Alangordon
New Member
Looking to buy a Quest 3. What is more popular - 20" or 26"?
Which quest is best
- Thread starter Alangordon
- Start date
Charles.Plager
Recumbent Quant
I like the gearing on the 451
I like the gearing on the 451 Quest (called 20", but not the same 20" you'll find on most folders which are 406) much better than the 559 (26") Quest. It's the same hardware, but with the 26" wheel, I the low end is geared too high. You can pack the 451 Quest in a suitcase if you want, too.
The only disadvantage of the 451 Quest is that you have fewer tire selections.
I own a 559 Sofrider and a 406 converted folding bike. Even though they are quite different frames, they ride very similarly, so small tires doesn't affect the ride very much at all. (The only time you really want to avoid small tires is off-road riding, but you can't fit those tires on either Quest, so...)
Cheers,
Charles
I like the gearing on the 451 Quest (called 20", but not the same 20" you'll find on most folders which are 406) much better than the 559 (26") Quest. It's the same hardware, but with the 26" wheel, I the low end is geared too high. You can pack the 451 Quest in a suitcase if you want, too.
The only disadvantage of the 451 Quest is that you have fewer tire selections.
I own a 559 Sofrider and a 406 converted folding bike. Even though they are quite different frames, they ride very similarly, so small tires doesn't affect the ride very much at all. (The only time you really want to avoid small tires is off-road riding, but you can't fit those tires on either Quest, so...)
Cheers,
Charles
billyk
Guru
I think 26" wheels ride better
I agree with Charles about the gear ratios, but think, in general, that larger wheels ride better:
* You sit a little higher: in traffic every inch of visibility helps. I'm talking about your ability to see cars and ride defensively. You're at a disadvantage on a recumbent to begin with.
* Larger wheels drop less into potholes; it's a better ride in urban situations.
But I've never seen, much less ridden, the Q451, so my opinion is ... for what it's worth. I rode a BikeE for 15 years (compact long wheelbase recumbent with 20/16" wheels), and little disadvantages kept coming up. For example you? can't put small-wheel bicycles into the racks on buses: the trays conflict with the lower-hanging derailleur. And as Charles mentions, having a "normal" wheel size makes it easy to find tires and tubes, fenders, etc.
BK
I agree with Charles about the gear ratios, but think, in general, that larger wheels ride better:
* You sit a little higher: in traffic every inch of visibility helps. I'm talking about your ability to see cars and ride defensively. You're at a disadvantage on a recumbent to begin with.
* Larger wheels drop less into potholes; it's a better ride in urban situations.
But I've never seen, much less ridden, the Q451, so my opinion is ... for what it's worth. I rode a BikeE for 15 years (compact long wheelbase recumbent with 20/16" wheels), and little disadvantages kept coming up. For example you? can't put small-wheel bicycles into the racks on buses: the trays conflict with the lower-hanging derailleur. And as Charles mentions, having a "normal" wheel size makes it easy to find tires and tubes, fenders, etc.
BK
Trekster
Member
My choice was 26"
I would have to agree with BillyK on all the points he mentioned. Plus, being able to fold it up and put it into a suitcase was NOT a concern of mine.
The bike trails I ride on locally are generally not in the best of repair, and so having the rear suspension and the larger tires makes negotiating the cracks and less than perfect surfaces a lot easier on this old body.
Far as the gear ratios that come with the 26" model, so far I am climbing all of the hills and inclines that I would normally need to climb, and as yet I don't remember actually needing to drop down into my lowest gear. Probably doing the steepest hills in 1 or 2 gears from "granny". And, I'm finding the Quest marches up these hills at least 2 or 3 miles per hour faster than I was doing them on my Catrike Expedition. Many folks, who have never been to Iowa much less ride a bicycle on our country roads, imagine this is pure flatland country. Believe me, it's not.... anyone who has ridden RAGBRAI knows that it is not flat. Yes, there are some areas that are pretty flat for several miles, but there are a lot of areas (carved out by an ancient glacier) that are quite hilly.
Having just come from a very low recumbent trike, I too enjoy the better visibility, not only that I have, but also being seen by other vehicles in traffic.
However, all that being said, I don't have an answer for your original question; as to which one is more popular. Maybe John Tolhurst will jump in here and give us some real numbers as to what has sold the best.
I would have to agree with BillyK on all the points he mentioned. Plus, being able to fold it up and put it into a suitcase was NOT a concern of mine.
The bike trails I ride on locally are generally not in the best of repair, and so having the rear suspension and the larger tires makes negotiating the cracks and less than perfect surfaces a lot easier on this old body.
Far as the gear ratios that come with the 26" model, so far I am climbing all of the hills and inclines that I would normally need to climb, and as yet I don't remember actually needing to drop down into my lowest gear. Probably doing the steepest hills in 1 or 2 gears from "granny". And, I'm finding the Quest marches up these hills at least 2 or 3 miles per hour faster than I was doing them on my Catrike Expedition. Many folks, who have never been to Iowa much less ride a bicycle on our country roads, imagine this is pure flatland country. Believe me, it's not.... anyone who has ridden RAGBRAI knows that it is not flat. Yes, there are some areas that are pretty flat for several miles, but there are a lot of areas (carved out by an ancient glacier) that are quite hilly.
