Quick Information
Tire & Wheel information
Rear:
R40, 50, 44, 54, 45, 55, 82, 85: 26" - 559 bead seat diameter
R64, R65, 68: 26" - 571 bead seat diameter
Front: R40, 44, 45, 82, 85: 20" - 406 bead seat diameter
R40 Compact Frame: 16" - 349 bead seat diameter
R64, R65, 68: 26" - 571 bead seat diameter
Owner 's
M a nua l
Inflation pressures: Inflate to the pressure moulded on tire sidewall
Wheel dish: All 60 series are standard. All other Rear wheels are built without
traditional dish, call for exact specs.
Shock Air Pressure:
Set air pressure to rider's weight
Max Shock pressure=300psi.
Torque specifications
Underseat Handlebar Stem: 65 in-lbs (6 N-M)
Serial number location
On back plate of main tube.
Models R4 0
R5 0
R4 4
R5 4
R4 5
R5 5
The Advanced Transportation Products Inc. Warranty
Advanced Transportation Products Inc. warrants each new VISION bicycle frame, fork, and seat frame
against defects in workmanship and materials for the lifetime of the original owner. Paint and decals, seat
fabric, and all original parts, are warranted for a period of one year from the date of purchase. This
warranty is expresssly limited to the repair or replacement of a defective frame, fork, seat or defective parts
and is the sole remedy of the warranty. This warranty applies to the original owner and is not transferable.
Claims under this warranty are to be made through an authorized VISION dealer. Proof of purchase is
required. A Warranty Registration Card must be completed and received by Advanced Transportation
Products Inc. before warranty claims may be processed.
R6 4
R6 5
R6 8
The warranty does not cover normal wear and tear, improper assembly or maintenance, or installation of
parts or accessories not originally intended or compatible with the bicycle as sold.
The warranty does not apply to damage or failure due to accident, abuse or neglect.
Adva nced Tr a ns por t a t ion P r oduct s , Inc.
P.O. Box 2 4 9 , Mountlake Terrace, WA 9 8 0 4 3
Advanced Transportation Products Inc. shall not be responsible for incidental or consequential damages.
Labor charges for part changeovers is not covered by this warranty. The user assumes the risk of any
personal injury or damage to the bicycle or other losses if the bicycle is used in any competitive event
including but not limited to bicycle racing, triathalons, or similar activities.
Phone: 4 2 5 -6 7 3 -2 4 4 8
Fax: 4 2 5 -6 7 3 -4 6 6 8
Toll Free: 8 7 7 -4 3 3 -4 2 7 3 (US Only)
E-Mail: Info@visionbikes.com
Web: www.visionbikes.com
C. Copyright 2 0 0 2 ATP Inc. All rights reserved.
Do not copy without written permission of ATP Inc.
2 0
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
Cha pt e r 4 : (Cont inue d)
Cha pt e r 1 : Re a d m e Fir s t !
Thank you for choosing a VISION Recumbent! Here at Advanced
Transportation Products we have produced the most advanced, full featured line of
recumbents available. Please take a few moments now to fill out your warranty
registration card - we want to know what you think about your new bike.
Before we explore your new VISION's features, we would like to take a few
moments to discuss some important points about recumbents and bike riding in
general:
Fairing
We sell a clear plastic fairing for your Vision bike. It mounts to any Vision 40, 50 or
60 series bike except the MediumWheelbase R40MWB.
The unit mounts to the front derailleur
tube. There is about a 10% - 15%
reduction in aerodynamic drag with the
fairing, but the real advantage of the
fairing is the weather protection it offers.
Riding in cold and wet weather is a joy in
comparison to an unfaired bike, making
this a must for year-round commuting.
Always wear an ANSI or Snell approved helmet -- Yes, with their
lower center of gravity and feet-first position, recumbents are significantly safer
than upright bicycles. You still need to protect your most valuable body part. Modern
bicycle helmets are light, cool, and offer lifesaving protection.
Check your bike carefully before each ride -- Spend a few moments
before each ride inspecting your VISION for problems.
*Check all the nuts, bolts and other fasteners to make sure none are loose.
