Recumbent - Do 'bent riders get tired of people commenting?

Hi,

Just popping into this forum with a quick question. I returned to cycling this summer after a twenty year break, (I'm 54) and couldn't help but notice all the 'bents out there. I see two or three every ride. While they're not the bike for me I think they're fascinating!

When possible (like when stopped at a light, for instance) I nearly always make a quick positive comment like, "Neat bike!" but I've noticed that most of the time, the rider kind of blows me off. I've begun to think perhaps they get sick and tired of all the second glances or something (since 'bents are still unusual, IMHO), so they get tired of acknowledging a comment.

Is that it, or is there some kind of code that 'bent riders have which doesn't allow them to at least give a nod to a fellow cyclist?

(I swear I'm not a troll; this keeps happening to me and if I'm breaking some unspoken rule, I'll stop making a friendly comment to 'bent riders.)

Is that it, or is there some kind of code that 'bent riders have which doesn't allow them to at least give a nod to a fellow cyclist?

In all fairness, when I'm riding downtown, I must get about 10 remarks a minute, 3 being "Oooh, what's that bike", 3 "cool bike", 2 "don't fall asleep", 1 "Get a normal bike you dumb moron", and 1 idiot laughter (I also get the occasional horn honking followed by a thumb up). I usually resist shouting f*** you to the latter 2 so as to not give a bad image of recumbent riders, I'm so damn tired of the feeble "don't fall asleep" joke that I never answer, I ignore the "oh what's that bike" unless I'm stopped and the person really insists on knowing, and I politely nod at the "cool bikes" because, well, I'm riding and concentrating on traffic and I have other things to do.

On the road and on cycle paths, out of the stupid city, I mostly get positive comments. When it's just a passing comment, I nod and smile because there's not much else I can do. Often enough, a roadie comes up from behind me and asks me why that bike, and what the advantages/drawbacks are: I then slow down and we chit-chat amiably. Overall, out of town, I only get the good side of bents, and none of the crap idiotic city dwellers sometimes throw at me.

So when I ride in the city, I'm socially on the defensive. If you say "neat bike" to me at the red light, I'll acknowledge you politely but coldly because (1) I'm waiting for the green light and (2) I constantly expect something stupid to be said, so I'm not going to swing mood instantly. If you catch me in a small town or on the road, I'll be a lot more friendly and willing to engage a conversation if you so desire.

Try riding out of town, if you meet bent riders there, I bet they'll be a lot warmer to your comments. And also, don't give up: we hear it all the time, but it doesn't mean we're blase, we love people shouting "nice bike" :-)

Hi,

Just popping into this forum with a quick question. I returned to cycling this summer after a twenty year break, (I'm 54) and couldn't help but notice all the 'bents out there. I see two or three every ride. While they're not the bike for me I think they're fascinating!

When possible (like when stopped at a light, for instance) I nearly always make a quick positive comment like, "Neat bike!" but I've noticed that most of the time, the rider kind of blows me off. I've begun to think perhaps they get sick and tired of all the second glances or something (since 'bents are still unusual, IMHO), so they get tired of acknowledging a comment.

Is that it, or is there some kind of code that 'bent riders have which doesn't allow them to at least give a nod to a fellow cyclist?

(I swear I'm not a troll; this keeps happening to me and if I'm breaking some unspoken rule, I'll stop making a friendly comment to 'bent riders.)A positive comment is always welcome. But the fact is that we recumbentists have to put up with comments and questions, that are so common that you have to answer them ten times a day. Sometimes we meet "experts" on recumbents who tell us what a dangerous and awkward vehicle a recumbent is and that it should not be permitted. If I ask these experts if they have tried a recumbent the answer is usually no, but they have such an experience with bicycles in general that they know in advance what kind of bicycle a recumbent is. The truth is however that recumbents are so different that if you switch from a touring recumbent to a lowracer for example you will have to start all over again. In other words you can be an expert on your own recumbent and know practically nothing of the recumbent your neighbour is riding. My experience is that you know absolutely nothing of a bycycle until you have ridden it.

