Recumbent - My first bent ride!

Well, I took everyone's advice and did some actual test rides over Christmas break. It's true: reading about bents online is no substitute for actually trying them out. Anyway, after a couple of hours of riding different bikes, here's what I learned:

1.) SWB's are not as hard to ride as I thought. I initially felt kind of intimidated by them, but I only fell off twice, mainly (I think) because I was trying to pedal and make a sharp turn at the same time and my knees got tangled in the handlebars. If I can learn a few basic techniques, such as steering, I really think I might be able to learn to ride an SWB.

2.) Falling off a bent isn't as bad as falling off a DF. I know this is conventional wisdom, but I was pleased to find that it's true. It's still embarrassing, but less painful. I was barely bleeding after two falls, whereas the last time I fell off my MTB, I bled for some time. Also, because I landed on my legs and not my face, I didn't get any gravel in my teeth. This is a real improvement.

3.) The EZ-1 is not as ugly in real life as it is online. I'm not sure why this is. I even kind of liked it.

4.) Trikes are awesome.

Of course, I'll need some more experience and longer rides before I can tell which bent to buy. But I just wanted to say thanks for the advice and encouragement I've received here on the Recumbent forum. This has really been fun, so far.

I'm glad to hear the first session went well. :D Keep us posted regarding your further adventures.

Congrats! There's nothing like your first ride on a bent. Let us know what you chose.

Well, I took everyone's advice and did some actual test rides over Christmas break. It's true: reading about bents online is no substitute for actually trying them out. Anyway, after a couple of hours of riding different bikes, here's what I learned:

2.) Falling off a bent isn't as bad as falling off a DF. I know this is conventional wisdom, but I was pleased to find that it's true. It's still embarrassing, but less painful. I was barely bleeding after two falls, whereas the last time I fell off my MTB, I bled for some time. Also, because I landed on my legs and not my face, I didn't get any gravel in my teeth. This is a real improvement.

4.) Trikes are awesome.

This has really been fun, so far.

Yeah, long test rides are the best thing. And yes, they are a blast.

I have a EZ Sport, only fallen off once. But, I learned that I'll never make that mistake again. Snow and ice don't work for me.

You betcha trikes are awesome! So awesome in fact I recently bought me one. I just can't wait until warmer weather.

I have a EZ Sport, only fallen off once. But, I learned that I'll never make that mistake again. Snow and ice don't work for me.

You betcha trikes are awesome! So awesome in fact I recently bought me one. I just can't wait until warmer weather.

One of the nice things about North Carolina is that the weather never gets really cold. We occasionally get snow and ice, but it always melts in a day or two. And my wife got me some Under Armor for Christmas, so I'm set!

I'm hoping to try an EZ Sport at some point. I liked the EZ-1, which seemed easier to ride than the SWB's I tried (i.e., I didn't fall off of it). But as I said in the OP, I was surprised to find that the SWB's weren't as hard as I had expected. So, instead of simplifying my choices, my test rides complicated them!

Al, I am not recommending this approach to you or anyone else, but, I used the internet to read up on recumbents for a few months and then ordered an ActionBent Jetstream III sight unseen, never was on any type of recumbent. I based my decision on what many others have written on this site, BROL and other pages. I have found that it is not too hard to figure out who is blowing smoke and whose opinions make sense. You also have to read what others write knowing what your own capabilities are. Anyway, I didn't feel it was the kind of decision that could go too far wrong :)

We are in the middle of winter now so my first ride was just this week. I waited for a day when the street was relatively dry and started on the incline of my driveway. I was lucky to make the turn at the bottom of the drive and rode along the street for less that half a click, U-turn and back home. I did not fall off, I had lots of huge wobbles and learned a few things. You cannot look behind you, a mirror will be a must, at least without some practice, it is hard to see and avoid potholes and other obstructions and lastly, the 20 kph breeze when I turned for home was like nothing, I just slipped through it with very little extra effort. All in all a very encouraging first ride and now I will have to wait for spring for the real fun to begin.

Good luck with your search, you are probably on the right track :D

Dave--thanks for your comments. You've confirmed some of what I've been thinking.



Al, I am not recommending this approach to you or anyone else, but, I used the internet to read up on recumbents for a few months and then ordered an ActionBent Jetstream III sight unseen, never was on any type of recumbent. I based my decision on what many others have written on this site, BROL and other pages. I have found that it is not too hard to figure out who is blowing smoke and whose opinions make sense. You also have to read what others write knowing what your own capabilities are. Anyway, I didn't feel it was the kind of decision that could go too far wrong :)

The thing that worries me about ActionBent is that it's hard to test ride one. I have this vague fear that I'd buy one and then find out that I just couldn't get the hang of riding it. But yeah, for the price, it would be hard to go wrong--and it's good to know that you were able to ride yours right away.



. . . and lastly, the 20 kph breeze when I turned for home was like nothing, I just slipped through it with very little extra effort.

This is also good to know. One of the reasons I want a bent is to have a more aerodynamic ride. Right now, I'm riding a very upright MTB, and my body is like a sail. In fact, I sometimes wonder if I should try tacking into headwinds--but oncoming motorists would probably object :)

Congrats, Mild Al! I look forward to test riding some bents myself this Spring. I'm holding off till I lose some pounds, and I'll treat myself for the weight loss by going with my first 'bent! :D

I plan to test-ride a variety of SWB, CLWB, LWB, and lowracer models before I decide. I may have to travel out-of-state to find the shops I need, but that's OK. If 2K6 is as lucrative a year for me as 2K5 has been, I'll just ride my new recumbent home from wherever I buy!

Happy New Year!

I plan to test-ride a variety of SWB, CLWB, LWB, and lowracer models before I decide.

That's a good idea. I was pretty much convinced that I wanted a CLWB until I tried the SWB's. Now I'm wondering . . .

Also, don't forget the trikes! I'll probably never be able to afford one, but the test ride was a total blast.

Savor the search! :)

Happy New Year!

Also, don't forget the trikes! I'll probably never be able to afford one, but the test ride was a total blast.

Savor the search! :)

Happy New Year!

I wasn't really sure I could afford one either. But thinking about it I came to this, if I can't afford something I really want then I'm not thinking hard enough for a way to afford it.