haluzak owners, tell me what you think .
Douglas Cole
experiences with these 'bents.
It would be my first USS 'bent, and SWB (well they look like an SWB/MWB)
and wonder how folks have liked theirs or not.
The seat doesn't look as adjustable as my Burley Taiko, but maybe I just
don't see it .
I am 6'2" so hopefully it would fit me.
Snow is mostly gone now and no ice, maybe I go riding soon :^)
tia for any input
peace
Doug
Spokane,WA
stratrider
times including at Haluzak's shop in Santa Rosa. If you are locked
into USS, I think the Horizon is an outstanding bike. It's well made,
nicely finished, and competitively priced. Haluzak uses a linkage
mechanism (like Ryan Vanguard) to connect the handlebars to the front
wheel. I like that set up much better than Vision's direct connect. I
do have issues with the sling seat. I think you are right. It is not
as adjustable as your Burley. That's something that you will have to
wrestle with. If you are not locked into USS, take a look at the high
racers before you buy. I bought a Bacchetta Strada in the Spring. At
6'2", you'll have no problem with the seat height. With pricing that
is close to the Horizon I think it's worth a look.
Jim Reilly
Reading, PA
RANS Stratus & Bacchetta Strada
Tracy
fun factor are first rate. The underseat steering is perfectly
egronomic, the brakes and bar end shifters are wonderfully placed. The
unobstructed view and stable ride give you a fighter pilot feeling that
does not go away after owning one for a couple of years.
The seat angle is adjustable. You will be able to find the perfect
angle after a little time getting used to the bike. The seat bottom is
not comfortable, I supplement it with a pad. The seat is the weakest
link of the bike, but overall the seat is not that bad.
I recommend knee-savers. They not only helped my knees, they help
prevent your heel from hitting the wheel. They also make clicking out
easier.
Buy the fenders with the bike, unless you enjoy getting tad pole slime
flung on the back of your neck everytime you have to ride through a
puddle. (I live in Houston, the water stays on the trail where I ride
for long periods of time in certain places.)
Mark Leuck
"Tracy" <sltr...@ev1.net> wrote in message news:3FE110FB...@ev1.net...
> The handling, balance, manuverability, stability, steering, braking and
> fun factor are first rate. The underseat steering is perfectly
> egronomic, the brakes and bar end shifters are wonderfully placed. The
> unobstructed view and stable ride give you a fighter pilot feeling that
> does not go away after owning one for a couple of years.
>
> The seat angle is adjustable. You will be able to find the perfect
> angle after a little time getting used to the bike. The seat bottom is
> not comfortable, I supplement it with a pad. The seat is the weakest
> link of the bike, but overall the seat is not that bad.
The problem I had was if you lean back the seat at all my feet would no
longer touch the ground, had they split the seat like my Vision it wouldn't
have been a big deal. (I'm 5'10")
Other than that the bike was excellent
Chris Crawford
new modified Horizon that Kelvin and I came up with. I think they've
had some success with it. It's a stiffer bike with the weight further
back. A pretty good bike if you don't want to get into the low-racer
high BB variety.
Regards
Chris Crawford
<Chas>
news:pan.2003.12.17....@qwest.net...
I've ridden my Hybrid Race for almost 5,000 miles in three years (yeah I
know it's no record but it's wonderful for me). I commuted 2 or 3 days a
week from April to Augustthis year, 22 miles each way in heavy Silicon
Valley traffic. I've ridden a couple of centuries, and many 50-60 mile
recreational rides.
Pros:
The Haluzak bikes are extremely well made. The USS is very ergonomic, with
the bar ends and shifters falling exactly where my hands are in a fully
relaxed position. The Hybrid Race I purchased is built of 0.043 tubing
rather than the 0.039 that is normally spec'ed (I weighed 200+ when I bought
the bike). In that configuration, the bike weighed 31 lbs. In the 451/700
configuration, the bottom bracket and seat height are almost exactly equal
at ~23" The bike is elegant looking with very clean lines and no extraneous
parts or protrusions. The factory is very responsive to telephone calls. The
component quality is higher than what you will find on bikes of similar
price (at least this was true when I bought mine 3 years ago). The HHR is
truly a SWB, with mine measuring 42". It fits the Yakima Copperhead tray on
my car rack perfectly.
Cons:
In the 451/700 configuration, there is no possibility of a rear fender, so
road spooge gets all over the back of your head when you ride in the wet.
