Frequently Asked QuestionsModel Specific How does it perform on hills? Just fine. Because you're sitting down rather than standing up, you want to spin more when you climb (a better way to ride anyway). The BikeE has been designed with good, low gears, so once you master the different riding style, you can handle even the steepest grades. Can I keep up with my friend on rides? Absolutely. You should find that you're much faster than a comparable rider on a mountain bike and that you can keep up with most road bikes. Note that a BikeE with high-performance wheels (like our RoadE model) won the overall trophy for unfaired cycles at the IHPVA championships last year. Will it fit on bike racks? Yes. Fork mounted and rear racks are best. With fork mounted racks, reverse the fork and it will fit perfectly. XL frames may require a tray extender. On rear racks just set the frame on top of the supports and tie it down. The front wheel and seat can be easily removed for transport. What computer will work? The BikeE 10-Fuction Cyclometer is perfect for your BikeE or any other bike. It is equipped with an extra long/heavy-duty cable.If you are using the BikeE Cyclometer on a 16" front wheel be sure to program the cyclometer to 1194. Why do you use these size wheels and will it go fast? The BikeE was designed to give the rider the best handling characteristics possible. Using the 16"/20" wheels makes the bike adjustable for a wide range of riders and gives the best balance of height and length. The small wheels do not slow the bike down at all. Where do you mount water bottles? We offer two bottle mounts on the handlebar stem and two more bottles can be carried on the optional BikeE bag behind the seat. How do I lock the BikeE? You run the lock through the chainring and then around the frame. This will make it very difficult to steal the BikeE. What are the five different models for? We offer five different models to suit the five different riding styles. The CT is great for the recreation-commuter rider; the AT is great for the more serious rider who may choose to do a tour or an organized ride. The RX is a high quality road bike that is very comfortable and excels in speed. The FX is the ultimate off-road bike and the E2 offers the perfect tandem for couples or families who choose to ride together. Why do BikeE's cost more than conventional bikes? The BikeE does not cost more than conventional bicycles. The BikeE bicycles are comparable in quality, build and component specifications as bicycles priced similarly. Any additional costs are associated with the seat, which is fully supportive and plush compared to conventional bicycles. Are they fast? Speed of a bicycle is dependent upon the motor - You. The BikeE has been designed to be as fast as a comparable conventional bicycle. The drivetrain has been designed to compensate for the smaller wheels to allow for the bike to reach comparable speeds as all other bicycles. Is it hard to ride? Riding the BikeE is easy. The only perceived hard part is changing the way you think about riding a bike. The front end is less loaded, as you don't support your upper body weight. We have all been taught to ride and balance on upright bicycles. The BikeE is designed to be ridden sitting down, the same way you drive your car. After your first couple rides, riding a BikeE may feel easier than riding other bicycles. Is it difficult to
balance? No. It is actually easier to balance. The only time it may seem
to be hard to balance is upon your first ride and when you start and stop.
Since most people have never ridden this way, the bike does take a few rides
to transition.
Are they safe? Absolutely! When riding a BikeE, you are
approximately the same height as a rider on conventional bikes. Since
conventional bikes require you to lean over and the BikeE requires you to sit
upright, your vertical height is approximately the same, depending upon rider
size. Another benefit is that you can see where you are going. On a BikeE you
get approximately 180 degree view and on a conventional bike you get a 90
degree view. This benefit allows you to see other riders, drivers and road
hazards. Finally, because the BikeE looks ultra-cool, you will be seen by all.
What makes BikeE better to ride? No Compromises. BikeE weds the best
attributes of upright and recumbent bicycles while avoiding their limitations.
BikeE's pioneering compact wheelbase design is long enough to be very stable
at high speeds, yet short enough to be easily maneuverable at low speeds and
in tight situations.
XL vs. Standard length? The standard length BikeE is designed with a
frame long enough to fit riders from 4'8" to about 6'2" and the XL
is designed to fit riders from 4'8" to about 6'8". The size of the
frame and wheelbase is extended 4" on the XL. The XL is ideal for taller
or heavier riders and is good for riders planning on touring and heavily
loading their bikes. It is very important that you try a BikeE on for size at
your local dealer prior to purchasing.
Which model is best for touring? Each of the BikeEs are good for
long distance riding. If you are considering doing a serious tour, the AT or
RX would be ideal for you. These bikes provide the highest speeds and
long-ride comfort due to their suspension systems.
Why do I need rear suspension? The rear suspension offers a touch of
plushness that makes the BikeE extremely comfortable and stress relieving.
With this suspension you will be able to ride farther. It is also nice for
riding over rougher terrains, bumpy roads and gravel roads.
Why do I need front suspension? The state-of-the-art BikeE front
suspension fork will enhance your ride by giving you more control while riding
over rougher surfaces and takes away much of the road shock you might get when
riding. The front shock is recommended for any rider who wants to ride
off-road.
