Azub Six recumbent bike

The Six is an engineering masterpiece. The steering is natural and the balance is as close to perfect as we know of.

Oversized aluminum tubing gives it a solid, efficient feel. Azub trial-tests all of their product in rigorous, tough, real-life touring situations and the lessons learned are clear.

Steering comes in wide assortment of options from above-seat pivoting tiller to underseat steering (USS).

It comes with choice of hard-shell and mesh seats. A movable front seat fastening point allows quick adustments with no effect to the chain.

Azub can build these up with a wide variety of components / gruppos.

Azub describes the details exquisitely. The following is excerpted from their website (see links):

Recumbent AZUB SIX is a user-friendly bike with really amazing driving properties. It results from a ten years experience of recumbents' development.  

It results from the usual European concept of recumbents. Geometry of the AZUB SIX model includes the bottom bracket located lower than the minimum height of the seat. This makes it suitable for a comfortable ride without any significant sporting ambitions. 26" rear wheel further improves the already excellent comfort of this bike, which can be amplified by adding a suspension front fork. 

You can also find the AZUB SIX model in our "Special Edition" as the Expedition version for long-distance cycling trips. Components carefully selected just for this purpose are a must.

Much as the other bikes that we offer, is AZUB SIX offered in several equipment levels with a number of upgrades and accessories. 

These are some of the reasons "why:"

• easy to use
• the same height of sitting and pedalling provides you with a perfect steering ability and fast starting so that even biking in a city traffic doesn't make any problems at all
• convenient for using as a transport to work as well
• a relativ steep position of the seat enables you a view that cannot be compared with anything else than a cabriolet
• perfectly storable - the lenght of AZUB SIX is the same as the lenght of a trekking bike
• an unique adjustability

Asymetrical rear fork
The design of our asymmetric rear fork we presented at SPEZI 2007 astonished not only recumbent bike riders but also professionals. It is not a gadget for a mere showing of! You can experience the functionality of its original shape and of its unique fit into AZUB frames on Mini, SIX and MAX.

The radius of this asymmetric rear fork inserting gives plenty of space to the movable chain pulley which eliminates the so-called pogo effect (lateral swinging of a recumbent bike when pedalling rhythmically or using force) and substantially improves the smoothness of a chain circulation. The equilibrium and qualities of the whole construction are assured by the radius of rear shock inserting in the opposite direction.

The whole rear fork is made of specially designed thin-wall tubes AL 7020. It gives it two essential qualities that you are looking for: stiffness and extremely light weight. The interchangeable rear derailluer hanger of the gear system has become a standard feature of all AZUB models.

Movable idler
We’ve eliminated the “pogo effect” by placing chain pulley on Top Line models. Furthermore it is positioned on the axis made of a high quality stainless steel allowing the chain to swing smoothly from the left to the right according to the set up gear. This technical solution lengthens the chain’s lifetime and decreases a resistance that occurred on the fixed positioning of the axis.

Super-oversized main frame tube
AZUB frames are recognisable by their central frame tube that carries fixations of all major elements, be it the head tube with the front fork, the seat, the rear fork bracket or the luggage racks. This solution not only gives our bikes a maximal stiffness and solidity, hence stable riding behaviour but also an important carriage capacity of its back carrier. You will utmost appreciate our technical solution when fully loaded with several bags behind you as their weight will not influence the riding performance of your recumbent.

IPS - Ideal Position System
This system has made AZUB famous since the brand’s foundation in 2000. It allows riders to find the right position on their AZUB recumbent through a wide range of adjustable seat positions, through the possibility of adjustment their under-seat or upper-seat steering and last but not least, through the possibility of setting the ideal frame length.

Read more about our IPS

Sliding seat bracket
Our new system of saddle sliding immediately on a frame tube, which is used in all our bikes and trikes represents a further development of our IPS and we are really excited about it. It is really accurate in operation, fast and allows you to adjust your seating position with millimeter accuracy.

In order to facilitate handling, we have placed a guide rail on the frame, which prevents the sleeve from spinning and the angular offset of the seat to the seating plane and pedaling position. The entire bracket is then controlled by two quick releases. The upper one releases the seat, the lower one allows for moving the seat on the frame.

The bracket is made of heavy-duty plastic reinforced with glass fiber and we have been testing it in full operation for many months. The technology we use within its production also guarantees that the frame will remain free of major scratches even in frequent shifting. 

