We have had several questions from people who have checked out our website.

When I saw the first ad for the Seavo, and the design used the Force 5 position for the Captain and a position similar to the Stratus for the stoker, I felt that this was exactly what we needed to be happy with a recumbent tandem.  Neither Lyndsey or I have ever had any knee problems with cycling so I can't comment on that, but I think that recumbent riding requires spinning a little more which also should relieve knee issues.  I have read some ride reports where some riders get a numbness in the toes from the high bottom bracket, but I have never been bothered by that. 

We are very happy with the bike.  It rolls very nicely.  It was delivered with Primo Comet 26X1.5 tires.  I have always considered Primo Comets to be a rather wimpy tire as they don't provide good mileage, particularly on the rear.  I did 1215 miles on the rear tire, which surprised me.  I then put a set of Vredestein 26X1.3 tires on it for better wear and I thought better rolling.  I have gotten better wear, but I really believe that the Primo Comets give an easier and faster ride.  After getting about 1500 miles on the Vred,s, I just put a new set of Primos back on to see if I can really tell the difference.  I think I will be able to notice the difference, and if so, will use them.

It is our plan to complete our cross country ride and definitely will use the Seavo.  Instead of finishing the Trans Am route, we are working on getting to Portland ME, riding about 40 miles NW and intersecting the Northern Tier route, then to Erie PA and intersect the new underground railroad route and tie into the Trans AM route in western Kentucky, then ride home to Tulsa.  Perhaps in 2008.  In case you haven't found them, the routes are shown at www.adventurecycling.com  .

Our bike is equipped with Avid cable disc brakes and they are very good.  I had them on the Barcroft and also on the Zox.  I also added one to the rear of our Litespeed when we had it, so I am a real fan of the mechanical disc brake.  I also had hydraulic disc brakes on the Barcroft when new and was glad to get them off the bike.  The avid arch V brake is a third brake.  It cannot be used as a drag brake, but can certainly be used to control the speed on descents.  I have added a set of Aerospoke wheels.  What I really hope to do for the continuation of our trip is put an Arai drum on the rear, even if I have to get a second wheel, convert the existing avid V brake to the primary rear brake for the trip and have the Arai drum for a drag brake.  I think it can be done.  I would probably be fine with the existing two discs and the V brake and will plot the route we plan to ride and see if I really need to make that adjustment.

For all riding except touring long distances pulling a trailer, I prefer the existing setup.  Hostelshoppe in Wisconsin, www.hostelshoppe.com sells a Seavo outfitted with Aerospoke wheels, Two V brakes and an Arai drum brake for about the same price as the standard Seavo.  My personal feeling is that most of my riding will not be touring and I like the light weight of the disc brake setup for great breaking.  V brakes have been great for tandems and you could accomplish the same thing weight wise by removing the drum when not needed.  When we pedaled across OR, ID, MT and WY, we used the Bike Friday Twin Air ( which is not really a touring bike) with a small SRAM front drum brake.  We burned the pads out on a descent in Montana and had to make several descents with only two rim brakes for a few days till a replacement drum was received.  Not Fun.  For heavy duty touring, the Arai drum is the best and most reliable that I know of and I would prefer to have one if we tour in the Northwest again.

If I had it to do all over again, since I am so fond of disc brakes, I think I would try to get the brakes like I have now, but would see if Rans would make the frame with the hook for the arai drum so I could easily convert to a drum when needed.  I can do it with a clamp on hook, but it is neater when done when building the frame.  Again, I don't know if it can really be done, but I will try.  If I can't do it, I would not hesitate doing the eastern US equipped as it is now.

I am not fond of the 20 inch wheel on a recumbent tandem.  I think you would find the Seavo to roll out on flats and descents comparable to any bike.  Climbing is inherently slower as you cannot stand, pull on the bars or pressing harder on the pedals.  You must spin and use legs only.  I always change out chainrings to get lower gear inches.  The Seavo comes with a 52-39-30 chainring setup and a 11-32 cassette.  I calculate that to be a high of 117 gear inches and a low of 23.  117 is fine but I put a granny 26 tooth chainring and changed the cassette to 11-34, lowering the low end to 19 inches.  This works OK for us.  When we get a year of two older, I guess I will have to go down to a 24 tooth.......

All this stuff that I have rambled on about is purely a personal choice.  The Seavo is by far the most comfortable and best performing recumbent tandem that we have ridden and I don't think you would be disappointed at all with the bike.  If you purchase one, allow several hundred miles to get accustomed to it.  Starting from a stop and slow turns take some work and above all, when stopping, be sure to downshift, even if you are on the flat.  You have to be spinning to get started nicely.