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Here was the initial suggestion:
Message from an OwnerFebruary, 2005I picked up a Forerunner last month, have done a couple of 10 mile rides, and love it on the level. Hills are a bit more of a challenge due to the lack of low gearing and, since I live on a hill, I have to make a mile-long detour (compared to my usual bike route) to get home. I took it into work today, to let people ride it around the parking lot, and the response was very positive. Rolling resistance was horrendous, when I picked it up, until I diluted the wheel hub grease with 3-in-1 oil. After doing that one of the front wheel bearings appeared rough so I picked up a pair of "wheelbarrow" bearings from the local "Yardbirds" hardware store for $7. That same wheel was 3/4" in the air, due to a bent frame, so I'm guessing that someone crashed it at some time. I've bent the frame, to get the wheel back on the ground, but that wheel is now at an angle so it needs a but more work. After your experience, with breaking frames, I'd better be very gentle! It now rolls really so freely that the single brake gets a quite workout and has developed something of a squeal. For carrying stuff I sit a soft-sided cooler on the back of the frame and hang my backpack behind the seat. Comparisons: I have an old Infinity LWB recumbent, with underseat steering, that is quite comfortable but (frequent) starting is a chore, you need both hands on the handlebars at (almost) all times, and slow speed balance (i.e. going up hills) takes concentration. Being able to just sit there, in the Forerunner, while waiting for traffic lights to change or pedestrians get out of the way is a real treat. Without a luggage rack the Infinity can carry nothing except a water bottle. I also have a full suspension mountain bike that is great for urban assault-style riding, and getting up hills, but it has a fairly stretched out riding position and my wrists get numb on the rare occasions I spend more than an hour in the saddle. And I can only carry a backpack which is limiting for trips to the store. Score another one for the Forerunner! For storage I flip the Forerunner vertical and rest it on the seat back. A couple of pairs of 2x4s stop the mudguards from getting squished, while padding on the top two 2x4s keep the frame's stealth color scheme pristine. Thanks again and happy riding, Adrian
Danville, CA
And here's one in July, 2007:From: "Dave Gustafson"Subject: Forerunner It appears the last 'Forunner experience' comments were made some years ago. I hope my comments will create some response. I purchased my Forerunner in 2006 at a garage sale near Mora, MN. (I live in Eden Prairie, MN). I knew nothing of the problems....just though I had a fun 4 wheeler to ride. I can live with the weak frame, weak gearshift pin, weak brake, and single wheel drive. At age 70, I can't live with the gear ratio. The lowest gear is geared too high for moderate hills. The explanation in your diary to switch the gearing is over my head. So...two possibilities:
or, 2)Might someone want to buy my forerunner. It is so 'new' that the nipples on the original tires are not yet worn off. If you want to be listed on this page, send me an email. Please note that this is a list of owners of the Forerunner, a four-wheeled bicycle--not other types of exercise equipment!Randy
Last updated: August 13, 2007
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