[Niloc]

Hey guys never ridden a 'bent but mildly curious. I've got a question: in city cycling, every now and then it is necessary, or at least very convenient to be able to get over a low obstacle like a curb. I'm not talking bunny hops or anything radical, just the typical manuever most anyone can pull on a DF: approach a curb from more-or-less a perpendicular angle, hop the front wheel over, unweight the rear wheel and let it follow. Seems to me like this would not be possible on most recumbents, especially with smaller wheels - comments?

-Colin

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[BlazingPedals]

I've never done itd, although I'm sure some front-suspended bents would be capable. If you follow vehicular laws, then the only time it is remotely required is when parking, in which case I either use a driveway cutout or get off at the curb. I don't like the concept of alternating between being a vehicle or a pedestrian on wheels, depending on my convenience. If you're going to drive your bicyle as a grown-up, then the question you should ask is, "what would a car do?"

[Niloc]

Well I guess strictly speaking, if you ride (not drive as you say) your bicycle like a car then you shouldn't need to hop too many curbs. I don't do it often but it does seem like now and then it makes things easier, to get from the road, around an obstacle or traffic snafu, to the store etc. you're trying to get to, or down an alley, or onto a bike path or what have you.

So I guess its not really physically possible to do, unless you just ram the curb with a front suspended 'bent? I.e. you can't pop a little wheelie or whatever to get the front wheel up?

-Colin

[PaPa]

Niloc,
After rising from a lounge chair, would you then hop over the coffee table on your way to the bathroom?

Every design has limitations, and bicycles are no exception. With the rider's legs horizontal, "bunny hopping" is a difficult feat on a 'bent - so most of us don't even try. A minor inconvenience imo, considering the superior comfort and speed 'bents usually offer over DF's. So,... "going around" becomes a pleasurable experience.

[Floyd]

DF or bent, jumping is not good for the spokes. I know at slow speed it is not as forceful but each 'jump' or whatever puts another nail in the coffin of the spoke that takes the 'vibration' of the jump. peace

[ppc]

Hey guys never ridden a 'bent but mildly curious. I've got a question: in city cycling, every now and then it is necessary, or at least very convenient to be able to get over a low obstacle like a curb. I'm not talking bunny hops or anything radical, just the typical manuever most anyone can pull on a DF: approach a curb from more-or-less a perpendicular angle, hop the front wheel over, unweight the rear wheel and let it follow. Seems to me like this would not be possible on most recumbents, especially with smaller wheels - comments?

Well, with a recumbent, you can't lift your weight off the bike temporarily like you can on an upright bike, so you can't hop and pass obstacles gracefully like with a MTB. With an unsprung recumbent, if the curb isn't too high, like 2" top, you can roll over it slowly. With a full suspension 26" wheel bent like the Condor, I've gone over much higher curbs. The technique is simple : gain enough speed to pass the obstacle without stalling, but not too much as to not pinch the tire, come to the obstacle at a right angle in granny gear, and right when you're making contact with it, push hard on the pedals to help the front wheel go over and accelerate to let the rear wheel do the same. Sure it's hard on the bike (spokes, fork and all) but the bike can take it, and who cares anyway, a bike is meant to have fun, not to be pampered :)

[Niloc]

OK thanks for the comments, I figured as much. Next time I get a chance I'm going to test ride a 'bent, I can see how the comfort factor would be great for lots of applications. I like the bikes I have now but after my last ride I'm thinking I need a new saddle or something.

-Colin

[Dr.Deltron]

If you got a Greenspeed GTR or GTO, you go up curbs by approaching at a 30-45 degree angle. Lean "outside" and lift the front wheel nearest the curb up onto the sidewalk. Then roll the rear wheel up the curb. Now lean "inside" to unweight the other front wheel and "hop" it up the curb. Takes some practice, but it's pretty easy. I've been practicing doing "wheelies" on my GTX and can now ride on two wheels for quite a distance. Lots of fun too!!

[mtb29]

I ride a mountain bike on singletrack and a bent on the road. The bike that has the comfort of the bent and the ablity to handle terrain that a mountain bike can hasn't been invented yet. I think the bents greatest shortcoming is that the riding position that makes it so comfortable prevents you from lifting the front end like an upright bike. You can also get the center of gravity low when you weight the pedals on an upright and do a trackstand with a little practice. Doing a trackstand on a recumbent compared to an upright is so hard for me that I have given up trying. All bikes have their strengths and limitations, but all are enjoyable.

[jeff-o]

Hopping curbs like that on a recumbent is nigh impossible, as is trackstanding...