Thank you both for your thoughtful, eye-opening responses. I have learned something from what you wrote, and I think I got a glimpse of what it's like to ride "in your shoes." I appreciate what you've said. I think I'll confine myself to a friendly nod when the opportunity presents itself, and read nothing into any lack of response, if that's what happens. I can certainly appreciate how tiresome it can be to answer the same questions over and over again, particularly with people who've already formed their own unchangeable opinion.

Thanks again. Ride on!

Funny - I have the opposite experiences. I've never had anything but postitive comments. Of course, I think you give what you get - and I give a wave, smile, or good morning to anyone I see - cyclist, walker, jogger, hot chick, whoever! :)

Most times the roadies don't bother to acknowledge me back, but what difference does that make to me? I say hello to everyone, and that's who I am. If I get one back, great, if not, it's irrelevant to me.

Often I get people I've passed coming up to me and wanting to sit on my bike or wondering how fast I was going when I passed them. Leads to some good conversations.

Gary, my advice as someone who rides both uprights and bents is to keep doing what you do. A-holes exist and will do what they'll do.

A coworker takes it as a compliment when we tell him to "Get Bent" as he's cruising out of the parking lot.

I don't mind the positive comments, or the little kids who gawk in wonder. I try to at least say thanks to the positive comments, and wave at the kids. They love that. I don't have much time to stop and chat when I'm on the road, but if I'm sitting at a coffee place with my bike I really enjoy talking about it with anybody who is interested. And if you are short enough, I'll even let you ride it.

I don't know why you think a recumbent isn't for you. You said you are interested in them. So why not try one? I have a recumbent and a regular bike and I ride both. You don't have to ride one to the exclusion of another. I am even considering a trike so I can have 3 forms of human powered fun (4 if you count my hiking boots).

There are so many different kinds of recumbents, too, so if you had a bad experience with one before, don't think all are the same.

I don't know why you think a recumbent isn't for you. You said you are interested in them. So why not try one? I have a recumbent and a regular bike and I ride both. You don't have to ride one to the exclusion of another.

I'd love to try one some day. As for owning one, they appear to be out of my (financial) league for now.

I'd love to try one some day. As for owning one, they appear to be out of my (financial) league for now.

Well.... how much can you afford? You can get a brand-new trike for $1300, a recumbent for less than $700.

Well.... how much can you afford? You can get a brand-new trike for $1300, a recumbent for less than $700.

Well, I ride a $350 Treck mtb right now. I may upgrade one day, who knows? But this is interesting; it seems that every time I clicked on a link for a 'bent it was a couple of thousand dollars or more. Haven't found any of the under $700 models (not that I was looking, of course). Who makes those?

Nobody, but there are good used deals in that range, and I wouldn't hesitate about one of them. Also burley makes bents in the sub-1000 range.

Other than the fellow who kept pressing me with questions on a hard climb when I was out of breath, I like to be helpful and friendly.

Well, I ride a $350 Treck mtb right now. I may upgrade one day, who knows? But this is interesting; it seems that every time I clicked on a link for a 'bent it was a couple of thousand dollars or more. Haven't found any of the under $700 models (not that I was looking, of course). Who makes those?

www.actionbent.com

I live in/been to a lot of small towns and IMHO small townites are the rudest people in the country - particularly to anyone or anything that they have not seen before.

I didn't get alot of it on my MTB riding around but on my bent get some stupid remarks on occasion and goofy smiles that I almost always interpret as "Im hiding back my laughter" at you.

I have quickly become about the same as ppc in response. I respond cautiosly. It seems to be in most peoples nature to find the rediculousness in everything - so when I get that vibe I return it in spades.

I live in/been to a lot of small towns and IMHO small townites are the rudest people in the country - particularly to anyone or anything that they have not seen before.