The weight distribution is 60% front/40% rear, which makes handling on loose
or wet surfaces a little twitchy. The seat front rises as the seat back
reclines-when combined with the ~23" seat height, it means you had better
have long legs if you want to lay the seat back very much, or you should
order the bike with the 409 front wheel. The 451 front wheel limits the
choice of tires, and further limits the availability of tires. I have to
special order every new front tire through my local bike shop - which I do
out of choice rather than order from the more plentiful suppliers on the
net. The factory doesn't do email. I sent them an email in July and haven't
received a reply. I called them last week and spoke directly to Bill Haluzak
immediately.
In 2,200 miles of riding this year, I have had zero mechanical problems. I
highly recommend the bike. But I'm prejudiced, I own one. Feel free to
contact me directly (you'll have to REMOVE THIS from my address to reply) if
you'd like to discuss it more.
HTH
<Chas>
Back on his Haluzak Hybrid Race after 4 months of recovery from a back
injury
Douglas Cole
> The handling, balance, manuverability, stability, steering, braking and
> fun factor are first rate. The underseat steering is perfectly
> egronomic, the brakes and bar end shifters are wonderfully placed. The
> unobstructed view and stable ride give you a fighter pilot feeling that
> does not go away after owning one for a couple of years.
>
Thanks for the input Tracy, as I have not ridden a USS 'bent yet, I was
hoping to get some input in this respect, I am not a very heavy 6'2" (lite
165#) so I am not sure that I will worry too much about the frame flexing
unless of course it is that flimsy (others have mentioned this)...
I just like the idea of not having that tiller in front of my face when
riding (the only thing I don't like about my Taiko by the way) so that was
the appeal of the USS 'zack besides the looks (I have seen one in a Portland
shop but didn't get to test ride it, back pains at the time).
> The seat angle is adjustable. You will be able to find the perfect
> angle after a little time getting used to the bike. The seat bottom is
> not comfortable, I supplement it with a pad. The seat is the weakest
> link of the bike, but overall the seat is not that bad.
I really do like my Burley Taiko seat bottom, its nice and cushy for my
boney rear, so if I do go with the 'zack I will probably have to make some
sort of cushion too :^)
I am still trying to find the "sweet spot" for the seat on my Taiko, but I
like the fact that it has alot of adjustment points.
The 'zack I looked at in Portland seemed like a well built bike, but I am
not a very good judge of mechanical engineering, I just liked the way it
looked (I know bad reason to buy something) and besides the folks at
Coventry cycle were soo nice and let me hang around asking questions for
hours...
>
> I recommend knee-savers. They not only helped my knees, they help
> prevent your heel from hitting the wheel. They also make clicking out
> easier.
Could you explain what "knee-savers" are ?
I am not familiar with them and so don't have a clue as to what they might
be. I don't seem to have troubles with my heels hitting my front tire on
my Taiko, but then again it is a longer frame bike and OSS.
>
> Buy the fenders with the bike, unless you enjoy getting tad pole slime
> flung on the back of your neck everytime you have to ride through a
> puddle. (I live in Houston, the water stays on the trail where I ride
> for long periods of time in certain places.)
Oh yes, the first thing I picked up were some fenders for my Taiko, we get
enough rain around here and the trails can get muddy, but I really want to
find a better fitting fender, as the ones I got don't fit my tires snugly
enough to my liking (apex fender).
And I have been through a few of your "rains" down in Houston, man!
All I remember was the parking lot of the Hotel I was staying at turned
into a lake and we couldn't get out for about 3 hours and it was like that
every evening while we were there.
I figured out really quickly why you have all those extra large culverts
and drain sloughs all over the place :^}
Thanks again for any input you can give.
Doug
Douglas Cole
Interesting, I'm still not used to leaning back so far like that, I still
seem to want my Taiko back to be almost 90deg to the seat bottom, (well
maybe more like 110deg) and have not tried it leaning back.
Heck maybe that is what I am missing on my present 'bent, I just don't
have the seat adjusted properly...
But I really like the idea of getting rid of the tiller in front of me ;^)
Though I don't think I will get rid of my Taiko...
anywho thanks for the input.
