Recumbent - I want a headrest, any ideas?

Hey there guys,
I have an actionbent jetstream II understeering. I am coming to learn that I would really like to have a headrest on my bike, if people are going to yell at me, "suprise suprise, the fat man has a lazy bike", then I should indulge them shouldn't I? I saw that HPvelo and Greenspeed both sell headrests that I believe would work, but they are both about 200 dollars. Any ideas for a cheaper version? Homemades are welcome too.

I've seen a high-end superlight super-expensive neckrest somewhere that is essentially a 2 or 3"-wide curved carbon fiber blade with some foam glued on it, bolted to the seat. I think you could make something similar to that with a bent aluminium band, 2 bolts and some foam for very cheap.

If you want to buy a professionally-made headrest, the basic Optima headrest is comfortable and solid for only $75.

EDIT: the Optima headrest requires you to drill 2 10mm holes in the seat for the bolts, but given how the Actionbent seems constructed (padded leather seat?) I'm not sure this is possible.

Do you have the heavy vinyl foam seat, or the FRP seat?

The AB headrest is basically a piece of steel with a chuck of fabric-covered foam stuck on top. Go to the hardware store and pick up a piece of springy sheet metal, and some open-cell foam. Drill the appropriate holes in the metal for mounting, and glue the foam onto the metal. You can wrap the foam in fabric if you wish.

I'd recommend trying to make a neck rest, rather than a head rest, since it won't interfere with your helmet as much.

Hey there guys,
I have an actionbent jetstream II understeering. I am coming to learn that I would really like to have a headrest on my bike, if people are going to yell at me, "suprise suprise, the fat man has a lazy bike", then I should indulge them shouldn't I? I saw that HPvelo and Greenspeed both sell headrests that I believe would work, but they are both about 200 dollars. Any ideas for a cheaper version? Homemades are welcome too.

Call or email Randy or Steve at ActionBent, I am sure he has the ones that come with the FRP seat.

Joel

Hmmm...I guess a neck/headrest is a pretty simple beast isn't it? Well then, maybe I'll make my own.

I used PVC pipes. Lightweight and cheap. I zip-tied a little pillow onto the t-shaped piping and it is really comfortable.

Oooh, thats a good idea. Could you post a picture?

I also used PVC tubing. My cushioning was a short piece of orange pool noodle.

Ron

Sorry, I can't get the picture to send. It is larger than the forum allows. 8 mgbts. Basically, go to a hardware store and mess around with different couplings. I used two T couplings. One of them I sawed in half with a hack saw and attached it to my seat with hose clamps. I drilled holes in the other T on the upper end and used a couple large zip ties to attach a small pillow. Good luck.