Here in Europe, at least in France and Belgium where I've ridden bents, morons who make stupid comments about my bents tend to be urbanites between teenage years and about 35. The younger the stupider too. Little kids are usually cool, they laugh or genuinely marvel at the bikes, and older folks are either more discreet or wiser, or they may have heard of bents because they've started looking for cycling alternative to relieve their achy bits. In short, for city dwellers, stupidity and narrow-mindedness come full-force with puberty, and depart slowly as years pile up on their shoulders.

In the countryside however, in small towns and villages, folks tend to be simple, often older, and I find them looking at me passing just as they'd look at a Ferrari: it's different, they don't see it everyday, but they don't seem surprised, annoyed, amused or anything. They usually smile and simply say hello and wish me a nice ride, to which I'm happy to say thank you. I do feel they treat me better than the hordes of roadies who pass by everyday, and certainly a lot better than MTBers who come ruin their pastures trails and cattle paths. Countryside teens seem to be a lot more polite than their urban counterparts, and while they can make snide comments, especially when they hang around together out of boredom, they're nowhere as offensive.

I always like good comments about my bent. I try to acknowledge them, although it's not always possible. And I too pay a lot of attention to traffic so I may not say anything.
I've had only one negative comment about my bent and I've been riding one for over 3 years. It shocked me and I didn't respond cause it was so unusual.

Check out the Bacchetta Cafe.
Under 1000 bucks. Not cheap but the designer had influence on most of RANS bikes and all of Barcroft's current high end line.
This guy is so cool and just keeps quiet when BS is spewing all around him. A founder and pioeener of recumbent designers who is a one of the founders of Bacchetta the hated high racer corporation of some in the 'bent world.
Mark is a very cool guy. And his latest design for Bacchetta the Cafe shows what he has to offer. A Barcroft for under a thousand bucks.
Is this bike like an Aero or a Aero Carbon? No. But compared to anything from Rans or easyracers it is a very cool bike. And with a change in tires I know I can make the thing move...

Magilla Gorilla the original recumbent Gorilla

My favorite comments I hear when riding my ReBike are.

"That flag you have on your bike is really big and bright"
"That ReBike recumbent of yours is prettier than my Trek Madone SSL"
"That rusty old ReBike you ride is much faster than my expensive overpriced carbon Bachetta Aero"

5 years ago, when I first starting riding a bent, I got lots of questions and always positive comments. It got to be downright aggravating at times. Now, I get few comments as I think bents are more common where I ride and people are getting used to seeing them.

Encountering other bent riders? I have never, in 5 years of riding on a 70 mile long rail trail, had another bent rider exchange more than a quick wave while out riding. Whether I am on my bent or on my DF, they just aren't all that friendly. Most don't even wave or return a greeting. I always found this to be somewhat disappointing. All seem in a hurry or just detached from any social interaction out on the trail.

I can't say the same for DF riders-I've had many chats trailside (or even while riding by) with MTBers, roadies, and comfort bike riders. Whether this is just coincidence or some "bent defense" that has built up because of constant comments/questions, I don't know.

Is that it, or is there some kind of code that 'bent riders have which doesn't allow them to at least give a nod to a fellow cyclist?

No

Encountering other bent riders? I have never, in 5 years of riding on a 70 mile long rail trail, had another bent rider exchange more than a quick wave while out riding. Whether I am on my bent or on my DF, they just aren't all that friendly. Most don't even wave or return a greeting. I always found this to be somewhat disappointing. All seem in a hurry or just detached from any social interaction out on the trail.

I can't say the same for DF riders-I've had many chats trailside (or even while riding by) with MTBers, roadies, and comfort bike riders. Whether this is just coincidence or some "bent defense" that has built up because of constant comments/questions, I don't know.

It's obvious you don't ride in this neck of the woods. I've had numerous conversations with other bent riders while stopped. If they are going the other way, there is almost always at least a wave. I've had some come along side of me and chat for a few miles about our bents.
Sometimes that happens with DFers but it is only about once a year. Much more often it is "Nice Bike!" To that I just say thanks and continue on.

is there some kind of code that 'bent riders have which doesn't allow them to at least give a nod to a fellow cyclist?