What is the difference between the seats? BikeE provides three
different seats. The top-of-the-line seat is the five-way adjustable Sweet
Seat. This seat comes as standard equipment on the CT, AT, RX and E2 and
offers lumbar and full back support. The FX uses a super-short back off-road
seat that allows for more control when riding off-road by allowing the rider
to move around more. How do I adjust the handlebar? Adjusting the handlebar is easy. Using a 6mm allen wrench, loosen the bolt on the top of the extension tube. Pull on the handlebar to adjust to your riding style. For on road riding, most people find 1 1/2" clearance between the knee and handlebar about right. For off-road riding, we suggest you lower handlebars even more to provide an aggressive riding position. To make adjusting the handlebar for offering test rides or sharing your BikeE, BikeE offers a locking quick release lever for the handlebar that requires no tools for operation. How do I remove the seat? Removing the seat is easy. First open both quick release levers on the left hand side of your seat. While holding the levers open, loosen the nuts on the right hand side of the seat approximately 4 turns. The seat assembly should now be loose on the frame. Stand behind the seat with one hand on each side of the seat frame and brace the frame between your legs. With force, pull the seat to one side of the frame. The seat will snap off and all of the parts will remain intact. To re-install the seat, put one side of the seat, the delrin sliders, on the frame edge. Brace the cushion on the side engaged on the edge and push down until the seat pops on. How do I get started riding a BikeE? First learn to ride, this makes riding a BikeE easy. Don't start on an uphill; downshift for hills early; take time to get in shape as you will find muscles you have never used before. Hill climbing - Is it hard? Recumbents have a reputation for being poor at climbing hills. BikeE bicycles change that. By using the compact wheelbase and placing the rider in a slightly more upright position, BikeE bicycles improve hill climbing substantially over other recumbents. Recumbents that place the rider in a more reclined position can make the front end of the bicycle "lighter", that is, they move the balance of the bicycle toward the rear. When riding such a bicycle uphill this weight-shift is exaggerated making the front end even lighter. The result is the rider loses leverage and the front end of the bike can come off the road on each pedal stroke. Recumbents that place the pedals as high or higher than the seat put the rider in an awkward position on hills. On steeper hills the rider has the impression of trying to pedal "upside down", losing leverage and stability. The more upright position of the rider on a BikeE bicycle keeps weight on the front wheel and allows the rider to lean forward to push the hips into the seatback increasing power to the pedals. The result is that BikeE is a superior hill climber to virtually every other recumbent available. The best way to climb on a BikeE is to get in shape and build your hill climbing muscles, learn to spin more, pull on the handlebars and lean forward to get more power. How do you transport the BikeE on or in a car? The BikeE is as easy to transport as a conventional bike. If you are using a rooftop rack, you will need a rack that requires you to remove the front wheel and be sure your tray length is 56" or more. If the tray is shorter you can turn your fork around to gain some room. If you are using a rear-mounted rack or hitch-mounted rack, be sure you are using the type that has two arms that extend out. After removing the seat you can rest the BikeE mainframe on the bars, the same way you rest a conventional bike on the rack. Use the tie-down straps or bungee cords included with the rack to hold the bike in place. What is the clipless compatible pedal? This references the type of pedal. All bicycles starting in 2000 received clipless compatible pedals. these pedals allow you to add a clipless insert allowing one side of your pedal s to be used with clipless cycling shoes and the other side remains the same. Clipless cycling shoes and pedals can improve the handling and efficiency of the ride. Adapting your pedals for cycling shoes and clipping in while riding also allows you to generate more torque when climbing hills. My kickstand comes loose, how do I fix it? If you have a BikeE that was assembled in 2000 or before and your BikeE came with a kickstand that continually comes loose, try putting red loctite on the bolt threads and/or install a serrated lock washer between the bolt head and kickstand. Another idea is to install a serrated lock washer between the kickstand and the frame. Finally, if you have a 1999 or older CT model, you can order a kickstand block through your local BikeE dealer to help stabilize the kickstand. If none of the above work, you can purchase a clamp-on kickstand through your local BikeE dealer. Maximum rider size? The BikeE CT is designed to work for riders up to 350lbs under normal riding conditions. The rear suspended models are designed for riders up to 300 lbs, due to the capabilities of the rear shock. The standard length frames are designed to fit riders from 4'8" to about 6'2" and the XL is designed to fit rider from 4'8" to about 6'8". The AT is also available in ShortE and XXL sizes for shorter and taller riders than the standard and XL easily accommodate. Contact BikeE for any additional information required. What are my tire options? All BikeE models use a 16", 305mm front wheel and a 20", 406mm rear wheel. There are many tires available for your BikeE providing different styles and levels of performance. Model Specific |