The Return of a Classic
For those of you who have been the proud and loving owner of a Riccar Vibrance, Bernina, Evolution, Panasonic, Carpet Pro, Morse, or Sharp Vacuum, this machine should look familiar to you. Since the 1980’s, all of these machines have shared a particular design element that has given them a distinct advantage over their competitors. If you’re looking for a replacement to any of the machines listed above, read below to find out why Riccar has brought back a classic and built the Spirit of USA Manufacturing right-in.
Oh Where, Oh Where, Should the Wheels Go?
Starting with the original Panasonic Jet-Flo back in the 1980’s, Riccar, Bernina, Evolution, Sharp, and Panasonic all shared a similar shape. The bag chamber, handle, motor, and motor compartment are mounted inside of one vertical assembly. This vertical assembly rests on 2 wheels on the back and features a cleaning nozzle attached to the vertical housing on a pivot point. When the handle is reclined, the wheels disappear under the vacuum and the nozzle becomes free-floating.
This design does an absolutely amazing thing. It takes a 14lbs+ vacuum and makes it feel almost weightless. The majority of the weight is resting on the rear wheels, reducing the handle weight tremendously, and because of the powerful brushroll the vacuum feels “Self-propelled”, but without the weight and jerkiness of an actual self-propelled transmission like many other vacuums use.
This design was borrowed and tweaked by many manufacturers during its design tenure. The basic design proved to be extremely reliable, however depending upon manufacturer, other parts of the vacuum could cause headaches for the customers. Certain manufacturers had cord hooks and handles that would snap off, housings that were plastic on plastic and would deform with heat or heavy use, or a million little clips, snaps, and holders that would constantly snap off and wouldn’t affect the performance of the machine, but was still frustrating. Some brands were better than others, with Riccar and Panasonic being known for building the most robust options out there.
However even with these small nuisances, one thing was almost universal about this design: Customers LOVED them. Even in 2024, we have customers with Sharps, Panasonics, Bernina’s and Riccar’s that they purchased all the way back in the 90’s and have given them 2 decades of reliable service.
However
As these beloved manufacturers left the vacuum industry, first with Sharp, and then Bernina, and then Panasonic, Riccar was one of the few manufacturers still making a machine of this design. The machines by the now defunct manufacturer were essentially orphaned, with many proprietary parts becoming NLA and rendering major repairs practically impossible. As these companies exited the vacuum industry, Riccar stayed steady with producing the most refined version of this design in the industry, known as the Vibrance Series. Ranging in cost from $199 -$649, there was a model to fit every home and budget.
The Riccar Vibrance series was one of Riccar’s longest running product lines. Over the years various upgrades like HEPA Filtration, Lifetime Belts, Ergonomic Handles, More Powerful Motors, and Upgraded Attachments have been added, but the basic design remained the same. However in 2021, after the successful launch of the Riccar R25 Series (A Keystone Vacuum Favorite!), the Riccar Vibrance Series was finally retired. But that’s not the end of this story.
In Mid 2024, Riccar announced that after much kicking, screaming, and DEMANDING from dealers, the Riccar Vibrance series would be coming back. This time named the R21 Spirit, This machine shares the same platform as the previous Vibrance (and other machines mentioned) and was aimed at a specific part of the market that is seriously underserved.
Riccar manufacturers the amazing R10 Series of 9lbs vacuums. These vacuums are a customer favorite because of their insane cleaning power, durable design, and 9lbs design. However one thing these machines lack are on-board tools. Now many people do not mind this and prefer having the absolute lightest machine possible, but there existed a need for a lightweight, easy to push upright with tools. The R25 Series is relatively lightweight at only about 16lbs, and is extremely easy to push compared to many other vacuums on the market like Shark or Dyson. But when customers compared them to their now orphaned Sharps, Panasonics, Bernina’s, and Evolutions, they felt heavier and harder to maneuver. That’s where Riccar knew the R21 could shine again.
The R21 Spirit has been designed to be one of the easiest full-sized vacuums to push, pull, and maneuver around furniture. The redesigned nozzle housing has a lower profile and is lighter weight, reducing both the effort required to push the vacuum, but also the overall weight, making it easier to lift up and down the stairs. The nozzle also features a clear bumper that protects your vacuum and your furniture/baseboards from damage, and its clear color means that it won’t leave scuffs on light-colored baseboards.
Other upgrades include HEPA Filtration Disposable Bags and Filters, Metal Brushrolls w/ Replaceable Bristles, Upgraded Attachments, Longer Power Cords and a Flat to the Floor design for cleaning under low furniture. Best of all, the Riccar R21 Spirit is designed and assembled in St. James, Missouri. At only $449, the R21 Spirit is actually less expensive than many of the high-end Panasonic’s, Bernina’s ,and Sharp’s of their day, especially when adjusted with 20-years of inflation.
The Riccar R21 Spirit is the perfect replacement for Riccar Vibrances, Bernina, Evolution, Sharp, Simplicity and others. It’s ideal for homes with low-high pile carpeting, area rugs, pets, kids, and allergies. The R21 Spirit can be purchased by visiting our store or by clicking on the link below.