When I am going about 65 mph down mountain switchbacks on my ReBike I do not have time to take my hands off the handlebar to wave HI.

When I ride on the bike path I wave HI. Everyone waves back and says "nice flag." The people that never wave back to me are the ones on recumbent high racers. Everyone else on regular bicycles is friendly and waves to me. The people that do not wave hello are usually called "racer wannabes". They ride expensive high racer recumbents and they have snobby attitudes.

Mooky

When I am going about 65 mph down mountain switchbacks on my ReBike I do not have time to take my hands off the handlebar to wave HI.

When I ride on the bike path I wave HI. Everyone waves back and says "nice flag." The people that never wave back to me are the ones on recumbent high racers. Everyone else on regular bicycles is friendly and waves to me. The people that do not wave hello are usually called "racer wannabes". They ride expensive high racer recumbents and they have snobby attitudes.

Mooky

Not here. You will always get a nod, or a wave and a ding, ding from me. Aero pilot. (expensive high racer).

Then you are a nice person like me. The Aero pilots I see on the road never wave hello. They must be mad at themselves for spending too much money on hype. Any cheap recumbent will go fast if a person spins the pedals.

Mooky

Not here. You will always get a nod, or a wave and a ding, ding from me. Aero pilot. (expensive high racer).

Then you are a nice person like me. The Aero pilots I see on the road never wave hello. They must be mad at themselves for spending too much money on hype. Any cheap recumbent will go fast if a person spins the pedals.

Mooky

I'm quite happy with the money I spent on the Aero. The bike performs, no hype. A cheap bike may perform good on the flats, but I like to climb, a lot. My typical 100 mile ride has a least 4,000 ft of climbing, sometimes 8,000 ft.

I have a cheap recumbent that I use for everyday errands, (a BikeE). I'm happy with that too, for what it's intended.

The bell is especially fun to ring at guys on nice road bikes as I pass them on a long climb. :D

I'm always friendly with all cyclists on the road, life's too short.

Haven't found any of the under $700 models (not that I was looking, of course). Who makes those?

I recently picked up for my wife a Sun EZ-3USX Trike(new) for around a $1000. She is definitely enjoying it, and gets lot of questions on the trike.

Mark

Back to the original topic. Where I live I meet alot of motor cycles. They often stare with curiousity and occasionally out in the country I'll give them the minimalist motorcyclist's wave when they pass the opposite way. That really seems to confuse them. One time a Harley rider on a chopper with ape hangers cruised up beside me (I ride an Action Bent Road Runner OSS, cool looking bike under $800 by the way). He slowed right down to get a good look and then pretended to pedal his Harley while he accelerated past me. Hardly any recumbents where I live, so I'm still a curiousity. Trying to be friendly while keeping my eyes on the road.

undefined I cannot go more then a few blcks without someone saying something like "wow", "neat bike", "let me ride it", and so on. I am often asked if I built it, or what kind of bike it is, and sometimes they can be lengthy discussions. I carry the bike dealer's biz card with me and I know I hand out 1 or 2 a day at least.
I think the most interesting reaction is the one where the adults clap thier hands, smile, wave, blow their horns, and just instantly revert to childhood. The reaction is so much so that I am looking for a dealer that will give me a commission for everyone I refer them. These are definitley a great attention getter whereever I go from both genders and young and old alike.

Hi,
When possible (like when stopped at a light, for instance) I nearly always make a quick positive comment like, "Neat bike!" but I've noticed that most of the time, the rider kind of blows me off. I've begun to think perhaps they get sick and tired of all the second glances or something (since 'bents are still unusual, IMHO), so they get tired of acknowledging a comment.

I always holler a friendly hello to roadies, tandems or bents coming
in the other direction on the opposite side of the street.

I did a 30 miler today and had to pass through Harvey Mudd College
campus in Claremont, CA. (mostly physics and electrical engineering majors.)