*The tires should be inflated to the pressure moulded on the sidewall,
and free of cuts or imperfections.
Light Mount
This unit adds a small section of handlebar
diameter tube to the front derailleur tube of your
VISION, and allows many light systems to be
mounted up front.
*The wheel and seat quick release skewers should be clamped shut with
at least 20 lbs (14kgf) of force, and a sharp blow to the top of the tire should not
knock the wheel loose. Study the wheel / seat skewer operation diagram - the skewer
handle has a curve in it that will face the tire when properly closed. Open the
skewer handle, tighten the skewer nut slightly, then close the skewer handle ( curve
facing toward the wheel). It should take 20-45 lbs of force to close the handle as
shown, and the skewer should emboss the metal of the wheel dropout.
*MAKE SURE THE SEAT AND WHEEL QR SKEWERS ARE TIGHT!!
Open
Skewer Handle
Skewer Nut
Close here with
20 - 45 lbs force
Rotate here to tighten/loosen
Closed
Wheel / Seat Skewer Operation
1 8
3
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
Cha pt e r 1 : (cont inue d)
Cha pt e r 4 : (Cont inue d)
* The wheels should be straight and not wobble.
Chainguard
If you ride with loose/floppy pants, or just find
yourself getting chain goo on your legs, we
have a clear lexan chainguard available for all
the 40 and 50 series bikes.
*Squeeze each brake lever to make sure there is no binding and the brake
pads press hard enough on the rims to stop the bike. The brake pads should be
adjusted so they are 1/16" (2mm) away from the rim when not applied. The brake
pads should be centered on the rim and not touching the tire itself.
*The seat quick release skewers should be closed with at least 20 lbs
(14kgf) of force (see the skewer diagram).
SeatBack System
The SeatBack system consists of the WaterBack, and the
SeatBag. The WaterBack is designed to mount permanently
to your seat, and carries standard hydration bladders (not
included) as well as having room for some tools and money.
*Sitting on the bike, swing the handlebars from side to side checking for
binding or interference. Check to make sure the stem bolt is tight. The handlebars
should not rotate in either direction when 50 lbs of force is applied to either grip.
*On long wheelbase models, check the tightness of the boom pinch bolts
and make sure the boom anti-rotate bolt is installed. Do not ride a long wheelbase
VISION without the boom anti-rotation bolt!
We also make the 800 cu/in DayBag, which will attach to
the seat with or without the WaterBack.
*If you are unsure of the condition of your VISION recumbent, Do Not
Ride It until the problem has been corrected. If you have any questions at all, see
your VISION dealer.
Rear Rack / Panniers
Your Vision bike will accept standard rear racks. For all bikes
except the R40, which has threaded inserts on the seatstay, you will need racks that
have the “strap-on” seat stay clamp
Wear gloves -- with its low center of gravity, you don't fall very far on a
recumbent, but you will touch down with your hand first! A set of bicycling gloves
will protect your skin.
attachments.
Wear eye protection Riding down the road at speed is no time to get a
bug or dirt stuck in your eye! Goggles, glasses or both will save your sight and
protect against a crash.
Fenders
For wet weather riding your Vision 40 and
50 series bikes will accept fenders. We
offer fender sets for these bikes. All
fenders should be installed by a qualified
bike shop.
Practice riding your VISION -- before you mix it up with traffic,
spend enough time on your recumbent on a parking lot, driveway or other open
area to get used to its unique riding position. Chapter 3 has some important
information about riding your VISION.
Kickstand
Never ride at night without a front and rear light!
We make the KSGizmo, an adaptor that will let
you mount a standard 305mm Greenfield
(available from your dealer) to any VIsion. We
also make our own centerstands for your 50
series bikes.
Experiment with different seat positions, seat angles, and boom lengths
during your practice period -- Your VISION recumbent has many adjustments and
special features that fit the bike to you. Try them all!
4
1 7
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
Cha pt e r 4 : Acce s s or ie s
Cha pt e r 1 : (cont inue d)
Now that you are comfortable riding your new VISION, I’m sure that you will want to
customize it for your particular riding needs. Your VISION recumbent has been
designed to accept a full range of standard bicycling accessories, as well as some
custom items that have been designed by ATP.
