Recumbent bikes

“You TT bikers out there, do any of you use a recumbent bike? I'm thinking of buying a tadpole style trike (two wheels in front, one in back), specifically a Whizwheel Terratrike. Catrikes also look nice. Do any of you have any experience with these or any other kind of recumbent? When you ride, do you pass recumbents like they are turtles, or do they generally keep up a decent pace? They weigh in the low 30 pounds, so they are a bit heavy, but I'm thinking the seat and body position will add comfort to the ride, and the low body position will make it fun.”

“There are a ton of sites on the web specifically for "bents" They are supposed to be excellent. I am not sure about the trike set up but I have seen a lot of write ups on them. One great thing about them is the climbing capability is awesome since such a low gear ratio is possible. The wheel diametrs being so small they can climb just about anything. As far as speed is concerned it should say something that the all the world records in HPV annuls are held by "bents" and the International Bicycle Racing Association bans the use of bents in competition as giving unfair advantage.

I have never ridden one but I would love to give it a try. They can take some getting used. Why a trike set up just out of curiosity? I would think it would be advisable to buy from a good bike shop and get the chance to ride a model first.”

“don't own one but i have ridden in them. all things considered they are outstanding and lots of fun. for sure it's a try it before you buy it proposition. it's not for everyone, but they are very comfortable and relaxed to ride... and speed is not a factor! you can book on one of the things and i think they got banned along with the superman and all that truck. that said, from an endurance perspective you can go farther, longer, etc. i would say if you are open minded, willing to drop some cash, and can get used to a different posture it's worth a shot to satisfy your curiosity.”

“IEach of the different set ups ride differently. The tad pole is a very short wheel base. There are several other styles that impact not only the posture but the feel and handling of the bike. The designs are every bit as technical as the uprights and so the feel can be just as different. Some are built for over the road touring (long wheel base) some are built for hot dogging (short wheel base), The tadpole design worries me slightly because of the elevated way the pedals are out in front of the wheels. It seems they would be more vulnerable in a crash situation.

The other thing that will take some getting used to is the visibility both no the riders part and the motorists. You are not up as high. Most bent riders I have seen consider a flag a must for road work.”

“I'm looking at it due to problems with my back, plus it would be more stable on icy or wet roads to ride the 3 miles to work. I could barely walk a year ago, and was looking back surgery in the eye, but I gradually got better, and had a decent backpacking season. For a long time I was afraid to get on my road bike for fear of aggravating the back problem due to the bent forward posture. It worked out OK, but I'm afraid if I crashed and broke a hip or shoulder, it will set me back physically a whole bunch.

The problem with buying locally is that no shops carry either catrike or terratrike in Boise. I test rode one in San Deigo when visiting there, but its hard to tell when driving around a parking lot.

I never thought about the small wheels being good for climbing hills, but it makes sense. Doesn't that mean they are also low geared when on the flat, or do they compensate by having a larger gear wheel on the cranks?

More on the world records held by recumbents at this site! http://patentpending.blogs.com/patent_pending_blog/2005/03/fastest_bike_in.html

other bike technology posts:

http://patentpending.blogs.com/patent_pending_blog/bicycle_technology/index.html”

“idaho bob... I understand the stability issues. An added wrinkle is that a bent has a much lower center of gravity ansd so is more stable to start with. I am not trying to dis on the trike. I don't know enuf about the differences to do that. My understanding is the bent is stable than an upright in any configuration in terms of falling going around corners and that kind of thing. Just to add to the thought process.”

“I had a recumbant hypercycle in the mid 80's- it was great to ride- front wheel was 12-13" and a standard rear wheel. Rode the catskills on it and all the fundraisers for MS as well. I used a tall flag when on the streets so peoeple could see me!”

“Rev, are you saying I should look into two wheel 'bents as well as trikes? Now of those there seem to be a zillion designs and brands.”

“Isaho bob..... I am not necessarily saying that. If you are sure you want the trike, then I have nothing against that choice. LikeI say I don't know enuf about them to make a comparison. Here is what I do know. The steering on a bent is very different than on an upright. You steer with body movement and leaning more than most people do on an upright. So the idea of the steering mechanism being underneath and not a "handlebar" set up can seem a little strange. It is one of the things that takes adjustment. A Trike would not be as responsive that way, it would seem to me. The configuration of the two wheelers are more varied than a trike. I don't think I have seen a long wheelbase trike because of the steering issues I would think. I am basically a touring rider. I would want a set up geared and outfitter for distance and endurance. The long wheelbases track straighter. They are not as responsive. like everything else it is a matter of finding the best match for what you want. Certainly winter riding is a consideration. I am just relating to you the questions and concerns that have gone through my mind as I have wishlisted a bent in my mind.”

