Questions about SoftRider from extremely tall newbie

[Scott Wissing]

Hi all. I recently picked up a SoftRider from a house that we cleared out. I guess you could consider him a hoarder but he had a collection of awesome bicycles that were all really well cared for. I had been looking for a recumbent bike so i thought i would give this one a chance.

I’m about 6’6 so most bikes in general are too short...especially recumbents. I believe the SoftRider is a V1 as it is only an 8 gear.

I had almost given up on making it fit me...I actually listed it here on the marketplace forum. I figured I would ask for some advice before i parted with it.

Here are my main questions...

1. How do I slide the seat back?
2. Is “7” the farthest the front frame will extend?
3. What’s the best angle to have the back of my seat at for a beginner / tall person.
4. The part of the bike that i have circled in the picture is very loose. When I pull up on the bike, it Has about 1/2 of play to it. Only when I’m not sitting on it, though. When I’m on it, there is no play. Is this supposed to be this way? Or is there a way to tighten it properly?

Thanks for the help, guys. Hopefully there is a way to adjust it to fit my needs, otherwise, if someone is in the market for a SoftRider, I have one at a pretty good Price. Thanks a lot.

 

[McWheels]

1. The seat doesn't so much slide as you can move the bolts into different holes underneath. Make sure the bolts holding the seat pan to the seat back aren't too tight. When you do this it will have the effect of making the seat more upright unless you do something with the seat post.
2. Extend it until it separates, then put enough back in so it'll clamp and you feel comfortable it won't just separate on you.
3. More upright for now. Over time you will want to lay further back. Also consider rotating the handlebars so they're more up/down which will extend your arms a bit.
4. Loosen the boom clamp and slide it up. Then see what can be tightened. Then put the boom clamp back.

 

[1happyreader]

2. Is “7” the farthest the front frame will extend?

2. Extend it until it separates, then put enough back in so it'll clamp and you feel comfortable it won't just separate on you.

My Sofrider v2 boom is marked at least to 12. I seem to remember a safety limit mark for its furthest extension.

Lots of seat adjustments / tinkering , just not as simple as a slider.
frame with 2 ? holes.
rubber gasket

saddle with multiple positions on frame.
saddle with multiple holes to mount seat pan.
multiple holes on seat pan. ??? or did I drill those ?