Doug
bentbiker
better, and more performance orientated. The new uss actionbents are
hard to beat for less than 1/2 the price also.
rorschandt
and currently ride (when its not cold out) a Haluzak Hybrid Race. For
comparison, I rarely bumped my foot while steering the front wheel on the
StreetMachine; happens almost everytime I ride the Haluzak. The ride
quality, handling and stabilty of the SM was remarkable, and so I am quite
disappointed with both of those lacking traits w/ the Haluzak. The SM was
quite portly though, and weighed about 9 pounds more than the Haluzak(with
a rather old Answer suspension fork on the latter). The reason I switched?
My neck. The SM's seat angle is much more reclined, and the Haluzak can be
bolt upright if you wish. If I get my neck back in shape, I would trade the
Haluzak on a Challenge Hurricane USS or another SM-GT.
rorschandt
bentbiker <bent...@REMOVEaccesstoledo.com> wrote in
news:vu43ebj...@corp.supernews.com:
Grant Knupfer
Hi Doug
I am 6'6" and over(well over) 300lbs and ride a Horizion, Now mine is
not your standard Horizion but the people a Haluzak were more than
willing to work with me. The standard frame was just to short for me
but I was able to test ride it so it can handle a pretty good size
person. Mine is not only longer but it is made from larger tubes than
the standard. The bike has been great and I am about 60lbs lighter
than when I got it so it has done some good.
Good luck Grant
Mark Leuck
"rorschandt" <dream...@SPAMNOTcomcast.net> wrote in message
news:Xns9455A69D0DD7Bdr...@216.196.97.132...
> I used to have a HP Velotechnik StreetMachine GT(SM or SM-GT for brevity)
> and currently ride (when its not cold out) a Haluzak Hybrid Race.
I thought you sold the Haluzak? (or had it for sale)
Tracy
a little taller than you are and we really don't notice the height problem anymore. If height is a problem, the
lightning bikes are very Harley like in the seating position and height.
I personally could not stand the Vision handle bar position. To be fair, no attempt to determine if it was adjustable
so that my hands weren't pinned behind my shoulders was attempted as it was a rental tandem.
I have adjusted the seat (hammock) so that it is very loose at the front, and a couple of notches reclined.
Tracy
Douglas Cole wrote:
Thanks for the input Tracy, as I have not ridden a USS 'bent yet, I was hoping to get some input in this respect, I am not a very heavy 6'2" (lite 165#) so I am not sure that I will worry too much about the frame flexing unless of course it is that flimsy (others have mentioned this)... I just like the idea of not having that tiller in front of my face when riding (the only thing I don't like about my Taiko by the way) so that was the appeal of the USS 'zack besides the looks (I have seen one in a Portland shop but didn't get to test ride it, back pains at the time).
foot to wheel problems highly unlikely unless you like to sit close to the pedals.
hours...I recommend knee-savers. They not only helped my knees, they help prevent your heel from hitting the wheel. They also make clicking out easier.Could you explain what "knee-savers" are ? I am not familiar with them and so don't have a clue as to what they might be. I don't seem to have troubles with my heels hitting my front tire on my Taiko, but then again it is a longer frame bike and OSS.
into them and the knee savers then screw into the crank. The effect is to move your feet out farther from
the centerline of the bike. Before I got them, I was having knee pain. They solved the problem completely,
as well as making it easier to click out of my Speedplay frogs and eliminated my heel hitting the wheel in
extreem sharp, slow speed parking lot turns. I believe the knee savers work by preventing twisting at the knee.
On a wedgie your hips are free to rotate easily and keep your knees under your hips (my only theory.) On a
recumbent your hips do not rotate easily and I guess this results in your knees somehow getting extra forces
put on them.
bruce
feels. The seat will mold in and get very comfy. cooler that most other
seats. I am 6' 1'' and 175lbs. The bike rides smooth and stable. I give it
high marks on all counts. Once you dial in the adjustments to fit your needs
you will love this bike. Good luck-- BE
Gary Krause
I own a Haluzak Horizon which I purchased last summer. I'm 5'7" and
weigh 150 lbs. I bought the Horizon at a new recumbent shop. I had
never seen one in real life before, only in pictures. I originally
went to the shop, which is 50 miles from me, to see a Rans V2. I had
a USS recumbent on my list of recumbents that I would some day like to
own. After being somewhat dissapointed with the V2, I decided to try
the Horizon. WOW! This bent is a blast to ride! It also has the
passive suspension in the rear, similar to the Burley bents. The seat
isn't as adjustable as my V-rex but, it really doesn't matter to me.