Having just come from a very low recumbent trike, I too enjoy the better visibility, not only that I have, but also being seen by other vehicles in traffic.
However, all that being said, I don't have an answer for your original question; as to which one is more popular. Maybe John Tolhurst will jump in here and give us some real numbers as to what has sold the best.
Romagjack
Well-Known Member
I've been riding my 26" Quest
I've been riding my 26" Quest 2 for a few years. The hills are very small in Savannah, GA. Even so, gearing is no problem when riding over some pretty steep and long bridges. I have never needed to fold the bike for traveling. I think the 26" is cosmetically more pleasing and more efficient. I spend most of my riding time in the higher Dual Drive gear and can hold 17 mph in my workouts. I can only guess that the 20" model might be more slightly maneuverable in tight spaces and easier to pack in a suitcase if you travel a lot.
If I were to purchase another Quest for a family member, it would be the 26". You will love the disc brakes and Dual Drive, whichever model you choose.
I've been riding my 26" Quest 2 for a few years. The hills are very small in Savannah, GA. Even so, gearing is no problem when riding over some pretty steep and long bridges. I have never needed to fold the bike for traveling. I think the 26" is cosmetically more pleasing and more efficient. I spend most of my riding time in the higher Dual Drive gear and can hold 17 mph in my workouts. I can only guess that the 20" model might be more slightly maneuverable in tight spaces and easier to pack in a suitcase if you travel a lot.
If I were to purchase another Quest for a family member, it would be the 26". You will love the disc brakes and Dual Drive, whichever model you choose.
Eric Winn
Zen MBB Master
I've felt comfortable on the
I've felt comfortable on the 26 inch Quest on a 12% to 15% grade that was at the end of a 2 mile climb.
Just started riding this route on the Quest and taking it easy so far. Haven't beaten my DF time but the DF time was at the end of a prior season where I was riding a LOT more so I'm pretty pleased with these initial attempts.
Click the image for full size:
-Eric
I've felt comfortable on the 26 inch Quest on a 12% to 15% grade that was at the end of a 2 mile climb.
Just started riding this route on the Quest and taking it easy so far. Haven't beaten my DF time but the DF time was at the end of a prior season where I was riding a LOT more so I'm pretty pleased with these initial attempts.
Click the image for full size:
-Eric
26 is more popular in my town (dataset size = 1)
I chose the 26" version for two reasons; I wanted to sit higher (for visibility in traffic) and I thought it looked better (but, as they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder).
As I see it, the three downsides of the 26" version (over the 20) are:
?a) the gearing is too high for many people/terrain (you'll find numerous people that have replaced the chainring or cassette in favor of lower gears, none that I've seen were looking for higher gears)
b) no front suspension.
c) not packable in suitcase
In regards to a), the cassette can be pretty easily and inexpensively (<$40) replaced with an 11-34 which gives you a few lower gears at the expense of wider spacing) or you can replace the chainring but you'd lose the elliptical ring (FWIW). I replaced the cassette and am happy with the results. I'm contemplating replacing the chainring as well so I can spin faster when climbing, as I've still come across hills I couldn't climb. As is, I very very rarely use the upper gear in the hub, and when I do I'm going close to 30mph and probably should be coasting and conserving my energy. Although more fit riders might see it differently.
In regards to b), I see no solution. I've never ridden one with suspension but imagine it's a better ride and possibly less prone to pinch flats (pure speculation).
In regards to c), if I want to travel with it I'll either ride it or take amtrak. Both are very comfortable if you've got the time.
Rich
I chose the 26" version for two reasons; I wanted to sit higher (for visibility in traffic) and I thought it looked better (but, as they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder).
As I see it, the three downsides of the 26" version (over the 20) are:
?a) the gearing is too high for many people/terrain (you'll find numerous people that have replaced the chainring or cassette in favor of lower gears, none that I've seen were looking for higher gears)
b) no front suspension.
c) not packable in suitcase
In regards to a), the cassette can be pretty easily and inexpensively (<$40) replaced with an 11-34 which gives you a few lower gears at the expense of wider spacing) or you can replace the chainring but you'd lose the elliptical ring (FWIW). I replaced the cassette and am happy with the results. I'm contemplating replacing the chainring as well so I can spin faster when climbing, as I've still come across hills I couldn't climb. As is, I very very rarely use the upper gear in the hub, and when I do I'm going close to 30mph and probably should be coasting and conserving my energy. Although more fit riders might see it differently.
In regards to b), I see no solution. I've never ridden one with suspension but imagine it's a better ride and possibly less prone to pinch flats (pure speculation).
In regards to c), if I want to travel with it I'll either ride it or take amtrak. Both are very comfortable if you've got the time.
Rich
Alangordon
New Member
Thanks to everyone for their.
Thanks to everyone for their. Sounds like 26" is the way to go.
Thanks to everyone for their. Sounds like 26" is the way to go.
