Dating a Linear Recumbent
Whether you currently own a Linear Recumbent bike or are considering buying one you might want to know when and where it was made.
Here are a few easy ways to narrow it down.
One of the easiest ways to date a Linear is by the type of rear brake it has.
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Rear side pull brake
These LWB & SWB Linear Recumbent bikes were built in Iowa before 2002.
They may have problems, see Iowa Linear safety information HERE. (link to Iowa safety page)
This is the type of Linear Recumbent you are most likely to find for sale on eBay or Craig’s List.
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Between ~1999 and 2002 Linear bikes came with rear side pull and front V-brakes.
Safety info: the braking is poor because the plastic SRAM brake levers match the front brake, not the rear.
This puts the powerful brake in front where there is little weight or traction and a very weak brake in the rear where most of your weight and traction is.
The rear braking can be improved inexpensively by replacing the rear brake lever with a cantilever compatible lever.
Do not replace the front brake lever.
Call us or email for more info.
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Rear V-brake
These bikes were built in NY between 2003 and 2006.
They have front and rear V-brake that work great when dry and OK when wet.
99% of their frames are not foldable. They have a NY designed brake mount that adds strength to the rear frame.
The issues on our Iowa safety page do not apply to these bikes.
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Rear disk brake
These LWB Linear Recumbent bikes were built in NY by Bicycle Man LLC starting in 2005.
Their rear disk brake works great wet or dry.
Their frame is computer designed and fatigue tested for strength.
The issues on our Iowa safety page do not apply to these bikes.
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SWB with rear disk brake
2011 till today
These SWB Linear Recumbent bikes have disk brakes front and rear that works great wet or dry.
Their frame is computer designed and fatigue tested for strength.
The issues on our Iowa safety page do not apply to these bikes.
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Dating a Linear Recumbent by ball stud type
You can also date a Linear recumbent bike by its steering linkage ball studs.
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Ball stud #1
Description: silver, non magnetic stainless steel, has a set screw in socket
These Linear recumbent bikes were built in Iowa before 1993
They may have problems, see Iowa Linear safety information page HERE. (link to Iowa safety page)
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ball Stud #2, 1993 to 1999
Description: gold color magnetic steel, some have a set screw in socket
They may have problems, see Iowa Linear safety information page HERE. (link to Iowa safety page)
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Ball stud #3
Description: gold color, larger oval ball head, magnetic steel, no set screw in socket
These Linear Recumbent bikes we made in either Iowa or NY since 1999
If it has a rear side pull brake it may have problems, see Iowa Linear safety information page HERE. (link to Iowa safety page)