Why Isn't This Bent Forum Busier?

[World Tour]

Hey folks,
We are the minority ay?

The road bike forum is always packed and very busy and I actually hate those kinds of bikes. They're so uncomfortable looking. They spend plenty on those bikes, so it's not like they can't afford a bent?

My Labent by Ladue ( http://www.radiks.net/~ladue/ ) is in transit at this moment. I'm thinking of getting a boat seat for it, like,

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/10001/-1/10001/73243/10001/10952/37/18

Could you let me know what you think? They have many choices. I don't need folding, but do like the molded plastic idea. And it's way better than I could make and cheaper than a recumbent seat. On a Labent by Ladue you sit up straighter than most. I like that.

Cheers,
Dan

[jeff-o]

Everyone's over at 'bentrider online. ;)

[bentrox!]

Why this forum isn't more active? Well, it's not a recumbent-specific site; other cycling topics dominate and the recumbent niche suffers from that. I always get more information from websites like bentrideronline or from various Yahoo groups where recumbents, or even specific types of recumbents are the only topic.

A plastic seat is not a good idea if you intend to sweat while riding.
That's why recumbent seats, whether mesh or rigid, typically have some provision for ventilation.
You may want to peruse the home-builder sites at WISIL or BROL for more feedback.

[megaman]

Why this forum isn't more active? Well, it's not a recumbent-specific site; other cycling topics dominate and the recumbent niche suffers from that. I always get more information from websites like bentrideronline or from various Yahoo groups where recumbents, or even specific types of recumbents are the only topic.

A plastic seat is not a good idea if you intend to sweat while riding.
That's why recumbent seats, whether mesh or rigid, typically have some provision for ventilation.
You may want to peruse the home-builder sites at WISIL or BROL for more feedback.

Yeah, that's about it. BROL is more specific. This site would be better if the bent forums were broken up more. Such as BROL does. But for me the ease of use of this site far surpasses BROL hands down.

A hard plastic seat without some provision for quite a bit of ventilation will get pretty sticky.

[BlazingPedals]

In addition to the sweating thing that Bentrox! mentioned, there's also the strength issue. A plastic boat seat will be flimsy by bent standards. The seatback will wiggle and bend, and eventually break. Also, the back on your bent seat should be tall enough to protect you from the seatpost, which the marine seat will not do.

[World Tour]

Thanks guys, I totally didn't even think about the sweating part. DOH!

What's WISIL?

[BlazingPedals]

WISIL HPVers. WISIL stands for the WISconsin-IL. You can get to them through http://recumbents.com .

[KrisPistofferson]

Because Spud McDoogle is gone away...never to return. :(

[sch]

Actually compared with 1-2yrs ago the average readership is about twice what it was.
Not that this is a lot, the Training and Nutrition forum has tripled or quadrupled in the same time frame, as have some other forums.
Steve

[geeklpc1985]

Well I would post more but my bent is my back-up bike at the momment. I can't get racks for it, and it's not made for commuting.

Super Geek

[PaPa]

Try CycleGenius (http://www.cyclegenius.com) for a complete seat. Last I looked, they were about $100-125. Nice looking and probably a tad lighter. Stick around... lots a warmth an wizdom here. PaPa's Toy (http://www.bikefanclub.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=1657&si=papa)

[beatle bailey]

Everyone's over at 'bentrider online. ;)


Yep, that's where the action is.

[World Tour]

I don't see any seats on Cycle Genius?

[PaPa]

I don't see any seats on Cycle Genius?Your right, I just visited their site and see the absents of the seat picture. Don't despair however. Send them an email or call'em and ask. I suggested Cycle Genius, because the seat looked quality, complete and was far-and-away the most reasonable priced for a "bolt-on". Take a look at the their completed bikes, because it'll likely be the same (web type) seat. Moving up the $ ladder, the EZ-1 seats typically run $150 and RANS seats are $250+. Speaking of which, there is an EZ seat on ebay right now, which is currently at $61. You can also build a very nice, simple web type if you have the resources. I'm not trying to discourage the boat seat - it is certainly your choice. In my opinion, I do think that its rigid "L" shape, construction and weight would be unsuitable. PaPa's Toy (http://www.bikefanclub.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=1657&si=papa)

[World Tour]

John from cycle genius replied and said the seats are $200. I asked him for a picture.

My problem is, I'm 6'6" the Labent was custom made, I weigh 225lbs. and those mesh seats look pretty flimsy to me. Don't you need a hard surface to push against while pedaling?

Thanks from a newbie. The Labent is supposed to be delivered this Thurs. Woohoo!

[PaPa]

John from cycle genius replied and said the seats are $200. I asked him for a picture.Ouch! When I was looking for seat about 6 months back, I did in fact call and John quoted me $110.
My problem is, I'm 6'6" the Labent was custom made, I weigh 225lbs. and those mesh seats look pretty flimsy to me. Don't you need a hard surface to push against while pedaling?Many builders (both heavy and light), ride web seats, and many production bents exit the factory with web type, OEM seats. Depending on what fabric you use, how it's laced and tensioned, seat back rigidity isn't a problem. If you can spring for a $30 condit tubing bender and a couple $2 sticks of .700" OD, electrical conduit, (both at your local hardware outlet) then have a friend or local welder either braze or TIG the pieces together. Take a peek at this link: http://www.ihpva.org/people/tstrike/building/seats.htm

[PaPa]

Dan, Here's a couple of more 'bent specific seat links:

http://www.gaerlan.com/bikeparts/parts/seats/seat.html

http://poweroncycling.com/RECUMBENT%20SEATS.htm

[World Tour]

I had an idea. I see this bottom part of the seat on many recumbents. It looks like a giant bicycle seat. How about ising it as the base and making my own backrest. The bottom part is under $30. And the backrest I could do myself.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/10001/-1/10001/50403/10001/10952/37/18

I can always sit on a towel.

[jeff-o]

I had an idea. I see this bottom part of the seat on many recumbents. It looks like a giant bicycle seat. How about ising it as the base and making my own backrest. The bottom part is under $30. And the backrest I could do myself.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/10001/-1/10001/50403/10001/10952/37/18

I can always sit on a towel.

Or you could go here (http://www.actionbent.com/Accessories.html) buy the seat, and be done with it. ;)

[Mars]

I had an idea. I see this bottom part of the seat on many recumbents. It looks like a giant bicycle seat. How about ising it as the base and making my own backrest. The bottom part is under $30. And the backrest I could do myself.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/10001/-1/10001/50403/10001/10952/37/18

I can always sit on a towel.


You'll be sorry. A regular bike seat is made with the assumption that a lot of your weight is going to be supported by your legs while pedalling. Even the cushy seats with the mesh backs have riders suffering from "recumbutt" sometimes.

Spend the extra money, being comfortable on the bike is a big reason to go bent in the first place.

[PaPa]

Or you could go here (http://www.actionbent.com/Accessories.html) buy the seat, and be done with it. ;)If your referring to this (http://store1.yimg.com/I/actionbent_1881_16499) seat, then IMO, it is not an good choice for a low BB bike.

Here's another source for a "big guy" budget seat: Complete seat, frame only, or parts: Recycled Recumbents (http://www.recycledrecumbent.com/Parts%20Page.htm)