Be careful when riding in wet conditions- No brakes, whatever
their design, work as effectively in wet weather as they do in dry. Stopping
distances and brake lever pressures all will increase.
Keep your pedal cadence high - You can overstress your knees
with the tremendous leverage you have on a recumbent. We recommend that you
pedal in the 80-90 RPM range. If you experience knee pain, spin faster and check
your leg length setting. It is probably too short - see Chapter 2 for leg length
adjustment. You might also change your seat back angle.
Mirror
If you ride in traffic, a mirror is a must. We sell unit for both over or under seat
handlebars. There are also helmet and eyeglass mount options available.
Computer
Virtually any small bicycle computer will fit on your Vision. If your bike is
equipped with over seat steering you will need to purchase a computer with a
extra long wiring haness. We recommend that you mount the computer on the
handlebars, although make sure that on underbar steering models the computer
doesn’t interfere with the seat frame as you turn the handlebars from side to side.
Suspension Technology
The Vision R50, R54 & R55 are equipped with suspension frames featuring our
NPT (no-pogo technology) suspension. There is a lot of talk about bike pogoing;
that energy wasting bounce of the suspension usually when climbing a hill. We’ve
carefully designed our swingarm and pivot geometry to work with you, not against
you. When you pedal a Vision with NPT, the force you apply on the chain
balances out the tendency of the bike to dip under your accelerating body
weight. For the system to work correctly it is important to balance the spring
load of the suspension shock against the weight of the bike and rider. Utilizing
modern air pressure shocks makes this an easy task. A
high-pressure air pump (available from your dealer) is
used to adjust the air pressure in the system. You
should start with the pressure set to the rider’s
weight, up to the maximum rated load of your bike.
Once the pressure is set, you should ride the bike
and fine tune the air pressure as needed. You have
the pressure set properly when the
shock doesn’t compress when you are
sitting on the bike (unmoving), yet is
Water
Don’t forget to drink plenty of water! Our WaterBack allows you to carry any
standard hydration bladder. You can also carry waterbottles and an additional
bladder in the DayBag.
Pedals/Toeclips
Your VISION will accept all standard pedaling systems. Clipless pedals such as
the SPD and LOOK work extremely well on recumbents - just remove your
original pedals and screw in the new (the left pedal is left-hand thread). Toeclips
are also recommended - practice getting in/out of them a while before hitting the
streets. One technique for entering toeclips is to “flip” the toeclip forward with
your toe so that it swings around onto your foot. After a while it becomes
second nature!
about to start compressing—try
bouncing a little. Now go for a ride up
your favorite hill and notice what the
shock does. If it pogos you should
increase the shock air pressure
slightly. The system is set perfectly
when you get a soft ride, but no
bounce on the climbs.
1 6
5
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
Cha pt e r 2 : S e t -up a nd Fit t ing
Cha pt e r 3 : (Cont inue d)
Your VISION dealer will have put your recumbent together and set the adjustments
for you. We don't recommend riding your VISION at all until the following
procedures have been accomplished or checked by a qualified bicycle mechanic. We
will review the fitting instructions here, and also point out some areas that need
continuing inspection.
line—and are sure you’re not about to take a long ride on a short pier—practice
swinging your head to the left and right, taking quick glances behind you. The
first time you do this you will inevitably shift your weight and hand position,
causing the bike to swerve. Don’t panic, this is why we are practicing in the park
instead of a congested street. While many riders like to use a helmet or bicycle
mounted mirror—and we sell a beautiful unit that mounts onto the handlebar,
see Chapter four of this manual—it’s important to be able to actually look
around behind you. This not only gives you options on checking out traffic, but
practicing this will increase your skills and confidence on the bike.
The Handlebar
Your VISION handlebar has been installed on your bike at the factory, but
removed from the steerer (over-seat steering style) or the fork stem (below-seat
style) for shipment.
