Thanks Phil, that all makes sense, I hadn't thought about the ride quality.
I've emailed them to ask what components they use. Still think I'll be sampling alternatives at D-tek and London Recumbents at some point though!
[edit] a charming Italian lady emailed me back, saying they concentrate on frame quality and strength, so to make it cheap they use no-name 'Chinese' components.
So the running gear might be made of cheese. Cheap in, cheap out!