Longbikes Slipstream

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Longbikes factory

Favorite Ride:
Longbikes Slipstream

Summary:
LOVE this Bike. It's really easy to go fast and stay in control, and aven easier to go slow and still be in control. The best thing (I think) is that even if you manage to crash (I find it hard to) the bike does a very good jobe of covering your sides, and although the seat might get a few scrapes the powder coating can handle the scrapes.

Strengths:
Very Stable
Very Safe
climbs hills very well
*Bullet Proof*
Kick stand rotation problem has been fixed.

Weaknesses:
None really just a great all around bike.

Similar Products Used:
Longbikes Eliminator

Price Paid:  $2600.00 at Manufacturer

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
Longbikes Slipstream Recumbent

Bike Setup:
I have made a few change to my Slipstream, not because I needed to but because I like to personalize my bikes. It has these components in place now:

King ISO disc hubs and headset

Velocity Aeroheat rims and DT spokes

Funbolts on rear hub with stainless driveshell

Salsa QR on front

2" Big Apples

XT front and rear derrailleur

Avid BB 7 and BB 7 levers

Dura-Ace barcons

Shimano 7410 clipless pedals

Ultegra triple crank

Custom powder coated Tubus rack to match the frame

Xenon rear flasher with remote toggle switch

Arkel GT 54's and Tailrider

70 oz Camelback unbottle with custom mount

Black fenders

I have never enjoyed riding as much as I do now and I'm confident that with the research I did I made the right decision. I have many tours in my future. I will retire next year and I plan to wear myself out doing fun things not working. Watch for me along the road!

Summary:
This bike is built to take it. When Greg Peek says he doesn't like wimpy components you can believe it. One look at the details of this bike and you will see the short comings with other brands. The Slipstream is more expensive but this bike proves once again that you get what you pay for. Take a look at the seat rail clamp, the steering connector at the head tube or the seat strut supports to name just three items. You will not find another manufacturer that produces this quality no matter what the price. The reviews say that this bike is not a lightweight but there are no climbs I have had to walk up yet. The ride quality is outstanding. I have always been a steel fan because of the smoothness it delivers. Take a ride on a Slipstream and any aluminum framed competitor and you will feel the difference. The chrome moly is smooth and compliant while the aluminum is harsh and jittery on rough pavement. This is not to say that aluminum is not more responsive and quicker accellerating just to say that in the long term I will take comfort and control over minor speed improvements. The bottom line is that if I want speed I will ride my 1984 Trek 970 racing frame with Campy components and walk away from any recumbent. Recumbents are for seeing the world from a different perspective. I now measure my fun in smiles per hour not miles per hour. If Greg ever comes out with a titanium frame I might be tempted. This material incorporates the smoothness of steel with the responsiveness of aluminum with the trade off of increased price. I rode as many models of recumbents as I could find here in Portland, Oregon. We have only one dealer stocking these bikes. From these experiences I felt there had to be other alternatives. I ended up on the web and found the Longbikes website. The tone on this website is that they supply superior products and I can't argue with Greg. If you want a bike that has great handling, better components than the competition and will make you want to spend more time in the saddle then this is the one for you

Strengths:
This bike is bullet proof. If you look at all of the details on this bike you will not find another make that can match it. You may find some that weigh less but they will not be stronger or built for the long term. The replaceable dropouts are just one example. You can get drop outs for either 26" or 700C. The difference is that they are different so that the ride height and geometry are not altered by the wheel change. You can also get a special dropout for the Rohloff hub. Who else does this? The seat back supports are another superior item. ther are no cheap metal bands holding the seat support to the frame. Do you want to risk your seat back collapsing at speed? I don't. The engineering and attention to detail on this bike are special. The Vanguard was taken as a starting point and raised to a new level. The last item I'll mention is the under seat steering. This is fabulous. The whole world opens up to you and the bike manuvers as if on rails with just slight weight shifts or steering inputs. With OSS you are in a Preying Mantis position and on long rides this becomes uncomfortable. USS is far superior ergonomically.

Weaknesses:
Honestly I can only come up with one weakness and that is the tendency for the kickstand to rotate if you forget to maintain the tightness of the capscrew. If you check your bikes fasteners for proper torque like you should you won't have this problem.

Similar Products Used:
Easy Racers Tour Easy and Gold Rush

Sun models

Burley and Bachetta SWB

Price Paid:  $2600.00 at Atlantic Bikes

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
Weston loop

Bike Setup:
Stock, with a seat bag.

Summary:
This is the most fun ride I have ever had in my life. I have been on most every type of bike and I will keep this ride forever.

Strengths:
Smooth predictable steering, the long wheel base makes it ride like a Cadilac. Good component mix. I can get up to and maintain higher speeds. You can ride it all day and still be able to go all night.

Weaknesses:
I had to get a new car rack. The bike is perfect.

Similar Products Used:
Bacchetta Strata, Vision R42