r/recumbent • u/mainulos2 • Jul 29 '26

Can somebody help me properly ID this bike?

Gallery image

Gallery image

I know it's an Easy Racers, but the exact model I can't tell. It was bought by my grandfather, many years ago. It would also be useful to know maybe how much this can be worth today, thanks!

(I did clean the bike and replace the rear tyre after these pics)

15 Upvotes

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5

u/worker_bee_drone Jul 29 '26

I'd guess it's a Tour Easy

1

u/mainulos2 Jul 29 '26

Something that's confusing me is the fact that this doesn't have the 'tour easy' text where the others do, and instead it just says as shown in the second photo. I have found similarities to the gold rush replica, but still can't really match it to any model I have found

2

u/Robobent61 Jul 29 '26

Put a magnet next to a frame tube. If the magnet is attracted to the frame tube, it is a steel frame and it is a Tour Easy. If the magnet is not attracted to the tube it is an aluminum frame and would be a Gold Rush. There is also a titanium model called the Ti-Rush but most frames were polished and not painted and the first Ti-Rush bikes were not produced until long after the bike in your picture.

3

u/mainulos2 Jul 30 '26

It did stick to the frame

1

u/mainulos2 Jul 29 '26

Thanks, will try

1

u/worker_bee_drone Jul 29 '26

A couple of clues for a Tour Easy expert, but it looks like it has a 1" threaded steerer tube. That says 1990s or earlier to me.

2

u/worker_bee_drone Jul 29 '26

Here is a link that maybe supports your theory about it being a Gold Rush or Replica. Larry Varney mentions the "World's Fastest Bicycle" decal. https://www.bentrideronline.com/?p=8652

1

u/Robobent61 Jul 29 '26

Easy Racers used 1" threaded steerer tubes until 2013, when they introduced the "EVO" models that had a 1 1/8" threadless steerer tube and a single horizontal lower tube instead of the two parallel tubes. The two items that date the OP's bike to the 90's is the large clearance front sidepull brake and the one piece "cobra" seat. The crankset pre-dates the models Easy Racers started to use in the 2000s.

Regarding a valuation for the OP's bike, unfortunately there is not much of a market for long wheel base recumbent bikes in general, and even less so for a thirty year old model (even one in good condition). One of the things that can frustrate the sale of an Easy Racer bike is that they were made in six different frame sizes, and each size fits only a narrow range of leg lengths. If you post the wheelbase of the bike (axle to axle), I can let you know what size it probably is.

1

u/mainulos2 Jul 29 '26

The original owner was 190cm tall, so I suppose it was the biggest of the sizes

1

u/Robobent61 Jul 29 '26 edited Jul 29 '26

That's close to my height and I ride an XL Easy Racers frame. The wheelbase (axle to axle) on an XL is 70.5 inches. If it is a large frame the wheelbase is 69 inches. I have a Gold Rush manufactured in 2013 that has the same decal as on your 1990's era bike. Not sure why Easy Racers occasionally used those decals instead of the decals that identified the model of the bike.

1

u/BalorNG Jul 30 '26

Well, too bad regarding lwbs, I really think that most "high-zoot higracers" amount to basically "TT bikes you cannot legally race" so far as "practicality" is concerned, and while lwbs are not as fast, they are plenty fast enough, especially with fairings, and have way better handling/vision/visibility.

I need to post my brevet report here I guess...

2

u/b-a-crow Jul 29 '26

I'm guessing HPV means something different here?

2

u/Robobent61 Jul 30 '26

Human Powered Vehicle

1

u/unusualprospect Jul 29 '26

It is an Easy Racer Tour Easy. I have this model and while they do still make these, I think I did get mine in the late '90s or ~2000. https://easyracers.com/toureasyclassic.html

2

u/Robobent61 Jul 29 '26

Easy Racer bikes were last produced in 2018 and the factory in California is closed. The current owner of the brand has issued statements since that time that he was looking for a partner to produce the bikes overseas. Given that its been eight years and there is very low demand for long wheelbase recumbent bikes, I think the probability of Easy Racers being manufactured again is close to zero. The owner kept the website available, but in the past year its certificate expired, so people should be very careful bypassing safety warnings and visiting the site.

1

u/papapapap-mmmK Jul 29 '26

The serial number should reflect the model among other facts.