3 types of steering
 You can choose from three different styles of steering. It is either the ASS - above seat steering (or as called in US the over seat steering) or the USS – under seat steering or the OC – open cocpit (or as is called superman position, or in Germany „Udf“. Read more about those three types of steering, their advantage and disadvantage in ourBuyer`s guide.

Wide range of options and accessories
We offer an unbelivable range of options and accessories. You can choose from basic Shimano Alivio components through Deore, or XT till Rohloff 14 speed hub. Also SRAM Dual Drive gearing or Alfine gear hubs are available. Not talking about a possibility of electronica shifting or even 18 speed Pinion hubs we build upon special request. Almost everything is possible. Then you can choose from endless list of brake options, cranks, forks, shocks, tyres etc. Also BionX electric motors are available. Not talking about all the accessories we offer you and which can be assembled on your bike. If you need help, please, read our Buyer`s guide or contact AZUB dealer or directly us.

Tyres
Tyres are an important part of the bike or trike. With light components, possibly carbon seat and fast Durano tyres, you can have very fast bike, with front suspension, XT components and Racing Ralph tyres you can ride on a serious recumbent mountain bike. Or you can opt for Marathon Plus for long distance adventures or in case you simply do not want to have any punctures. Those are the reasons why we offer such a wide range of tyres.

Carriers
AZUB recumbents are not only perfect for every day use, shorter or longer one day trips, but also for multi-day adventures which often require a lot of equipment and therefor luggage. We have developed a system of carriers which can carry up to six pairs of side bags like Ortlieb Front or Back-Rollers, but we think the best way is to use just four of them but have them on attached on our Expedition extension and Super expedition carrier. That way, you get them as low as possible with what lower the center of gravity significantly and make the ride far more stable. We are pretty proud of this set of carriers.

Production in Czech
At AZUB, we are very proud that an overwhelming majority of production process and assembly of our recumbents take place in the Czech Republic. The rest is done in the neighbouring Slovakia. From the first sketch, continuing with bending of tubes, welding until the last screw screwed up, we produce everything in the heart of Europe! 

The production process of all parts of our frames is computerized using the CNC technology, be it for welding of parts for the seat fixation or bending of the frame tube itself. You can appreciate human craftsmanship when looking at the visual aspect of welding on AZUB bikes. Their quality and aesthetics are incomparably better than the ones of frames produced in Taiwan or in mainland China. 

The assembly of our recumbents takes place at the AZUB headquarters. It is undertaken by experienced mechanics who’ve been building up recumbents for almost a decade. Each bike  is carefully set up according to the height and weight of its future owner and tested prior to shipping. Therefore, when ordering an AZUB bike you can be sure that the bike you’re getting is perfect. 

See our production video here.

The ergonomic positions of shifting systems and brakes (USS)

Other manufacurers’ recumbents with under-seat steering are equipped with “bar end” or “grip” shifting systems. From our viewpoint, none of them is satisfactory. Especially in combination with non-ergonomic position of brakes as they don’t allow for a simultaneous use of shifting and braking functions. Furthermore, the grip shifts are being positioned on the little-finger side of a rider’s palm. Riders often complain about having difficulties turning the shifts and not having enough stopping power. It becomes almost “mission impossible” to shift when it is raining.

That is also why we focus so much on the ergonomics of our bikes’ components and on their safe and enjoyable usage. When you are riding AZUB recumbent, your brakes are readily available and your gears where you expect them to be. Also, you can choose for a wide array of components that you’ve been used to on classical MTBs or trekking bikes.

At the end the Dura Ace bar end shifters are a standard in recumbent world and many riders like them and require them. That is why we have them in the offer as well. 

The security system (USS)
All models with under-seat steering are equipped with a technical system that lowers the risk of damaging handlebars in case of falling. The handlebars are connected to the USS steering axis through a special slipping system that allows for their turning in case of an extreme situation such as a fall from a bike. Thanks to this innovation, the handlebars turn inwards and don’t get damaged.

This system also allows you to set the most comfortable distance of the handlebars from the steering axis (about 2 cm) Therefore, it is a part of our IPS.

Indirect under-seat steering
All our recumbents can be equipped with under-seat steering (USS). From the very beginning of AZUB, we use the indirect steering or so called linkage system. It results in great maneuverability, tight turning circles, quicker response, and more comfortable riding position as well as better riding experience as the front fork is not too close to the seat. Another advantage of our system is the possibility of steering sensitivity adjustment. It is determined for experienced recumbent riders who can adjust how much the front wheel turn by turning the handlebar.