The current model, which I bought, did not change from the 2003 model in the Epinions database.

I started looking at recumbent bicycles (which have the rider in a lower, reclined back position) based on a suggestion by my physician. I've been struggling with upper back problems dating back to late last year. I also like to bicycle a lot, riding a 1998 Specialized Cross-Roads on local roads and bike trails.

Regular bicycles can create back strain, depending on the angle of the rider, and do create strain on arms, shoulders and groin. While I enjoy my standard bike, I really feel the strain when I ride two days in a row and also on the day after a ride of 25 miles or more.

Back to recumbent. I had to determine the size I wanted between
Short (length of 34-35 inches, pedals in front of the wheels)
Compact Long (length of 50-64 inches)
Long (length of 64-72 inches)

I chose to start evaluating compact long bicycles, based on them being easier to learn to rise than the short models, because of stability, a little easier to maneuver than the long, and the ability to fit it in my minivan. So, I identified the vendors in my price range (under $1,000) and test drove them.

I test drove the Cycle Genius CGX (a lower end model with a similar frame design), The Sun EZ-1, Rans Tailwind and Burley Jett Creek (with a similar seat and frame to the Burley Koosah, which I was considering).

The Cycle Genius ALX 20 squared was better in nearly all of the comparisons.

Fit All the bikes were supposed to fit a rider of 6 ft 2 inches. I am 5ft 11 1/2 inches. I must have long legs, because the Rans and Sun bikes weren't comfortable, even with the seat back as far as it would go. The Burley was barely comfortable with the seat back all the way. The Cycle Genius model was comfortable without being close to how far back the seat could go.

Load Rating I weighed 280 (now 270). The Sun and Burley models were rated to 275, the Rans to 280. All the dealers I talked to said they would stand behind the bikes. However, the ALX 20 squared was rated to 300. I tend to be hard on my sports equipment, so that higher rating was a comfort.

Components I have a components list at the end. The ALX 20 squared was the only recumbent of the group that had disc brakes, which are higher-end components. The shifters and derailleurs were generally better than the competition.

Seats The seat on the lower-end Cycle Genius model was the most comfortable of the bunch. The one on the ALX 20 squared is a suspension seat with springs, with a pad standard. That has proven to be comfortable as well. Before I bought, Cycle Genius offered to swap out the suspension seat for their standard seat for free when shipping the bike or at a reasonable fee later, if I wanted to switch after trying it. I've liked the suspension seat well enough so that I kept it.

Frame The standard aluminum frame provides strength at a light weight. The frame is manufactured in Taiwan, in a factory that manufactures components for other recumbent companies as well. The other models all had the heavier cromoly frames.

The area of most concern prior to purchase was the wheel size. Speed is determined by the rider's cadence in RPMs, and the gear ratio between the crank and the rear cog as applied to the real wheel. Larger wheels have higher potential speeds, all things being equal. The Burley has a 26 inch rear wheel, as compared to the 20 inch wheel with the ALX 20 squared. Cycle Genius attempted to compensate with a larger chainring (55 teeth tops as compared to the standard 52 or 48 teeth). I compared top speed using online calculators and the Burley came out three MPH higher. Still, I calculated a potential top flat spinning speed of over 20 MPH using a cadence of 70 RPMs. I figured that would be high enough. My cadence and ability to spin in higher gears is improving, so this is not an issue anymore. Still, it is a minor drawback as compared to a 26 inch bike.

The Burley also had a more comfortable handlebar, as theirs flexes up and down as needed. In the end, though, that and the wheel size weren't nearly enough to sway the decision.

I found the sales manager for Cycle Genius to be very helpful and patient, as were the folks at Rudy's Cycle and Fitness in Chicago, where I bought it.

Being a proud American, I went with the red white & blue color scheme known as Patriot as opposed to black (known as Stealth). I accessorized with a Cateye Astrale 8 cyclecomputer with cadence, a flag for visibility, a rear view mirror and a Hydrapak Snowstorm hydration system/backpack which fits nicely over the seat back.

The bike took about a week to arrive at Rudy's and a few days for Rudy's folks to assemble it.

