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| I clipped this review from the website of
"The Bicycle
Man". It is an awesome looking store in New
York state. Unfortunately the store is 3,000 miles
from my house so I haven't had a chance to visit. I
have gone to the website a number of times to read
reviews and gain information. I have also emailed
my questions to the owner and was pleased with his
"customer service" even though he knew I wouldn't be
walking into his store any time soon. Stop by their
web site some time, and while you are there check
out what "SDG" means. |
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Linda & I have ridden several recumbent tandems
including the RANS Screamer, Screamer Sport and Screamer TR; the
Vision R-82; the Longbikes Eliminator and Jetstream; the Linear
tandem; the Sun EZ-Tandem and the BikeE E2. These are the bikes
we are comparing the Screamer with; more info on these other
tandems is on our other recumbent tandem page. I ride mostly
with Linda but also with my daughters. We find it is a great
place to have a one on one conversation, get some exercise and
some fun at the same time. The Screamer models are our favorite
recumbent tandems. We live in pretty hilly country, so climbing
ability and high-speed stability and control are particularly
important to us. In a flatter area this would be less of an
issue. Fast winding down hills are a thrill on this bike.
Remember to plan ahead at high speeds, any tandem will take
longer to stop or avoid an obstacle than on a single bike. The
lateral of the frame gives very predictable handling, a real
asset at high speeds. The two V-type brakes & the rear disk
provide good of stopping power when dry, be more cautious when
it’s wet out. You could upgrade the rear disk brake with a
hydraulic caliper to improve wet weather stopping. Remember, the
hydraulic lines do not come apart easily for disassembling and
packing a Screamer TR frame. We think the Screamers are the
highest performance, best climbing & most stable recumbent
tandems we have ridden. The Sun EZ tandem is comfy and stable
but not as maneuverable, not a good climber and harder to
transport. The Screamers seat comfort is excellent; we consider
it the standard for comfort. The RANS seats are widely regarded
as the best seats in the industry. They allow much recline
adjustment and have probably the best lower back support
available. On the Screamer you are close together, making
conversation a bit easier in traffic. There is a down side to
this. When the front is adjusted for me (6'3" & full recline) a
stoker may hit their toes or shins on the captain's seat. Water
bottles or a seat bag on the front seat would interfere with the
stokers pedaling. Couples with a shorter captain won’t have to
worry about this and may even have room to mount bottles and/or
a seat bag on the back of the captain’s seat.
The Screamer’s OSS steering has an adjustable flip-it stem
allows lots of handlebar adjustment by telescoping and pivoting.
In the rear there are under seat handholds, though Linda often
holds on to the back of my seat for a change (I’m 6’3” so my
seat is pretty far back & she can reach it no problems. In fact,
on the Screamer Sport or standard size Screamer we have to
adjust the front seat carefully to leave her room for her legs,
see below.
The Screamer's OSS, stiff frame and compact wheelbase make it
better for "U" turns and riding in traffic than most tandem
recumbents we have ridden. The BikeE E2 "U" turns easily but at
higher speeds it does not inspire confidence (I’m being polite
here…) On bumpy roads its stiff frame gives a harsher ride than
the BikeE E2 or Vision R-82-85. The Screamer is also available
as the TR (traveling) model that disassembles to pack in box.
The Screamer TR rides just the same as the regular Screamer, but
can be disassembled for shipping; a real advantage for couples
planning on airline travel to and from bike tours. The TR rides
just as well as the regular Screamer. Screamers are assembled in
the USA; Screamer Sports are assembled in Taiwan. They share
identical Taiwanese frames. The Screamer TR uses the same frame,
which is modified here with the S&S couplings. Only the Screamer
is available in XL, an option you may need if you have a tall
captain.
Stokers viewpoint:
Linda, my wife likes the Screamer models best. The seats are
closer together than on most other bent tandems. I'm 6'3" and
she is 5'2" (eyes of blue), which puts our seats quite close
together on the Screamer. She likes being able to rest her hands
on her USS handholds or on the back of my seat (I like the
occasional shoulder rubs!) Being closer together makes it easier
for us to talk in traffic too. The lack of space makes it a bit
tight getting on and off the back though. The Vision R-82 & 85
had more space between seats and a lower step over, making
getting on and off very easy. When we descend hills on a
Screamer she really likes the optional IPS (because I don't like
to coast much.) But then, tandems are all about communication
and compromise. The Screamer is a great bike and all round our
favorite tandem. Some couples whose rides are on less hilly
roads will find the Sun EZ Tandem quite adequate and ~$1500 less
expensive.
As with any recumbent we recommend test riding several before
buying one. We try to keep recumbent tandems in stock form at
least two companies so you can come try them and make a good
decision. |
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