INTO THE RIDE #24

What’s New at RANS for 2005

By Randy Schlitter

What you can expect from RANS in 2005 is another year of quality recumbent bikes, plus our new line of comfort bikes “bent” on performance. I hope you can appreciate the thoughtful changes that in all respects should make our line of bikes just a little better. There will be plenty of stock, strong 04’ sales always encourages that. Much of the 2005 line is in stock and shipping, exceptions are the new comfort bikes. We are busy making them and lots of F5’s now. Thanks for a great 2004, have a great holiday season, and ride safe and stay into the ride.

1.     Four New Comfort Bikes
2.     Aluminum Fork for V2 Formula and Lower Price
3.     Red Rocket is back, with Top Loading Bars
4.     Improved Seat Standard, Seat Comfort
5.     Lighter Rad-locs with Better Gripping Power
6.     New Handlebar Choices for F5’s
7.     New Sprint Braces for the Tandems
8.     More Color Choices for Screamers
9.     Non-QR Flip-it on Most Models
10.   New Handlebar Options for Force 5

Four New Comfort Bikes

For ’05 we offer four exciting options in comfort bikes that have great performance, adjustability, and range of application. The special frame design allows the use of a special seat, and some interesting power extraction using the handlebars to dig in and climb, or accelerate from a stop. Truly jump on and ride bikes, there is no learning curve. Seats adjust with the flip of a QR and feature an index keyway to hold alignment. As the seat moves up, it also moves back, meaning one size pretty much fits all. Learn more by reading articles about the Fusion and its stable mates.

Fusion

For 2005 the Fusion has seen major re-vamp, sporting a new frame and dual 26” wheels. It is more aggressive looking with its straight tubes. The new Fusion is a faster and more efficient bike, and is well suited for commuting, short haul and touring. The new Fusion has tested well for touring applications and we will be introducing racks for touring needs. Comes in a dazzling yellow that explodes with amber sparkles in sunlight.

Cruz

Sporting curvy tubes and a bright rush red powder coat, this new addition has the classic lines of a cruiser, but a very efficient ride. Outfitted with 1.95 tires for a cushy ride, the Cruz just asks to be ridden and will attract the cyclist who wants a cool look yet a decent performing machine.

Dynamik

This bike is a real blast to take on paved or mild dirt trails. It is a very stable bike and easy to control on loose surfaces. The longer wheelbase and lower center of gravity attribute to this fine handling. The cushy seat is surprisingly good at absorbing shock. To climb really steep hills it is no problem, since the frame and bar set up allow standing on the pedals. The Dynamik will appeal to those seeking a mountain bike as a comfort bike and never intend to do Moab, or at least not full force Moab, like maybe mini-Moab. Features disc brakes and hand welded TIG frame of top grade aircraft 4130, finished in a coral blue with aqua metallic sparkle.

Zenetik

Zenetik (rhythms with kinetic) is how RANS builds a road bike. It has the fun trimmings of light, neat components but that ergonomic twist to allow extensive riding. The bike was created to prove you could have lots of zoom factor with such a comfortable bike. Test rides have yielded respectable numbers hitting the high teens and low 20’s for cruise. Hill climbing is one place you will love the Zenetik, being only 23.25 pounds it flies up the hills. The Zenetik features a QR seat adjust in both seat location and tilt, except the seat itself is a trimmed down, carbon fiber version.

Aluminum Fork for V2 Formula

The V2 Formula is sporting a new aluminum fork, with disc brake mounts, (the frame has always had rear disc mounts). Components are the venerable X9 and 9.0 SRAM. Read about the Formula at www.bentrideronline.com for an objective look into this fine bike. Aluminum forks are an available aftermarket item for the V-Rex, Rocket, Tailwind, Stratus, and V2.

“Aluminum forks are now available for V-Rex and Rockets, and in stock. Near spring look to spruce up your LWB or compact with an aluminum fork option.

Red Rocket is Back, with Top Loading Bars

By popular demand the red rocket is back, however silver Rockets in 2005 form are in stock if you cannot wait until March. The Rocket also now features the top load style bar, new flip-it design, and more comfort in the seat. A classic just gets better; Rockets for 05’ also feature a lighter, better gripping Rad-loc.

Improved Seat Standard, Seat Comfort

A slight change to the frame has improved seat comfort. Some riders had called our attention to tail-bone numbness, so we beta tested a solution and now have applied it across the board. All stock mesh back seats, Zephyr not included, feature the new tweak.

Lighter Rad-Locs with Better Gripping Power

We started trickling in the injection molded Rad-locs mid last year, and now have switched over to this design on both sizes. The new Rad-locs are lighter and grip better.

 

 New Sprint Braces for the Tandems

A lighter set of sprint braces replace the single QR friction unit. This design also increases seat torsion stability. An added outcome is the captain seat frame and mesh are now the same as the seat used on all of our singles.

More Color Choices for Screamers

Sports for a limited time will come in three colors: Blue, Black, and Yellow. Blue Sports are now in stock, with Black and Yellow units arriving this spring. Sports also feature the new Rad-Loc, improved seat comfort, and sprint braces.

Non-QR Flip-it on most Models

We added wear washers at the hinge and dropped the QR for a cleaner, smoother operating Flip-it, now standard on all applicable models except the Screamer Sport.

 New Handlebar Option for the Force 5, Screamer, V-Rex, and Rocket

If you like the Arms Position Forward A.P.E. (see informative articles) then check out the new B-39 handlebar. The B-39 features increased knee space and more aft extension by 3”. The B-39 is currently offered aftermarket only, you can find it on SHOPRANS.