Challenge Seiran w. Rohloff, SON & E-WERK

Overview

This is a heavily upgraded and very well maintained short-wheel base (SWB) high tourer which is 'expedition ready' and is fully serviced. As a guide: this bike would cost ±£3,250 new, as spec'd.

Extra photos, reviews

• https://www.drop.com/sh/mhx0orrgpsiftkr/AAAd6TPWrZN5BQnZLDzx_KYya?dl=0 - Extra Photos
• http://www.challengebikes.com/pdfs/velovision-seiran.pdf - Review from VeloVision [PDF]
  • Note: The review bike is a 24" wheel size with a day rack, this is a 26" wheel size with an expedition rack.
• http://www.challengebikes.com/seiran_detail.php - Challenge Seiran Product Page
  • Note: This bike has been upgraded over-stock, some of the details aren't the same

Bike Features

• http://cyclingabout.com/15-reasons-to-tour-with-a-rohloff-hub - Rohloff 500/14 Speedhub: near maintenance free hub gear with a range of 560% (about that same as a 27 speed mountain bike). Instant shifting, great for touring, commuting and hills.
• Expedition rack: one of the best recumbent racks that I've seen. Easily takes four standard rear panniers and a top bag. Easy to remove if not needed (see  https://www.drop.com/sh/mhx0orrgpsiftkr/AAAd6TPWrZN5BQnZLDzx_KYya?dl=0 - Photo Gallery).
• Full Electrics: the  http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/schmidt.asp - Schmidt SON dynamo powers the  http://supernova-lights.com/en/products/index. - Supernova E3 Pro front/rear lights and your devices, via a  http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/ewerk.asp - Busch & Muller E-Werk (with Cache Battery).
• Ergonomic upgrades:
  • much better glass fibre seat,
  • folding tiller (from TerraCycle) inc. bottle cage mount
  • and an air-shock with lock-out ...than the Challenge originals.
• Shimano M785 Deore XT hydraulic disc brakes
• Schwalbe Marathon Plus 1.5 tyres (touring, winter) and Schwalbe Kojak 1.5 tyres (summer)
• Miryccle Mirror
• Full SKS Mudguards

Extras

• B&M E-Werk cables, adapters etc. It's currently set-up for use with a smartphone.
• Original Avid BB7 cable disk brakes
• Pedals (plastic, you might prefer your own)
• Spare chain tensioner hanger
• Misc. Challenge only spares, parts

Bike Notes

History

• Bought new from Future Cycles in 2011. Proof of purchase available.
• No crashes, or prangs
• Very well maintained and stored inside
• I estimate ±3,500 miles of use

Condition

• Paint is a little scuffed and marked here and there from normal use [photos]
• The spring on the Rohloff chain tensioner will need replacing in the next year or so (±£15)
• Bike Register police code burned into paint (I can transfer the code to you)
• I can't think of any other parts or components which are nearing the end of their life, or which need servicing. She's ready to go!

Size, Sizing

At its simplest: average male height to 'tall'. The boom is tuneable for leg length. If you're 'short' you could adapt the bike by fitting 24" rims to reduce the height.

Ride, Performance

The Seiran is very quick and responsive, and excellent in traffic. You're about the same height as a cabbie so you're quite visible and safe. The powerful [upgraded] brakes have sweet modulation and they come into their own on long, fast, descents; especially when loaded for touring. The rear air shock is tuneable and has a lock-out so you can set it for regular riding, harder for loaded touring and lock-out for long stretches of good quality tarmac. The rack distributes weight well (forward of the rear axle and low).

Why selling?

This bike has been my project since 2011, but the time has come to move on! She's a great, capable and fun bike, but I'm buying a 20" recumbent tourer and I only have space for one recumbent in London.

Delivery options

The bike is based in Richmond, London and so it's near  https://www.google.co.uk/s/place/richmond+park/@51.442687,-0.283707,11z/=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x138cbe1a5a3a048d?sa=X&ei=nyYgVY7iEI2LaJuLgPgO&ved=0CIgBEPwSMA4 - Richmond Park (good for test rides). I can deliver anywhere in London and will consider meeting half-way elsewhere in the UK (message me).

Have Questions?

Feel free to ask me questions (via eBay). Also, let me know if you'd like a photo of something that's not covered in the  https://www.drop.com/sh/mhx0orrgpsiftkr/AAAd6TPWrZN5BQnZLDzx_KYya?dl=0 - Dropbox Photo Gallery or the eBay gallery

Full (Technical) Details

These are more accurate than the versions on the Challenge website because of the upgrades.