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Satisfied Customer
First a word on my experience with recumbents. I started riding them over 6 years ago, because of an aching low back. My first bike was a Tour Easy. I then sold that bike and rode a Lightning P-38. Thus, the Rotator is my third bike and second short wheel-base bike. I have done cross country rides on all of the bikes, and was looking forward to another crossing. When I decided to look at the Tiger, I was fortunate enough to live close enough to drive up to Santa Rosa for a test drive. I am a 5'4" woman with short legs, and I was looking for a bike that would allow me to have my feet flat on the ground when stopped at stop signs, etc. In addition, I was looking for a bike that was lighter than the P-38. Finally, I wanted one that would travel easily when I had to box it on a plane trip, etc. I was able to test ride Steve's wife's Tiger, a steel model. I liked what I felt, although the bike was too large for me. After some nervous dithering, I ordered a bike for me.
I could feel the light weight of the bike right away. It comes in at just translates into a quicker start. I also feel it on hills, of course. The main difference on hills, however, is the compound gearing. I have a single chain ring, with two rear clusters, two chains, and 54 gears. I haven't a clue as to whether I am using them in the correct order, but I do know that on rollers I am able to keep my momentum up nicely with the incremental shifting available with that many gears. This translates to a much higher daily average speed. I estimate my trip average speed was 3 to 4 miles per hour higher this trip. This was, BTW, my seventh crossing of the USA. Problems? The bike had few problems; all were quickly fixed by the mechanic along on the trip and were related to the rough roads we were on. The head set had to be tightened twice, as did the bottom bracket and cranks. The custom rear fender Steve designed had its side molding start to come off. Crazy Glue took care of that. I had one flat the entire trip, and the Primo tires lasted the entire ride. I mounted a Zipp fairing on the front. I took my old P-38 fairing back to Karl Abbe at Zipp and we reworked the fairing to fit the new bike. I am quite fond of it on longer tours, although I don't use it while on local day rides. I like this bike! I'm not sorry I spent the money on it. The workmanship is the best of my three bikes, it is light and responsive (as is the builder to my concerns). I look forward to many future trips, most while pulling the BOB. If you have other questions, please ask. Jill McIntire |
On
April 12 of this year, I set out with a group of about 30 other riders
(no others on a recumbent) on a six week crossing of the USA. We took
the southern route: San Diego to Brunswick, Georgia. This was my rather
long first trial of my new bike: a titanium Rotator Tiger. This is a short
wheelbase bike built by Steve Delaire of Rotator Bicycles in Santa Rosa,
California. 
A
couple of months later, I went back to take possession of my Tiger and
a few weeks later we set out on the ride. My riding position on the Tiger
feels just like the position on the P-38. This feeling is enhanced by
the mesh seat which Steve altered for me. . When I told Steve that I was
not happy with the feeling of a plain mesh seat, he sent me a new seat
with an insert for my Thermarest. I am a few inches closer to the ground,
due to the use of a 20" rear wheel. The normal Tiger also has a 20" front
wheel, but due to my short height, my bike had to come with a 16" front.
This is the same size front wheel as the P=38, and I have never had a
problem with them. A main difference in the seat is the use of shock cord
across the bottom of the seat. This provides a wonderful and cheap suspension
system. I have added zip ties to the very front of my seat, but feel this
is a personal comfort thing, much like my use of the Thermarest.