I've been riding for about a month now and have noticed the following:

Comfort It's as comfortable as described. The sitting position is great. There is no strain on arms, shoulders or upper back. I can see what I am doing, instead of looking at the ground. The handlebar position is great.

Starting and steering takes practice I am much more used to a standard bike. The steering took getting used to, because it is much more responsive that a standard bike. The starts also take getting used to. I'm better, but I still occasionally dismount to cross busy streets.

It uses different muscles The Cycle Genius sales manager warned me about this. Recumbent riding uses more of the small muscles surrounding the knee. I got a little soreness initially around my knees as well as in my glutes. My speeds and cadence were both slower at the start than on my standard bike. My legs were pretty decent on my standard bike but only now are they rounding into recumbent shape. My cadence and my ability to power higher gears, and therefore my speeds, are improving.

Recumbents are slower going up hills This is widely known. It's more important on a recumbent to approach a hill at a high cadence and maintain the cadence while shifting to lower gears as needed. On a standard bike, standing in the pedals and pushing is an alternative to spinning up the hill.

Variety is nice! While some riders stop using standard bikes after buying a recumbent, I find that alternating make me appreciate each bike more. I am still using the standard bike for my weekly long ride and for a weekly commute to the office (10 miles each way). I find bike trail rides of 10 miles or so are much more fun on the ALX, now that I am more comfortable with steering and hills. The ability to see around you when riding a recumbent is a real treat. The ALX is marketed as a commuter model. I may end up using it for that next year but I still need to get stronger on speed and mileage first. Fall is approaching and, with declining temperatures and shorter days, I think commuting from home will be finished by late September.

The pedals have been the toughest thing to get used to. The ALX has an alloy pedal which is clipless on one side and flat on the other. The clipless pedal interfaces with shoes that have a cleat that snaps in, not unlike the binding on a ski boot. This scenario is supposed to give incredible power transfer from the legs to the crank. I do plan to try it, although I'm concerned about balance while I get used to the scheme.

I've been using the flat side of the pedals. The problem is that the weight distribution on the pedals causes the cleat interface to face up on the pedal. The first foot goes on easily when I am stopped. However, I occasionally have to abort takeoffs when I have trouble flipping the other pedal to the flat side and getting the second foot on. I am improving. Maybe the cleat will be a solution. Going to a standard pedal is also a potential solution.

However, I'm delighted with the bike. It's been great. I am very happy that I bought it and recommend it highly.

Here are the specs, as listed on the Cycle Genius web site:

Frame/Fork: 7005 Series Aluminum Frame & 100% Cro-moly Fork
Rear Derailleur: Sram 7.0 w/alloy body
Front Derailleur: Shimano Sora triple bottom pull
Brake Calipers: Avid BBDB Mechanical Disc w/160mm Rotors Front and Rear
Brake Levers: Avid Speed Dial 5.0
Crank: Truvativ Elita Alloy w/ Custom 55t/42t/30t Chainrings
Bottom Bracket: Truvative Cartridge sealed bearing
Rims: Alloy Deep Dish, Disc specific 20" front and rear (All Black)
Hubs :Alloy w/rubber seals and alloy quick release levers
Spokes: 14ga. Stainless Steel with Brass Nipples
Tires: Kenda Kwest Black Skin Side Wall 100psi
Pedals: Alloy body, single sided clipless w/9/16" axle
Chain: KMC 8-speed w/quicklink
Rear Cogs: 8spd Cassette (11-13-15-18-20-22-24-28)
Shifters: Sram 5.0 - 24 speed Grip Shift
Handlebars: Kalloy 560mm Alloy
Stem: Custom Kalloy Alloy with QR Adjustable Height Control
Headset: Alloy Sealed mechanism
Seat: Custom Full Mesh Fabric w/spring suspension and adjustable Aluminum back
Accessories: Seat Pad w/dual density foam, Reflectors
Colors: Stealth or Patriot
Size: One size fits most Riders 5'4" to 6'5"
Wheel Base: 53"
Overall Length: 72"
Seat Height: 25"
BB Height: 23.5"
Weight: 35.5 lbs

Thanks for reading. God bless!

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