Worth seem to have the best reputation for service and selection in the metroplex area. If you don't mind going a bit farther afield, try Easy Street Recumbents in Austin. They have a great website and can help you determine the right bike for your needs. Also, they are having their annual Bent Event on April 18th. It is a great opportunity to see and try out many different bikes. Easy Street Recumbents

 

City Cyclist has some nice trikes, too... although I think the last three recumbents they've sold were tadpoles so they might be a little low on those.

 

If you are interested in trikes, we are having the Texas Catrike Rally on March 13 & 14 in the DFW area. Dallas White Rock Lake on Saturday (TeePee Hill, 12 noon) and Fort Worth Trinity Trail on Sunday ( Riverfront Drive trailhead, just off University, 9:30am Breakfast at Ol South Pancake House, 8am). It isn't limited to Catrikes, and bikes are welcome too. If you want to come by, there will be folks happy to tell you about their rides.

 

You *are* aware that the trail is closed east from that trailhead to the other side of University, yes?

 

Yes. We are riding down toward Benbrook, beginning just past the current construction. We will access the trail at the intersection of Riverfront and Rogers. I had originally planned to start the ride downtown, but some of the folks attending didn't want to ride down University to bypass the construction.

 

That's great! Congratulations on your purchase. Hope you have many happy miles of riding.

 

Hmmmm... I was at City Cyclist at 2 pm Saturday and they said you hadn't been there yet. I know they normally close at 4 on Saturdays.... did you get there later, and did they stay open later to accommodate you? Wait... actually, maybe you didn't identify yourself as coming from a long ways away and they didn't realize you were the guy I mentioned to them?

Anyway, I'm glad they were able to take care of you!

 

Yeah, I figured it out later. They said you were from Dallas so I thought it was someone else. I stopped by on the way home today and we figured it out. I'm glad you like the bike so far. I live about two miles from that shop.

 

At your height and weight, I'd start my 2-wheeler search by looking at RANS. They have several models with triangulated frames and the ability to take >1.5" wide tires. They don't weigh as much as the Suns, either.

 

Sounds like another trip west is in your future! (City Cyclist has Rans bikes too.) Maybe we'll get a chance to meet this time.