What do you like about "your" bent?

[CATZ]

Hi All,

I haven't ridden a bike, seriously, for 40 years (before deraileurs and wedgies). Recently, my son-in-law mentioned that he'd like to have a bent someday.

I started looking them over on the Net and decided I'd build one .... or two ... or three. I'll build a LWB for a start and then a trike. ... I think. (Maybe, I'll ride again. ??? Right now, "It's in the build".)

I've gathered a number of used mountain bikes for parts. I've started to lay things out for my first LWB. It'll have a 20" front and 26" rear.

I was wondering what "works best" or "what is liked best", about your bent? Is the crank better, if it's a little lower than the hips? A little or a lot? Is the seat better on top of the bike or "down in it" (lower C.G.)? Is USS or OSS better liked? Maybe, "what you don't like" would be easier.

Thanks, Tom

[JenM]

Hmmm . . . if I had a choice, my feet wouldn't be the farthest things sticking out on my trike . . . for safety. I guess I like that aspect of the Sun EZ3-there's a wheel in the back and two wheels out front and your feet go somewhere in the middle.

[Slo Joe Recumbo]

Hi All,

I haven't ridden a bike, seriously, for 40 years (before deraileurs and wedgies). Recently, my son-in-law mentioned that he'd like to have a bent someday. I started looking them over on the Net and decided I'd build one .... or two ... or three. I'll build a LWB for a start and then a trike. ... I think. (Maybe, I'll ride again. ??? Right now, "It's in the build".) I've gathered a number of used mountain bikes for parts. I've started to lay things out for my first LWB. It'll have a 20" front and 26" rear.

I was wondering what "works best" or "what is liked best", about your bent? Is the crank better, if it's a little lower than the hips? A little or a lot? Is the seat better on top of the bike or "down in it" (lower C.G.)? Is USS or OSS better liked? Maybe, "what you don't like" would be easier.

Thanks, Tom

Tom,

Waaaaaaaaay too many variables with bents. Suggest you test ride the various configurations and find what you like best and build one of dem. The only thing I don't like about bents, is that I don't have enough of them :D

On a more serious note, having test ridden just about everything, I don't like USS because I like OSS "more better". And I don't like the ultra reclined position of low racers or the way I feel "exposed" while on the road, but that's a myth. If there's a drunken driver behind the wheel it doesn't matter what you're riding, wearing or what your religeous beliefs are: You're in harm's way.

[jeff-o]

Just try to copy the most popular bents available right now. The designs are popular for a reason, therefore they must be good designs. Work from those and see what you come up with.

Then send me the plans so that I can build one too. ;) I suppose I'll have to learn to weld first, though.

[Floyd]

Good luck on your build. I play a little with building. more'n 20 years ago i made a bent when I saw one in Popular Mechanics Magazine. It is a long wheelbase with the seat between wheels. the seat is actually an old cast iron tractor seat [i was a farm boy] so the thing is heavier than a bad marriage. Like one poster said look for what you like and go for it. peace

[Wheel Doctor]

I have several bents. I like em' for different reasons. Pick one that suits your needs best and is of course comfortable.

[scarry]

My Aero is super fast. That I like. Fits me like a glove too.

My only complant is that it is a little rough on bad pavement.

[fofa]

I truly love my LWB. Bout the only things that bug me is the slight counter steer needed during pedaling (think of the bars swingin back and forth a tad to counter act the pedaling torque). The turning radius (but heck, it is 7 feet long), and slow speed stability (not much of an issue after about 10 mins on it the first couple times). One thing that bugs me is the front tire will slip out from under me on extremly slick (like mud covered) pavement. Wet is not an issue, only time I had that happen was when I was riding on a section of pavement where it had been recently flooded and there was about 1/4-1/2 inch of wet clay type mud on the road. I had to walk the bike past the mud.