The Versatile VRex

I finished the cleaning and tune up of the VRex. It's a 1999 Rans VRex, the second recumbent bike I owned. The VRex is a classic that's known as a do everything bike. It does well on the road, isn't bad on dirt roads and has a lower seat to bottom bracket difference than my Aero.

I am about 3mph slower on the VRex than the Aero, but the VRex is setup with wider tires and rugged rims. The newer VRex's have lighter seat options also. I haven't weighed mine but I'm guessing it is in the low 30 pounds range. It's a little easier to get it started than the Aero and I can wear baggier shorts when riding it without the wind blowing the short's legs up. The shorts still can't be too baggy though. The lower bottom bracket does mean the rider is not as aerodynamic as a rider on a high racer like the Aero.

As I understand the history of the VRex, it was originally designed by Mark Colliton who is now with Bacchetta Bikes. He showed it to Randy and John Schlitter of Rans in 1994 or 1995 at a show. They liked the bike and decided to add it to their lineup.

I've ridden it on the rails to trail path here in Newfields and have also taken it on the Mickelson Trail in South Dakota. It does pretty well, but the smaller front wheel does get a little squirmy when the sand gets deeper. I don't have aggressive treads on it though.

Bacchetta Seat Foam Cover

Bacchetta bikes came out with a seat foam cover this year. I received one and have had a few rides with it on. The first time I sat on it, I was concerned that I would be slipping off while riding. That was not the case though. It makes the seat even more comfortable, the bike look more refined, and is easier on the material of the cycling shorts. And it doesn't feel slippery while riding at all. It has a zippered opening in the bottom, that the foam slides into, then you place the cover onto the seat, matching the velcro strips.

Very nice. They have two versions, one for the Euromesh seat and one for the Carbon Fiber seat. I think they are the same, other than the placement of the velcro strips on the cover to match the seat's velcro.