At this point you should be feeling pretty good about life, zooming along nice
and comfortable, relaxed and thinking about how much fun you are going to have
on this thing. Well don’t get too cocky yet. Before you hit the open road there are
a some more exercises you should do. Practice circling, both to the right and to
the left. Start out with gentle curves, and progress to tighter and tighter radius
“U” turns. You should really try to master turning slowly in as tight a curve as
possible quite a few times, this gets you ready for the real world of poor
directions and detours. If you find yourself wobbling or jerking the handlebars
around, you are probably too tense. Relax, let your hands grasp the bars in a
light but firm manner. Let your shoulders droop, relax your neck, don’t “death-
clench” your teeth. Once you relax you will have more control over the bike.
For over-seat steering models, insert the lower handlebar stem into the fork
completely, align the stem plates parallel to the front wheel, and tighten the stem
bolt to a torque specification of 65 in-lbs. Next, adjust the height of the bar at
the sliding section. When you are comfortable with the height, make sure at least
3 inches of the lower riser are still in the upper riser, align the handlebars
perpendicular to the front wheel, and tighten the riser clamp to 65 in-lbs.
The above bar handlebar rotates forward for ease of entry and exit - it is meant
to be pulled back tight against the fore/aft rest adjustment bolt under riding
conditions. Set the bolt such that your elbows just rest against the seat sides
when the handlebars are pulled against the stop.
Next, you should practice using the brakes. Stop and take off a few times, getting
a feel for how much pressure on the lever it takes to slow down or stop the bike.
Remember to always use both brakes together, with gentle pressure at first to
stop the bike smoothly. Drop both your feet to the pavement while giving the
brakes the final squeeze to stop the bike. Lean forward a bit and stand up, while
reaching behind you for the seat frame to steady the bike. Practice stopping and
dismounting, then starting off again. You should also practice stopping by
dropping only one leg, typically your non-dominant leg. This exercise will help
you deal with momentary stops, such as at stop signs and traffic lights. It does
take a little practice to balance the bike leaning onto a single leg. Remember to
keep one hand clamped on a brake to prevent the bike from rolling, it really
helps. I usually immediately cock my “crank-bound” leg for the start, and then
hold pressure against the brake until I’m ready to go. You should also carefully
investigate what happens to the bike with gradually increasing brake lever
pressure, so you will be comfortable with quick decisions on the road.
For below-seat steering models, insert the stem all the way into the fork tube,
then back out the stem at least one quarter inch to prevent interference. Level
the handlebar by sitting on the bike, turning the bars from side to side, and
checking for seat/handlebar interference. Tighten the stem bolt and/or the binder
bolt. Adjust the fore and aft position of the
handlebars so that the handlebar grip is parallel
or angled slightly downward from the seat frame.
To check alignment, sit on the seat, grasp both
handlebar grips firmly, and turn the handlebar
side to side - there should be no interference
between the seat frame and your arms. If there
is, rotate the grips rearward in the stem. Tighten
the stem binder. The bars should be tight
enough that they will not rotate with 60lbs/27kg
force on the handle, but not so tight that they
will not rotate under a sharp blow (such as
laying the bicycle on its side).
6
1 5
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
Cha pt e r 3 : (Cont inue d)
Cha pt e r 2 : (Cont inue d)
The VISION Seat
Sit awhile, rock back and forth and from side to side. Notice how the seat cradles
you, and how comfortably close to the ground you are. Grasp the handlebars and
rock the front wheel from side to side. Squeeze the brake levers. Yodel a few
times. Do whatever it takes to relax. Many first time riders try to sit forward on
the seat, not being used to the relaxed, laid back position. Sit back! Enjoy the
comfort!
The 2002 Vision seat feature a new anti-slip
mechanism on the nose quick release skewer to
prevent accident seat releases. To remove the seat,
you must loosen the seat QR skewer lever, and then
turn the skewer loose an additional several turns
until the side plate disengages from the seat
droppout.
Now pick a dominant leg. For most people this is your right leg, but go with
whatever is most comfortable for you. Pick your leg up and swing the crank arm
around so you can easily reach the pedal. If you are using toe straps, flip the pedal
clip over your foot, but keep the strap nice and loose to start with. Swing the
crank around until your foot is in a
“cocked” position; somewhere
close to the top of the pedal
If you have to attach or remove the seat
stroke. This spot is different for
fabric, follow these directions.
everyone, the key is to find the
spot where you feel best about
putting a lot of power into the
There are two webbing pockets on the seat
fabric top that go over the seat side rail
backs - attach these first, then follow the
pedal. It helps to hold the bike
from rolling with either brake.