As I rode past a guy that was peddling his diamond frame I said hello and
then I ask him, "Hey, how is this for a geekmobile?" (I ride a Lightning Thunderbolt
among other rides) and he laughed out loud and said, cool man!

I find that hot. rich babes in convertibles, ten year old kids and old men find the bike
most fascinating. I live for the grins from the rich babes in the convertibles. :beer:

Ned Goudy
Glendora, CA. USA
Easy Racer EZ1-SC http://www.easyracers.com/ez_1_sc.htm
Lightning Thunderbolt http://www.lightningbikes.com/thunderbolt.htm

I'll second the suggestion for the Bacchetta Cafe. I can't compare it to other recumbents, but I haven't ridden others because I haven't seen features I think I would prefer yet (possible exception for Trike facination). This is a quality machine that is a pleasure to ride. I've taken it on Rail Trails for 30 miles and a 21 mile each way commute. I ride both DF & Bents, and always find myself looking forward to the Bent rides.

When starting I didn't always respond to people because I was focused on "learning" to ride (it took me about 25 miles to really get used to it). Now I wave to every bike I see, and actually have the opposite experience from the thread starter. I really feel like Roadies think Bents are beneath them. While on country roads, I've had maybe two acknowledgements out of maybe 20 times that I waved. I have to admit I was surprised. Many moons ago I rode motorcycles exclusively, and we always waved to each other, no matter how crappy we thought the other guy's bike was.

undefinedundefined

You are not alone in the world of verbalization of mental giants..

When the price of fuel was above $3.oo I had road warriors playing

that sad song of "OUtta my way"..quite often.

what's a bike rider to do...Bent or Wedgie?

dogbitteneear

nevertheless it was others who said I like your bke.

Check out the Bacchetta Cafe.
Under 1000 bucks. Not cheap but the designer had influence on most of RANS bikes and all of Barcroft's current high end line.
This guy is so cool and just keeps quiet when BS is spewing all around him. A founder and pioeener of recumbent designers who is a one of the founders of Bacchetta the hated high racer corporation of some in the 'bent world.
Mark is a very cool guy. And his latest design for Bacchetta the Cafe shows what he has to offer. A Barcroft for under a thousand bucks.
Is this bike like an Aero or a Aero Carbon? No. But compared to anything from Rans or easyracers it is a very cool bike. And with a change in tires I know I can make the thing move...

Magilla Gorilla the original recumbent Gorilla

Do you have the Cafe? If so, how do you like it? I saw that on the Bacchetta site and am very curious about it. I hope to find one to test ride soon.

One comment blew me away. The guy asked why I would buy a bike for its looks. (Sun EZ Sport). He couldn't believe I bought it for the comfort. After he sat on it, he still didn't get it. Hard head, I guess. Some people just don't want to hear. bk

I like positive comments, waves, thumbs up, and always return a greeting. Then there's the folks, usually older, who see you, then turn away like they are embarrassed as if you were in a wheel chair or had a terminal illness. The one question I can not abide is, "How much did you pay for that?" When it's the first words out of their mouths, I usually just start pedaling faster.

I live where most folks have never seen a recumbent, and most of the comments are 'did you build it yourself' or something hilarious like 'do a wheelie!', but I popped into the local supermarket recently and as I was leaving and collecting my bike, I saw this elderly gentleman checking it out. I made eye contact, waiting for the usual comment, but was very surprised when he said '2005 model?' :)

The one question I can not abide is, "How much did you pay for that?" When it's the first words out of their mouths, I usually just start pedaling faster.

Sometimes it irritates me too. Usually I'll tell them what it costs and then say it's worth every penny.

It's so odd that the same questions and stares are repeated over and over across the country and even across the world. Here's some more:

>did you MAKE that?
>how do you pedal?
>how much did it cost?
>it's a lazy bike!
>that's cheating!
>were you in an accident?
>what happened to your bike?
>wake up!
>have you ever fallen asleep riding that?

...and my favorite?
"COOL BIKE!"