I did notice some recumbent butt. Adjusting the straps on the base of
the seat which are velcro pretty much took care of that. It's just a
matter of losening or tightening them to your liking. The seat,
believe it or not, is more comfortable than it looks.
I feel just as fast on the Horizon as I am on my V-Rex. It's like
driving a sports car. The components are Shimano LX with 105 cranks.
It's very quiet and smooth. The new bikes are more adjustable in the
seat angle due to a different adjusting mechanism.
Bill Haluzak is also very good to deal with and is willing to go the
extra mile to make sure that his customers are happy. I can see why
there is such a loyal following of Haluzak enthusiasts. They really
stand behind their products.
While at the recumbent shop, a man brought in a 96 model to have it
surviced. It had thousands of miles on it and was still going strong.
He wasn't the original owner but, had the bike overhauled. It looke
like it had been through WWII when he brought it in.
You won't be dissapointed with this bent. For me, it's a keeper along
with my V-Rex. This is the fifth recumbent I have owned in the past
five years and I have ridden quite a few different designs.
Gary Krause
Haluzak Horizon and Rans V-Rex
rorschandt
news:XrqEb.424673$275.1301199@attbi_s53:
It was for sale. I've decided to keep the Aerospoke wheels, and have fitted
it with some more conventional wheels. I'll probably sell it when I line up
or build my next bike. Not quite sure what that will be as the questions
regarding my neck still exist. I may recline the trike seat a bunch and try
it for a while to see if my neck continues to be adversely affected. I've
been doing some therapy that has helped immensely.
Thanks for remembering.
rorschandt
-
Ian Boag
I have a Horizon and a Linear LWB. The Linear has a padded seat which
eventually numbs my bum. No such problems - ever - with the zak. I
like the zak better & will probably sell the Linear. I had to try LWB
....
IB
MaDoG
conversation. I ride a Longbikes Slipstream, which I would NEVER sell. I've
ridden 3 Horizons, for about 80 miles total. The first bent I rode was a
Horizon, and I'd have bought it but the shop I was dealing with told me I
was too heavy, and I was too naive to talk to Bill directly and have him
build one for me. I've been in love with the Horizon from the first time I
sat on one. They're very sporty, quick to accelerate, easy (VERY easy) to
steer and comfortable to ride distance on. The seat is nice (then again, I
like the sling seat - see the Longbikes) I like the bar end shifters, the
handlebar position and the adjustability of the bike is supurb.
I love my Slipstream, it's the most comfortable long distance rider I've
ever been on, but for a swb, the Haluzak would be hard to beat. I have to
say that if I were in the market for a new bike, I'd have to rate the
Haluzak as one of the top 3 bikes I'd love to own. The other two are the
Longbikes Eliminator - note, another swb/uss, and a Tour Easy or maybe a
GRR. I'm happiest with uss, but having put a few miles on a TE I've got to
say that I'm VERY impressed with the ride. Still, all in all, for my second
bike (and likely my first bike for in town riding) I'd take ANY of the
Haluzak bikes in a second.
Still, I must say that my experience with recumbents is very true to what
I've read time after time in this newsgroup - you've got to find the one YOU
are comfortable with. What works for me is your trash. I know that RANS has
a big following here, but to be honest, if you gave me a RANS - ANY RANS -
I'd sell it and buy a GOOD bike instead (yeah, I know, here come the
flames!). But that's my opinon.
As always, YMMV.
Mark
--
Mark Gregory
Longbikes Slipstream
O
\ _____,%)
(*)-'------------(*)
"Douglas Cole" <n7...@qwest.net> wrote in message
news:pan.2003.12.17....@qwest.net...
Douglas Cole
Thanks Mark, I tend you agree with your sentiment about one persons gold
is anothers garbage, it is so true, that is why I was hoping to get enough
postings of people who didn't necessarily like the 'zaks as well as those
that did, because I like to digest everyones input and then make my own
decision based on the test rides.
But the test ride isn't going to tell me if the bike will survive 2 years
of riding without falling apart etc. And like I said in another posting, I
am no mechanical engineer, and am not good at really telling whether or
not a bike is built "correctly", but at first glance I liked what I saw
when I first saw the Horizon, and will be giving Bill a call next spring
to see what I can do and if there are any shops closer that have one I can
test ride...
As this purchase is meant to be a bike for in city short rides (twenty
miles or less) I thought I would give the SWB a try .