When you’re ready, release the
brake, and push forward firmly on
illustrations for the seat panel attachment. For the
the pedal. As you start moving,
first few weeks, the seat fabric will stretch a bit and
appear loose. Simply tighten the fabric as needed -
the fabric will stabilize after about 100 miles or so.
Check the seat before each ride for abrasions,
tears and tightness.
lift your other foot up and keep
peddling. At first you probably will
wobble a little, but don’t panic and
Foot Starting Pos ition
tense up! Just relax and concentrate on making small corrections with the
handlebars. The most common beginners' error is to overcontrol the bike, ending
up steering a set of “S” curves down the lane. If you relax and let your hands sit
lightly on the handlebars, you will find it easier to avoid this syndrome. Lean
back! You are probably trying to lean forward, to mimic that "other" type bike
you've been riding. Another common first time mistake is to stare at your feet —
after all, you’ve never seen them before! Look ahead, see the scenery you’ve been
missing.
To install the seat on your VISION, simply insert the front of the seat frame into the
main frame attachment. Turn the QR Skewer down several turns until the side plate
engages the dropout slot, nd tighten the skewer securely.
Note: on the R40 and R60 series bikes, there are two front
seat mount positions; use the forward one if you are 5' 7" or
shorter, the rear position if you are taller or want to sit further
back on the bike. Slide the rear seat frame attachment fork
into the rear skewer and tighten the rear seat skewer. One of
the unique features of your VISION recumbent is its
adjustable seat back angle - accomplished at the rear seat
attachment. For the first adjustment, set the rear seat back
to the middle of its range, and close the skewer with at least
20 lbs force.
Once you’re riding smoothly in a straight line, it’s time to practice looking
around. Now don’t laugh, I’m not being funny nor condescending. Compared to a
traditional bike you will find yourself looking at the world from a whole new
perspective, a comfortable one. The biggest problem you will face is keeping
your mind on the road. Since you are riding in a relaxing reclined position it’s all
too easy to forget about everything except the scenery in front of you. Looking
behind you is not difficult, but it does take practice. As you ride in a straight
1 4
7
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
Cha pt e r 3 : (Cont inue d)
Cha pt e r 2 : (Cont inue d)
Leg length / The Chain
Before you start to ride, look at your gears and make sure that you are set in a
good gear to start in. On a flat surface this usually is in the middle chainring (up
front) and in one of the three largest cogs (on the back). If the bike is not in one
of these gears, have someone hold the rear wheel off the ground so you can spin
the cranks and shift the gears. Don’t forget that you should only shift when
pedaling! As you gain experience you will find yourself thinking ahead and
shifting into your favorite “start-up” gear before you come to a stop.
The trickiest part of the VISION set up is setting the proper leg length. Since the
front boom moves in and out to set your leg length, the chain will have to be set
after we determine the proper boom setting for you.
If possible, set your VISION on a rear wheel type wind trainer. If you don't have
access to such a trainer, have a friend hold the bike up behind your seat while you sit
and spin the pedals backwards. When the leg length is set properly, you will be
pedaling with just a slight bend in your knee at full extension. Take your time - this
is a very important adjustment. Most riders start out with the boom set too short.
To avoid this, start your adjustment process with the boom out too far and work back
in.
Now let’s get on the bike. I tend to always mount from the left, like on a horse,
but the important thing is to establish a pattern and do it the same way every
time so it becomes a habit. For underseat steering bikes, starting on the left side,
hold the seat back with your right hand. Standing in front of the handlebar and
facing the bike, swing your right leg over the front boom. You are now looking
forward, straddling the bike. Reach down and
Note: adjusting the seat back
angle affects the boom length
adjustment. Check leg length
adjustment after a seat back angle
change.
grab the handlebar grips, apply the brakes, and
sit down.