I ride a 05 Burley Sandpoint, it is a good starting point if you want to get into recumbents. I used to be a diehard diamond frame rider until I got curious and bought the Burley sight unseen. Now I will never ride another diamond frame again, it has me spoiled. You can pack tons of stuff on it with racks, it is super comfy and I can usually stay ahead of my friends on diamond frames, also it climbs pretty good for a 38lb bike. Recumbents allow you to experiance cycling the way it was ment to be, comfortable and head on. As for comments, the one I hear the most is, "where did you get you bike from?" so I tell them because there aren't many recumbents around here.

When they ask "how much did you pay for that?" The answer is always, "If you have to ask, you can't afford it", with a big grin, unless you are going to spend the time in a longer conversation to explain the rationale. In my experience the people who ask that question ride those Wal-Mart Yugobikes so they won't get it anyway. Another, more serious answer would be, "enough that I actually feel the need to get out and ride it instead of storing it in my garage."

When they ask "how much did you pay for that?" The answer is always, "If you have to ask, you can't afford it"

I highly discourage anyone from using that line. Last time I tried it, the guy angrily responded "what? you think I'm too poor to buy this? you seem to need a lesson in politeness.", and I almost got a punch in the face.

Many serious cyclists I chat with about the bike end up asking about the price after a while, but those who ask rightaway out of the blue, they either look like they're trying to decide if it's worth stealing it from you, or they truly look too poor and/or too dumb to afford it and your witty answer will just fly right above their heads and p... them off.

What I do now is answer that I made it myself, or I make up some price that's not too low to sound phony, and not too high to give suspicious-looking characters an incentive to jump me and steal the bike.

Apparently, there are some amazing rumors out there about the price of recumbents. When I told my in-laws (non-cyclists) that I was shopping for one, they immediately said, "Wow! Aren't those EXPENSIVE?" and began talking about how their friend so-and-so was going to buy one but didn't because they all cost $8000 or $11,000 or some outrageous price. I had to explain that many "regular" bikes cost several thousand dollars, and that an entry-level bent can be had for a mere $500 or so. That calmed them down, but later, if the subject came up again, we had to go through the whole conversation again. (Sigh!)

The one question I can not abide is, "How much did you pay for that?" When it's the first words out of their mouths, I usually just start pedaling faster.

When ever anyone is rude enough to ask me what I paid for my bike I just tell them, "425 tanks of gas." and let them do the math. It keeps them busy for a while so I can get away from them.

OK...so I exagerated a little. It would only be about 35 tanks. 425 gallons of gas....sorry.

I'd love to try one some day. As for owning one, they appear to be out of my (financial) league for now.


I hear ya. I bought my Trek 800 MTB from a pawn shop for $60. Put about $160 worth of upgrades and had a good bike.

But, I'm determined to have a bent. I'm tired of my bumm being sore. I guess we all have different points at which we say enough is enough.

OK...so I exagerated a little. It would only be about 35 tanks. 425 gallons of gas....sorry.Give it a few more years and you'll be right first time ;)

I got stopped by a guy today in a restaraunt. He had seen my highracer out front and had sought me out for info. He obviously had already spent time looking at it because he commented on its road components (DuraAce) and narrow 650c wheels and tires. He seemed pretty knowledgeable about bikes in general and never once asked how much it cost. I wish I could have spent more time talking to him as he may have been a future convert.

I use Huffys as a monetary unit. At about $150 USD for a top-of-the-line Huffy, my V-Rex was about ten Huffys when I got it in '97. The wheelset alone on my Baron cost two Huffys; and it's not even a fancy wheelset.

I got stopped by a guy today in a restaraunt. He had seen my highracer out front and had sought me out for info. He obviously had already spent time looking at it because he commented on its road components (DuraAce) and narrow 650c wheels and tires. He seemed pretty knowledgeable about bikes in general and never once asked how much it cost. I wish I could have spent more time talking to him as he may have been a future convert.


Similar thing happened to me today. The roadies I passed saw me at Burger King after the ride and commented on my fixed gear ReBike. One of them wants to buy a ReBike fixie to be fast.

Mooky