Tom, my husband of 24 years (and a totally adorable guy as you can see) also wanted a comfy semi-recumbent bike to ride, but the Revive was not his cup of tea. After I already had my bike, we were researching bikes for Tom online, and read about Day 6 bikes on the website of the Bicycle Man. We checked out the Day 6 website, and no dealers exist in our area. At the time, we toyed with the idea of taking some vacation time some time in the summer and driving out the the Bicycle Man’s place in New York to try out the Day 6 bike, but we got busy with work and such and didn’t really make any plans. Meanwhile, I happened to be perusing the Day 6 website during a lunchtime web browse at work, and I noticed that they were offering free shipping plus a one month trial of the bike. With the cost of gas and all, I figured we might as well risk the cost of shipping the bike back if my husband didn’t like it rather than driving to New York to try it, so I ordered it. But, I wanted it to be a surprise, so I didn’t tell Tom.
A couple of weeks later (delayed because Day 6 was moving their warehouse) a really huge box and a smaller box arrived. My husband was not home from work yet, and I thought perhaps I could put the bike together before he got home and really surprise him! I had already asked the Day 6 folks if much assembly would be required and was told, “not much.” Well, you’re probably already thinking “yeah, right” and you are wiser than I. Maybe its not much assembly according to people who know how to put bicycles together and put them together all day long, but I soon was surrounded by little bags of pieces and hex wrenches and instruction pages and big pieces like a front wheel and a fork and a handlebar and a seat. I was game though, and Day 6 has a toll-free number! I quickly became best friends with a series of super-nice guys who answered the phone there (yes, I called at least 10 times over a 1-hour period) and did not laugh when I asked them to identify nearly every single piece of the bicycle over the phone.
In the middle of it all, with me actually on the phone with Day 6, my husband walks into the house. Mind you, I am doing this in our family room, with bicycle parts all over two couches and the floor. Mild-mannered guy that he is, all he says is “What’s going on?” I say “Surprise! I bought you a bike!” He’s also quite forgetful, and I had to remind him of the entire Bicycle Man-New York-Day 6 thing to explain the reason why I bought the bike at all. Once that’s clear, he’s actually quite excited about it and proceeds to help me put it together. He’s never put a bike together either, so the calles to Day 6 continue. Then our son will pops in. He’s home from college and has gotten interested in bicycles, so he pitches in on the assembly too.
When the Day 6 is finally assembled, and this is a few hours later with no one having eaten any dinner, Tom dons his helmet and gives the bike a trial run in our driveway and then on the street. I’m so nervous! What if we did something horribly wrong, and the bike falls apart, and he kills himself? But all is well, and the bike is a success.
4 Comments
July 5, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Hi, Susan. I just discovered your blog when researching the “Day 6″ Bicycle on the web. I, too, am a woman of a certain age and size. I’ve started my new fitness program with “power walks”, but I want to get into bicycling because it’s something my teenage daughter loves, and I want to share that activity with her. Your blog is inspiring and fun to read, and has given me a lot of courage to proceed.
My question is about the Day 6 recumbent bike that you bought your husband. I have considered buying one, and would like to know 2 things:
1. How does your husband like the bike? Is it comfortable and easy to ride?
2. Have you tried riding the Day 6? if so, how does it compare to the Giant Revive? Is it true that the company is no longer manufacturing the Revive?
Looking forward to your response. Happy riding!
July 5, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Hi Miriam! I’m so glad you found my blog and are looking for a bike. My husband finds the Day 6 very comfortable and enjoys it a lot. Like all semi-recumbent/crank forward bikes (including my Revive), the steering and handling of the Day 6 is different than what you are used to on a typical bike. So, is it (and the Revive) easy to ride? In a lot of ways yes, but in one way, no. These bikes do not negotiate sharp or quick turns very easily. The steering is hard to control in these situations. However, in our typical bike trail riding, this is not usually a concern.
I have not actually ridden my husband’s Day 6 because I am really too short for the frame. (I’m 5′ 3″ My husband is almost 6′) They now have a shorter frame version that would fit me. If you order one by mail, you do have a 30 day trial period.
As for the Revive, it is no longer made. However, many bike shops are still selling new ones, and I got mine at a very nice discount because they are discontinued. Also, many nice used ones are available on Ebay and such.
For either bike, I would not skimp on the number of gears. My husband and I both have 21 gear bikes and really use them, even though we ride on very modest hills. The semi-recumbent style requires a very different style of hill riding, and gearing down is part of it.
Good luck. Let me know how it goes!
July 6, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Susan,
Thanks for the quick reply to all my questions. I am a bit reluctant to order by mail — especially after reading your description of putting together the Day 6. I am more inclined to go to a shop that sells them and do a test ride around their parking lot or whatever. I’d rather have a real bike mechanic do the assembly. That being said, the nearest shops to me that sell Day 6 are in Massachusetts, so I will have to organize that in combination with a trip to some friends who live near Boston (I’m in NY). I wouldn’t be opposed to buying a Revive, but how would I find shops that still sell them? Any suggestions?
Most helpful was your final comment about the number of gears. The last bike I owned (which I sold in 1987!)was a 3-speed Raleigh. So I never really learned the fine points of shifting. I live where there are modest hills and thought I could get away with the 7-speed version of the Day 6. But your recommendation for a 21-speed model has convinced me to go for that, and learn how to use them.
Looking forward to your response — and to reading about your further adventures on the blog.
Miriam
July 9, 2008 at 11:32 pm
Susan (& Miriam)
Thank you for your comments. I have been looking for a new bike (last one bought in the mid 80’s) I came across the day 6 & thought they sound too good to be true, but you both have convinced me that they are just what I’m looking for. Will also go for the 21 speed version.
happy Traveling to you both!!
(& your sweet husband, susan!!) :o)
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