I've spent a few days scanning this forum about recumbents and trying to get an edcuation of sorts on the pros/cons of 'bents. The forum has been great, although I'm still forced to ask a seemingly tired old set of questions anyway. Sorry.

The variations of 'bents is astonishing and I'm not sure which type to be looking at. The Facts: 1. I have a bad lower back and bad neck and need a 'bent style that will accomodate such injuries as to ride pain-free (or as painless as possible). 2. I am relatively poor and must look at lower end bikes. (this should maybe be fact number one) 3. I'm used to road bike weight and speed and would like a comparable 'bent model if they exist in the lower price ranges. 4. I'm not planning on touring since I can only last an hour average on a road bike, though this could change.

I see all kinds of 'bent debates. Whether certain configurations cause "recumbent butt" or sore feet & knees, low riders vs. high riders, benefits of 26 vs 20 tires, plus the typical componentry quality debates. While I'm interested in these things, ultimately I need a recommendation for a fast ride that can accomodate a "clydesdale" with back troubles.

Best I can gather from those in the forums with back issues is that they seemed to be best satisfied with the SWB-styles with a seat style like...well... let's just say for example, the ActionBent Jet Steam 2 style 'bent. I know that ultimately I have to go ride them and get the best fit and so forth, so I'm not trying to forego that part of the process - but I don't want to waste time trying out models that ultimately will be a poor choice for my condition.

Also, under vs. over steering... pros, cons?

Thanks for reading through my recycled questions and for exercising the patience to answer them yet again.

drummer: I will get this started with my two cents; Actually I got started with recumbents back in the seventies (that is 1970 plus) when I saw the "Ground Hugger" in popular mechanics. I made my version of it and then made a trike to follow up. But on to your questions. I too was using a skimpy budget to go the recumbent route so had patience and got a used one. In 2001 bought a long wheel base (Linear) with over seat steering. it is very comfortable like a luxury car.. recently I bought a short wheel base (Lightning p-38) and it is almost as comfortable but is more sports car in comparison. Guess what I am saying is for me the LWB is the way to go for comfort. Cannot speak for the compact long wheel base. That is my 25 words or less answer to your ??? peace el padre

...so I'm not trying to forego that part of the process - but I don't want to waste time trying out models that ultimately will be a poor choice for my condition.

Test rides are never wasted time. You should still test ride every different model you can, regardless of if it's in/out of your price range or slow/fast. How else will you discover what style you like best or what you get for your money?

If you need to spend as litle $$ as possible, I'd look at a used v-rex or rocket as my first choice. Possibly a lightning phantom, or if you're really handy with tools, an actionbent.

For comfort you may want to check into longer wheelbase recumbents such as the burley koosah.

Bottom line is that you need to try as many as you can first.

...Bottom line is that you need to try as many as you can first.

And therein lies the rub... Finding a bike shop that even CARRIES a recumbent line at all is almost impossible unless you're in a REALLY urban area. Finding a bike shop that carries MULTIPLE recumbent lines means out-of-state travel, hotel & flight expense, and shipping back to your burg.

In short, although test riding is mandatory (PARTICULARLY for recumbents), being able to do it is almost impossible. I don't have the solution to this, but recognize it as profound truth.

I'm blessed with a job that allows me to travel. Over the next few years, I'll be stopping at every major city I get to & looking for shops that sell 'bents. Sooner or later, I'll find THE model for me. Until then, recumbents are only a vicarious thrill that I'll get to enjoy via BikeForums. Sigh... :(

there aren't more than 5 bents in the shops near me, but I bet there are a lot of people with bents willing to give a test ride. If you were in Dfw I'd have no problem letting you try out our v-rex.

Yeah, I offer to let people ride my bike all the time.
I would give actionbent a look. Try out visions if you can, they seem to be pretty similar. They're cheap too, and your don't have to be too handy. They come 95% assembled. Just put on the seat, wheels and handlebars. Connect all the cables and take it down to your LBS for a tuneup.
Easy peezy. I love my actionbent.

...I'd look at a used v-rex or rocket as my first choice....


+1 for the Rocket.

Decent all around, and it carries my big 'ol self well.

Yeah, I offer to let people ride my bike all the time.
I would give actionbent a look. Try out visions if you can, they seem to be pretty similar. They're cheap too, and your don't have to be too handy. They come 95% assembled. Just put on the seat, wheels and handlebars. Connect all the cables and take it down to your LBS for a tuneup.
Easy peezy. I love my actionbent.

I test rode some bents today and I seemed most comfortable in the SWB design. ActionBent seems a LOT more affordable than the specimens I had tested. However, at about 6'2" I'm worried about proper fit and things like seat adjustability when purchasing a mail order bike. The website doesn't cover such issues and some of the designs look a bit static. What model do you have and what can you tell me about the range of fit, seat/recline adjustability, etc.?

there aren't more than 5 bents in the shops near me, but I bet there are a lot of people with bents willing to give a test ride. If you were in Dfw I'd have no problem letting you try out our v-rex.

Hi aikigreg!

I appreciate your generosity, and may PM you if I'm ever in DFW. Unfortunately (again), I've NEVER seen a 'bent rider on the road here! If I ever saw one, I'd stop them for sure & talk (maybe even ask for a ride if they seemed inclined). No local dealers stock any recumbent line, nobody in the state is an authorized dealer for anything, and the only response I get at the LBS when I ask about 'bents is "why would anyone want one?"

Hi aikigreg!

I appreciate your generosity, and may PM you if I'm ever in DFW. Unfortunately (again), I've NEVER seen a 'bent rider on the road here! If I ever saw one, I'd stop them for sure & talk (maybe even ask for a ride if they seemed inclined). No local dealers stock any recumbent line, nobody in the state is an authorized dealer for anything, and the only response I get at the LBS when I ask about 'bents is "why would anyone want one?"


Umm, because they're willing to pay for it, and are getting it elsewhere without the assistance (and profit) of their shop?

Throw that their way next time you're there.

I would suggest you head to www.bentrideronline.com and I bet if you posted for some help in the area you'd find people willing to let you give it a shot. Bent's aren't thick on the ground either. I'm usually one of at most 5 riders in every tour of 1000 I ride.

...I would suggest you head to www.bentrideronline.com...

Hi again, aikigreg!

I really like bentrideronline, myself, and enjoy their reviews. My game plan is to "reward" myself for a targeted weight loss by coming to the State(s) next door that do have some bent dealers and test ride until I find something to buy. Maybe this Fall? Thanks for the feedback! :)

I own an EZ-1 (another entry level bent)
but I would advise as others to find a used
Rans Rocket. They ARE a hot little bike
and you wouldn't be disappointed.

I own a SWB Lightning Thunderbolt which
apparently is out of production, but if you
called Lightning they might have a
last years model or frame that they could
build you an essentially new one for less
than the original price of $800.00.

I swear by the Thunderbolt and am grateful
to have it. Even a used BikeE might be
a good deal. I have seen big fellas climb
pretty well with those, however Lightning
Bikes are good climbers, and I would drool
to have a P-38.

Good Luck to you. I hope you find one
that suits you. Bents are alot of fun if
you are burned out on Mnt. Bike or Roadie
riding for health reasons. I can ride mine
all day with little pain. (The only pain I
get is due to the 3 steel pins in my hip from
a break in 2002, but I take a rest every 20
miles and the pain goes away.)

I hope you find what you are looking for!