Your 2002 Vision features our new
Instant-Adjust system. To set the
boom length to accomidate your leg,
simply loosen the quick release
Proper Leg Extens ion
skewer on the left side of the boom
collar, shown below. Then move the boom to wherever you need it, and retighten the
skewer. The boom will move easier if you loosen the QR skewer one turn after
flipping it open. Retighten the skewer by turning it back in one turn, and then
clamping it closed securely. Make sure the QR skewer closes firmly. See page two
for details on the proper operation of quick releases. There is an alignment
mechanism built into the boom
Mounting-Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
collar to keep everything straight.
For upright steering bikes,
grab the seat back with your right hand, the
middle of the handlebars with your left hand, and move the handlebars forward
slightly.
Now step through the space between the seat and the handlebar with your right
leg, and sit down on the seat. Grab the brakes and apply lightly. Rotate the
handlebars toward you until they hit the fore/aft adjustment stop. Settle yourself
into the seat and get comfortable.
QR s kewer
8
1 3
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
Cha pt e r 3 : Riding t he VIS ION
Cha pt e r 2 : (Cont inue d)
Final Inspection
Riding a Vision recumbent is no more difficult
than riding a traditional diamond frame bicycle,
just slightly different. If you are new to cycling,
you’ll find it easy to learn to ride on a Vision. If
you are an experienced rider, you’ll have to learn
some new habits, but the benefits of riding a
recumbent far outweigh the small learning curve
involved. Either way, it’s important to spend a
little time adjusting to your new bike before
riding in traffic or committing to a long ride. In
this chapter I’m going to discuss some things
that will make the transition to recumbents, or
learning to ride on a recumbent, easier.
Before each ride be sure to inspect all the
nuts and bolts on the bike, looking for any
parts that may have loosened.
Check the alignment of the wheels, and inspect the
brakes to make sure the shoes contact the rims
squarely and don't bind.
First of all, be sure to read the previous chapter about set up of the bike. To ride
well you have to be comfortable, and to be comfortable you need to be sure that
your Vision is adjusted to fit you properly. The seat angle is adjustable, and
really affects how you feel on the bike. If you’re just starting out with recumbents
you will probably want to set the seat as upright as possible. Later you can
recline the seat incrementally until you find your own ideal position.
The handlebars should be aligned and able to turn
from side to side without binding or interference.
Check that the wheel skewers are secure, and that a
sharp blow on the wheel while you hold the bike off
the ground will not jar the wheel loose.
If you’re comfortable on your bike, it’s time to go riding. First and foremost, the
most important part of riding any bike is to wear proper safety equipment. We
discussed safety equipment in Chapter 1, but I will repeat it here. It is essential
to wear a helmet, all the time, anytime you ride. It’s also very important to wear
gloves when you ride. If you do have an accident and fall over, you’ll probably
catch yourself with your hands, so save your palms and wear gloves. You should
also wear protective eyewear; road grit and flying insects do not make for happy
eyes. Wearing cycling shoes, shorts and jerseys can help you be more
Check that all seat and wheel skewers are secure.
See Chapter 1 for more details.
comfortable, but they are not as essential as the helmet, gloves and glasses.
Now you’re all set to hop on your Vision and pedal away into the sunset, right?
Wrong! The key to riding smoothly and in a controlled fashion on any bicycle,
recumbent or not, is to be comfortable enough to relax. If you are nervous and
tense, you will tend to ride in a jerky, overcontrolling fashion. Not only does this
make you more uncomfortable, which leads to even worse riding, but it doesn’t
look cool. So you need to approach the bike as your friend, someone you’ll enjoy
spending the day with. The intent here is to spend some unpressured time
getting to know your bike before you get 20 miles into nowhere, or involved with
city traffic. Pack a lunch and head for the park, relax and enjoy the day for a bit,
and then set yourself up to ride in the parking lot, or any open space with no
traffic.
1 2
9
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
Cha pt e r 2 : (Cont inue d)
Cha pt e r 2 : (Cont inue d)
S ea t Ba ck
S ea t Rea r
Quick Relea s e
Ha ndleba r
S ea t Ba s e
Fr ont Der a illeur
Heads et
Idle r s
Cas s et t e
Sea t Nos e
Quick Relea s e
Fr ont For k
Rea r Der a illeur
1 0
1 1
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
|