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Longbikes Jetstream, Eliminator & Gulfstream Tandem Recumbents

The 2005
Longbikes Jetstream foldable tandem
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Here for Recumbent Tandem Specials
Longbikes
Jetstream
The 2005 Longbikes Jetstream tandem pictured above unfortunately had a
frame that was not ready for prime time. It was too flexible giving it
white knuckled handling characteristics. Their revised frame arrived but
had frame geometry issues that affected the front derailleur. We are
looking forward to a new bug-free version, likely available in 2008.
The Eliminator, a new model in 2000 was very well built, like all
Longbikes recumbents, with high extremely high quality fittings &
hardware. The frame and manufacturing detail is over done, which is
great. Its ride is a lot like a RANS Screamer recumbent tandem but is
available primarily with Under Seat Steering (USS.) Longbikes has a
hi-tech background and deserves its excellent reputation for quality.
The Jetstream uses the Longbikes full mesh seats, similar to the Haluzak
seat but stronger, more comfortable, adjustable and foldable. The
seat-back angle and seat-base angle are independently adjustable; you
have a wide selection of positions to try to set this seat up for your
favorite position. The seats also fold for shipping.
The Jetstream is lighter, simpler, foldable for travel, more adjustable
and at under $4500 hundreds of dollars less expensive than the original
Eliminator tandem.
The Jetstream tandem is the latest design in the Longbikes family of
recumbents. Based on the Eliminator single, the Jetstream incorporates
some of the design innovations found on the Eliminator. It is the only USS
recumbent tandem in production with a frame that disassembles shipping.
Like the old Vision R-82 and R-84 it’s length can be adjusted at the rear
joint to accommodate different size stokers. Though there is lots of room
on the back of this bike we don’t feel it is stable with a tall or heavy
stoker. The stoker compartment can be adjusted at least 14 inches by
moving the seat forward on the frame and adjusting the frame length. The
Jetstream frame sizes, adjusts form 80" wheelbase to 88" wheelbase to
accommodate virtually any size stoker. Up front the captains seat slides
and the boom telescopes providing lots of adjustment.
For those of you waiting on this one, don't wait long or the first batch
of frames will be gone!
Features and Options:
Chain management:
A conventional
Race Face tandem crank with the timing chains on the left hand side and
one dual idler sprocket, now standard micro-drive 22 tooth chain rings on
the idler sprocket route the chain around the handle bars. This simplifies
the bike from the original Eliminator tandem.
Drive Train Components:
The idler hub is
now the only Longbikes component in the drive train. This removes the
concerns of replacement components years later, and reduced cost and
price. It also means the IPS crank set designed by Vision. The IPS cranks
can now be added if you want.
Comfort:
The "Hip Hinge"
seat provides for independent adjustment of seat tilt and back recline.
THE angle between the seat bottom and seat back adjusts from 95-115
degrees in 5 degree increments. Seat back angle adjusts with pins & holes
in the dual struts.
Jetstream Specifications:
Frame: 4130 triangulated Frame, Adjustable Length Boom.
Removable aluminum rear drop-outs.
Wheel Base: adjustable form ~80" to ~86"
X-Seam Range: A very wide range of captains and stokers fit; we do not
recommend it for large stokers.
Seat Height: 25"
Bottom Bracket Height: Captain: 27", Stoker: 12 1/2"
Fork: 1" Threaded, Chromoly
Head Set: 1" Alloy, threaded
Seats: Two piece Hip-Hinged, Aluminum tube frame, full mesh.
Steering: Indirect Underseat
Handle Bar: 7/8" 6061-T6 Aluminum Tube
Front bar Ends: new 2 axis adjustable for hand/arm position adjustment
Front Wheel: Alex DA 16, 20 * 1.5
Rear Wheel: Alex DA 16, 26" *1.5
Front Hub : Quando 32 hole
Rear Hub: Quando tandem 40 hole
Front Brake: Avid Mechanical Disc
Rear Brake: Avid Mechanical Disc
Brake Levers: Avid Speed Dial 7
Shifters: Shimano Dura-Ace Bar Con 27 speed
Front Derailleur : Shimano XT
Rear Derailleur : Shimano XT
Crank Set: Race Face tandem Triple, 33/44/54
Pedals: cheap platform
Chain Idler: Longbikes dual hub with 2 - 22 tooth Micro-Drive 4 bold chain
rings
Chain: Shimano 9 speed compatible
Cassette: Shimano LX 9 speed 11-32
Tires: Kenda Kwest Recumbent 100 psi 1.5” 20"front Rear 1.5” 26"
Paint: deep red with clear coat & top mount decals
MSRP: $4,495
Longbikes
Eliminator

Longbikes
Eliminator Tandem Recumbent
This is our review
of the Eliminator tandem:
Riding the Eliminator we found:
Overall it is a very enjoyable ride, the seats aren’t as nice as the RANS
seats but are pretty comfortable. Because they have an unpadded mesh base
lighter riders may like them less and heavier riders should like them
more. We are skinny and felt the comfort of the mesh seats is not up to
the very high level of the rest of the bike.
Longbikes overbuilds their bikes. Their machining detail is excellent. An
example of this is the seat struts. They are machined out of solid
aluminum rods. This makes them a bit heavier that other struts, and I'd
never seen a seat strut break till RANS came out with the cut away ends in
2003. The front USS handlebars are extremely adjustable, even the bar ends
can even adjust in and out to your preference. These bar ends were
improved in 2004 and once tightened will not move. The captain's hand
position is excellent, better than on the old Vision USS recumbent
tandems. The Eliminator uses 4 chains, an over complicated design, which
works very well. Three of the four have tension adjustments, most tandems
only have 2 chains and only one needs to have the tension adjusted. This
setup shifts great, weighs a bit more and requires infrequent but careful
adjustment.
The finish on Longbikes is excellent. Smooth welds, unique, replaceable,
bombproof dropouts, flawless glossy paint, and finely detailed and
finished machined parts combine to give an overall appearance that is
beautiful. I have seen a lot of recumbents, few are finished this well.
As the tandem captain in our family I always preferred the Eliminator
handling to the Vision tandem “double visions”. Now that Vision is out of
business Longbikes stands alone as the USS recumbent tandem of choice.

The Longbikes
Gulfstream
We also carry these recumbent brands:
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