“My recumbant had the front wheel under the seat with handlebars directly aside. Like a standard fork on an upright. Arms down natural with a small wheelbase frame extended out with the crankshaft out in front.
It rode like a dream - "look where you are going" and a perfect follow.”

“http://home.mindspring.com/~kb7mxu/index.htm

Just to show how little I really know, a cornucopia of recumbent trikes in all sorts of shapes, designs and configurations. Homebuilt and commercial.”

“



Got mine in March of this year ,it`s a life saver.Thanks to it I can still ride.Slight thoraisic kyphosis and a car accident have made it hard to ride more than 26 miles on my diamond frame with out pain and discomfort,I can ride the "bent " for hours with no discomfort.



It`s fast and comfortable,and actually climbs hills well.I`m pleased to have it as it keeps me cycling.

Oh and for the record I have no flowing white beard,no pot belly and I have all my teeth....I do have a shaved head and goatee though.....
last edited: 12/27/07 5:09:56 AM”

“Paddles, what brand and model is that? You like having the steering high better than under the seat?”

“Idaho bob it`s a Ez-rider 'racer" as for the handle bars they don`t bother me at all,I`ve never tried the below the seat handle bars.”

“All the bikes on their site now are of the long wheel base style. Are there any disadvantages to your short wheelbase style? I'm wondering why they discontinued that style, but offer 10 long wheelbase styles?

After looking at the link to recumbent makers above, I have to wonder if the choice could be narrowed down to a handful of makers noted for quality products? What brand would you recommend, and would it be short or long wheelbase 2 wheeler, or tadpole trike?”

“IMO that is rather like asking which would be better... tarp tent, regular tent or hammock. hehehe”

“I must admit I never quite got into the "bike nut" scene, with all the gear talk and bright yellow spandex, so I'm real hesitant to even start looking into bike internet forums.

My wife gets sore back and butt, and has no tolerance for stopping on tippy toes or riding in traffic-- she sticks pretty strictly to rail trails if on a bike, so I'm wondering if this kind of bike that's not quite a recumbent might be good: http://www.day6bicycles.com/dream21.html
last edited: 12/27/07 12:42:38 PM”

“ki0eh my first impression is the leg positioning is all wrong for effective power while pedaling. It reminds me of the position of the old Schwinn "Sting Ray" sans the banana seat. They looked "cool" but if I remember correctly they did not ride particularly well. I could be wrong as this is just a first thought and I am not an ergonomic engineer. I sure wouldn't want to buy one unless I could ride it first.”

“I suppose that's why they also have the "Dream E" with bionx electric drive (she might want that too :) )”

“idahobob.. Found this website for you,hope it`ll be able to answer some of your questions.



http://www.bentrideronline.com/Buyer's%20Guide/Choosing%20the%20right%20bent.htm”

“wow, that is a great source, with reviews, blogs, and articles. Now I won;t get any work done today. Thanks! AFter reading some more, I'm still thinking catrike and whizwheels are solid brands who will be around in 10 years.”

“1300.00 here:

http://www.poweroncycling.com/USED%20RECUMBENTS.htm





by the way, they have a used 2005 Whiz Wheels for sale..........
last edited: 12/28/07 8:54:26 AM”

“That Rhoades Car is advertised in our rural electric co-op newsletter. Just the place to find trend-setters... (I bet that frame ain't aluminum either!)”

“4W1P
75 lbs.”

“It's not a lightweight that's for sure... but the gearing is awesome. You could pull stumps with that thing.”

“Now all we need is the bike that turns into a kayak, that would be a big hit on Pine Creek!”

“One thing I wonder about with a three or four wheel bike, is how do you fit safely on the side of the road with it? With a regular bike cars zoom by missing you by inches. I'd be nervous on the side of the road with something that wide.
last edited: 12/28/07 6:17:29 PM”

“Move to NY or MD where the roads have shoulders. :)

My wife only does rail-trails, but another problem with us considering this stuff is how to move it around, even the full size crew cab pickup has its limits!”