20,000 mile Trip: What Bent Should I Buy?

[RecumbentNewbie]

Hey all-

I am purchasing my first bent and plan on doing a trip from Chicago to Vancouver and down to Texas and back to Chicago. I am 6'1" and weigh 160lbs. I will need to carry another 60lbs. of equipment because I will be camping out every night for 6 mos. I have a bad lower back, so I need something with maybe a lower seat angle. Also, I would like the option of attaching a full-front-fairing and a canvas (soft) top for inclement weather. I will be riding most on roads, but would like the option of riding on trails. I will be riding 50-75 miles/day, so I need something that is comfortable! I prefer a 2-wheeler b/c I would like to be able to ride narrow trails and push the bike into my camping spot (forest land mostly).
I know this is alot of requirements, but reliability and the ability to find parts (in the U.S. and Canada) is most important. Is there a bike for me?

Thanks,

RN

[jeff-o]

You'll probably want a trike... Get one with a strong steel frame, that uses standard components and tire sizes (20" and/or 26"). A fairing will be easier to attach to a trike, and the trike can carry more gear if configured properly. You could also tow a cargo trailer.

I'd also suggest doing research and reading up on other people who have attempted similar treks... learn from their experience and troubles.

And lasty, good luck! That's gonna be one crazy trip...

[EZ-SportAX Curt]

Hey Newbie, you may want to read up on some journals where people did trips simlar to that. I plan on doing a east to west trek myself in 2 or 3 years, good luck to ya.

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/

[BigAlMN]

Hey Newbie, you may want to read up on some journals where people did trips simlar to that.
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/

Excellent suggestion!

Newbie; remember all of us were newbies at some time. Just some of us stay that way longer than others. If you are planning a trek like that you will advance quickly!! Kudos to you.

There is a women, Heidi, from NC that has done some really 'crazy' journeys on a Trimuter BigWheel www.trimuter.com. It has held up for her on a cross-country and to Alaska and back to NC in the first year. The second year she did the Continental Divide down into Mexico and then back to NC again on the same bike. It is holding up well. That bike has all the solid components including the SRAM dual drive so that all the unusual terrains are more easily managed.

Good luck on your research - and yes, test ride, test ride, test ride. I personally did quite a bit of that testing process and did include a trip to test the Trimuter. I can now say that I am a proud owner of the BigWheel and have done some pretty good tours. Enjoying the solid feel of that trike and the touring ability.

[cyclezealot]

Not sure this is a problem. I toured in Oregon last July/August. Met a bent tourer type cyclist. Rode from northern New York state to almost Chicago on a bent.
Young rider. Had to quit at Chicago. His feet hurt so badly, he could not go another mile. Needed treatment. Because of the position of the pedals, he claimed riding a bent is more difficult because you are always pushing downwards on the pedals.
Is this a problem? He still remained a committed bent cyclist though.

[jeff-o]

Always pushing downwards? I'm not sure what that means in this case. Were his feet being pulled down by gravity, or was something wrong with his pedal technique? Maybe the cleats on his shoes (I assume he was using clipless pedals) were not adjusted properly.

[EZ-SportAX Curt]

You'll probably want a trike... Get one with a strong steel frame, that uses standard components and tire sizes (20" and/or 26"). A fairing will be easier to attach to a trike, and the trike can carry more gear if configured properly. You could also tow a cargo trailer.

I'd also suggest doing research and reading up on other people who have attempted similar treks... learn from their experience and troubles.

And lasty, good luck! That's gonna be one crazy trip...

I wouldn't even think of doing a trek like that on a trike, in some states you wouldn't have a 6 inch shoulder to ride on.

[cyclezealot]

Always pushing downwards? I'm not sure what that means in this case. Were his feet being pulled down by gravity, or was something wrong with his pedal technique? Maybe the cleats on his shoes (I assume he was using clipless pedals) were not adjusted properly.
Seems he said he suffered from like, hot foot. Nerves in his feet too stressed. Don't think he used clipless. I assumed he mean't you never can 'float' the way clipless riders do.

[jeff-o]

Ah, hotfoot is something else... Maybe his shoes were too tight. And, he should have been using clipless pedals...

[Beezodog]

I am purchasing my first bent and plan on doing a trip from Chicago to Vancouver and down to Texas and back to Chicago.
Wow! Sounds like a fun trip but lengthy. A classic LWB touring recumbent is what I would choose for a ride like this. As you mention you need a front fairing to shelter you from cold air at elevation and a comfortable seat.

I can think of at least three bikes that would serve you well:

Longibkes Slipstream
RANS Stratus
Easy Racers Tour Easy


All three (3) of these bikes are overbuilt for touring purposes. And I have owned all three at one time in the past. My preference is for the Tour Easy since it will handle fairings as well or better than the other two.

The Stratus has a cloth fairing that comes with those stocked with chopper style handlebars. It isn't very big and to my mind is not a replacement for the Zzipper fairings you often find on a Tour Easy. But it does offer a neat place to put small items like cookies and Power bars.

The Slipstream is an underseat steer bike with a full mesh seat. I has very precise steering characteristics and a very adjustable seat attachment system.

[RecumbentNewbie]

I just wanted to give a thanks to all those that replied. I will be taking the next couple months to heavily research recumbents (keeping in mind all your suggestions) and test ride them. All you brought up great ideas and oh yeah, YOU ROCK! I think somewhere there is good karma waiting around the corner for you.

[kodpeace]

I would also suggest that you pick up RCN (Recumbent Cycling News) for great discussions on the pros and cons of bents. I have a tour easy with a fairing and feel it provides good back support. Haven't gone out more than 2 days on it but I would take it on a long trip without hesitation. Arkel makes special touring bags for bents.

I got my bike at Rapid Transit on North Ave in Bucktown. They know their stuff and have always been friendly.

Lots o' luck.

[Dr.Deltron]

I wouldn't even think of doing a trek like that on a trike, in some states you wouldn't have a 6 inch shoulder to ride on.

2 Things;
...In my 10 years of riding Greenspeed trikes, I have come to notice that autos give me more room than when I ride 2 wheels.
...On a trike, you can ride OFF the shoulder without falling down! (unless there is a cliff)

and Greenspeeds were born in Australia and designed for the Outback. Perfect for the kind of trip you're planning. If I didn't think they were worthy, I wouldn't have two of them now. (I've owned over 40 recumbents)

Enjoy your adventure, whatever you ride.
Dr.D