Snow is coming down solid, looks like another "in house" day :^(
peace
Douglas Cole
Burley Taiko
Spokane, WA
MaDoG
I think you're on the right track about the advice you're seeking. As I
said, I'm not a Haluzak owner, but I've never met anyone who had problems
with the bike not standing up to use. The only bad thing I've ever heard
with any consistency is if you get the 20 inch front wheel (the Horizon),
it's hard for many people to get their feet on the ground at a stop.
Sorry to hear it's snowing in Spokane. I left Bellevue WA three years ago
because I couldn't stand the rain any longer (after 20 years in the area
plus 6 when I was a kid). After two years of wandering the country I ended
up in Phoenix. Just to rub it in a little, my ride today was in shorts and T
shirt. It was in the mid 70s and sunshine. Thirty four nice miles this
afternoon.
Sorry about the salt in the wound, I just couldn't resist!
Mark
--
Mark Gregory
Longbikes Slipstream
O
\ _____,%)
(*)-'------------(*)
"Douglas Cole" <n7...@qwest.net> wrote in message
news:pan.2003.12.20....@qwest.net...
Dean Arthur
>
> Douglas:
>
...
> After two years of wandering the country I ended
> up in Phoenix. Just to rub it in a little, my ride today was in shorts and T
> shirt. It was in the mid 70s and sunshine. Thirty four nice miles this
> afternoon.
>
> Sorry about the salt in the wound, I just couldn't resist!
>
> Mark
Salt in the wound, huh? Wait until it's 100+ in the shade and you have
to take salt tablets to replace what you sweat out.
Or do you have a portable air conditioner on your 'bent?
I spent a couple of years in Phoenix and Yuma as a kid. Used to get
reamed by my dad for hiking the desert with only two canteens of water.
He'd sweat like crazy just standing under the carport. Didn't
understand that an active kid lost moisture very slowly even walking in
the hot sun.
Now freezing my cojones off in Wyoming where temps sometimes go to -50
in winter and 100 in summer! Still, we have many lovely 'benting days
and I take advantage of every one.
Gary Krause
Gary Krause
Dean Arthur <dear...@silverstar.com> wrote in message news:<3FE60B18...@silverstar.com>...
Dean Arthur
>
> Where is Wyoming are you? I'm in Cheyenne.
Star Valley, athwart Wyoming-Idaho border with US 89 passing through.
Forty-five miles long from South Pass to Alpine Junction. All higher
than 5,800 ASL. Has Freedom Arms, maker of most powerful pistol in the
world and Aviat maker of Piper Cub like Husky. About 47 miles to
Jackson Hole from my little wide spot in road called Etna and about
ninety miles to Idaho Falls.
Beach Runner
and love it.
Right now it's on my porch hooked up to a Cyclops Fluid Trainer and it's
a great
workout, but I ride it a lot. In traffic I usually prefer a
traditional bike though.
Bob
Beach Runner
I will add one caveat, complaint about Turner. I hope he reads this.
Feel free to forward it. He makes a newer model. He says he uses
Shimano components. I asked which one's and he completely ignores
that question. There's a huge range of components, and it's a very
reasonable
question. Especially from an existing Turner rider.
Bob
bentbiker
better to contact him direct by phone. I rode one two summers ago, it's
a good bike. Another bike i'd highly consider is a Vision R40, you can
get them for 8-900 now, and action bent jetstream's for 600.00, is
really nice, i'm riding both now.
Paul Bruneau
> But the test ride isn't going to tell me if the bike will survive 2 years
> of riding without falling apart etc. And like I said in another posting, I
> am no mechanical engineer, and am not good at really telling whether or
> not a bike is built "correctly", but at first glance I liked what I saw
> when I first saw the Horizon, and will be giving Bill a call next spring
> to see what I can do and if there are any shops closer that have one I can
> test ride...
>
> As this purchase is meant to be a bike for in city short rides (twenty
> miles or less) I thought I would give the SWB a try .
I never thought I would find a bike as comfortable as my Ryan
Vanguard, but my Haluzak Hybrid Race is definitely a tie. I rode my
HHR with the local roadie guys this last season and at several HPRA
races (I'm the only tall one amongst all those lowracers) and it was a
dream.
It is built very well. I met a guy from Chicago last fall who has been
riding his Horizon like crazy in all kinds of hellish conditions and
it's holding up just fine. Highly recommended.