Lightning p38
bikemed74
so I added that I would at least like to look at one before buying a
new one on line. Is anyone in west. pa. or east. oh. rideing a p38
and would let me take a look at it? Maybe even pass on some thoughts
on the bike. In '88 I built an EZ tour and a few years ago, I had a
Catrike Road. I think the p38 may fill the nook in my biking.
Thanks, Joe
Dan Blumenfeld
I've got a P-38, and I'd be happy to let you take a look at it (or, if we're not too dissimilar in size, a test ride.)
Thoughts: I've been on mine for 3 years now. Although I may invest in a different bike for a dedicated go-fast, I expect the P-38 will remain my all-rounder for many years to come. It works well for every purpose I've thrown it at. I use it for commuting, distance riding, club rides, and even to tackle Dirty Dozen hills.
RE: buying one online. It's worth the drive to State College to check out the selection at RBR: Rob carries P-38s, but also has a good selection of other toys that may pique your interest. Plus, I've always been happy with his post-sales service.
--Dan
Brighton Heights, Pittsburgh, PA
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Dave Jenkins
You're welcome to try my P-38. I purchased the frame about 7 years ago
and built it up myself (including the wheels, I'm proud to say). It's
very comfortable, fun to ride, stable (although it did take so
practice at first), and reasonably good on hills, especially for a
recumbent. (The frame design makes it very stiff, so more of your
pedaling energy goes into propulsion.) It shines especially on multi-
day tours on flat-to-rolling terrain--no problem keeping up with
standard bikes, and no sore neck or back at the end of the day.
Let me know when you'd like to try it.
Dan Sullivan
-ds
> > pittsburgh-recum...@googlegroups.com<pittsburgh-recumbents%2Bunsu...@googlegroups.com>
zarky rudavsky
Zarky
Dan Sullivan
> I guess p38's are hot now. I have a deposit on one that I found on line.
> It'll be a few weeks before I can pick it up. I find that the laid back
> position of my barcroft is starting to bother me. I have a Rotator with a
> lightning seat which is more comfortable. Hence I'm trying the p38. If it
> doesn't work out, there might be another one for sale in pittsburgh.
The guy at RBR (Rob?) said he mostly stocks what sells, but that he
carries a few bikes "like the P-38" that draw people to his store, even if
they are not big sellers. I took that to mean that the P-38 has a "niche"
market of people who won't settle for less, but that it's a small niche
compared to some other bikes and trikes. Personally, I mostly ride to
get where I'm going, so I ride cheaper bikes, but not the cheapest.
He mentioned "two other Dans," in Pittsburgh, Blumenthal and
Karaczun. Anyhow, I would buy a P-38 by mail order if it's a *lot*
cheaper. Otherwise, I would get one at RBR. It's 140 miles from
downtown Pittsburgh to RBR.
Peter Stull, "The Bicycle Man," in Alfred Station, NY, is probably the
next closest recumbent dealer. He took production ownership of the
Linear, a fairly inexpensive aluminum bike that I ride, and made some
important improvements to it. Stull has a much larger (but not
necessarily much better) selection of bikes and trikes. However, it's
about 270 miles to his place.
He's actually only about 100 air miles due north of RBR, but it takes
almost 160 miles of driving through the mountains to get from one shop
to the other.
Both dealers seem to have set up where they happened to live, and
both justify their locations as being accessible to large cities. The RBR
guy talked about being within reach of New York, Philadelphia, DC,
Baltimore and Cleveland as well as Pittsburgh, but there is now a
recumbent dealer *in* New York, and one just south of Cleveland, in
Barberton, OH. They're actually 20 miles closer than RBR, although
RBR has such a great reputation that I would go the extra miles for
them. Still, they have Cleveland and northeastern Ohio all to
themselves.
Anyhow, once recumbents catch on, as I believe they will, I expect to
see a store in each major market. I fear that this will leave RBR and the
Bicycle Man high and dry.
-ds
bikemed74
weekend, I have 3 days off. Thanks again. Joe
Zarky
weekend. I got to ride this morning with an upright friend.
Normally, I give him a workout on the straightaways and downhills, and
I'm pushing on the uphills. Today he had a hard time keeping up going
uphill. It looks like it really does climb well. The handling is
also really tight, like a sports car--I like it. It is a bit of a
rough ride though. It might get tiresome on a long ride. For that I
have my Rotator, which is like a smooth limo, but also fast.
If you are still looking for a P38, contact Jerry Kraynick. He was
talking about putting together an order from Lightning--he might be
able to save you some money on a new one. If you're looking for used
ones, don't look on Craigslist. Try the bulletin board at
Hostelshoppe, or the HPV list. I like the bike, but the riding
position isn't for everyone. It works for me, however.
Zarky
bikemed74
Hi everyone,
Well I didn't buy a P-38, but I did buy a Rans V-Rex. I've only been
on a couple of short rides and am still dialing the fit in for me, but
I'm real happy with it. Hopefully before winter, I'll be able to make
it to one of the weekly rides in Pitts. Thanks for all the input and
info to help me.
Later Joe
Daniel Karaczun
The weekly rides in the 'burgh are defunct! It became so spotty that everyone just gave up. However, if you feel you'd like to meet everyone, just post here that you'll be riding on a given Monday or Wednesday and we'll try to make it.
I'm in the middle of a move from Dormont to Bethel Park and have 44 years of collected precious stuff (junk) to go through so I'm remiss with the recumbent group as well as just getting out there to ride. I haven't ridden in over a week and miss it. I'll have to catch up later next week.
Whew!
Dan K