Commuting - Recumbents And Commuting

Any body out there use a recumbent for commuting.?

I saw someone out in traffic last summer doing it. Didn't get a chance to talk to them though.

I read a story about a 50-something Atlantan who regularly rides
a recumbent downtown to work, I think about 20 miles round-trip,
two or three times a week.

I didn't talk to him, either.

:(

I'm a confirmed fixie rider for commuting cause its simple, light and low maintenance. However, last Oct I purchased a RANS Rocket SWB recumbent just to try 'benting. After I had gotten used to the bike and starting off with the relatively high BB of the Rocket, I rode it to work a couple of times to see how it compared with my uprights.

First, I would not recommend it at least for the type commute that I have. I run 12 miles/each way with about half rural and half in town. The bent was great for the rural portion, but not in town. Its simply much less maneuverable that any of my uprights. Starting off from lights/stops is a pain in traffic. [Biggest Negative]

Second, dealing with even my SWB Rocket inside my office was a real pain the rear. I work on the 3rd floor and normally keep my ride in my office. With the bent I had to take the elevator where I normally just shoulder my ride and take the stairs. It barely fit in the elevator. Plus, with that crankset sticking out front, it's much more of a job to roll it around inside. If I were to continue to commute on it, I'd find somewhere to leave it outside. [Big Negative]

Visability was not a problem. I could see just fine at intersections, although a low rider would definately be a problem for seeing around SUV's. I found I was more visible (or maybe more noticeable) to motorists. [Positive]

I don't know why or how to describe it, but I 'felt' more like a 'legitimate road user.' I guess maybe cause I was sitting more or less in a position just like in a car. I have bike commuted for years and have never felt LESS like a second-class road user as on the bent. And, I really do think I got more respect for passing cars--but maybe that was just their curiosity which would fade with time. [Positive]

I had to have a mirror which I don't normally use. [Negative]

Finally, all the hype asside about recumbents and speed, I found that I was significantly slower on the bent than any of my other bikes. I think of all my rides, my commute gives me the best comparision of bikes since its always the same route, has real world traffic, stops, weather, etc. Plus, I've done it some many times I know exactly what my average speed will be for how tired I as that day, or given the 20 mph headwind on the way home. The bent was (a charitable) 2 mph slower than my uprights which are all comparable in terms of average speed for my commute. While the bent is definately faster on the flat, open road and in a headwind, real world commuting normally involves lots of starting a stoping. That killed the bents aero advantage and sucked a lot of energy from me everytime I had to accelerate up again.[Negative]

Dave

I also have a recumbent, Vision R40 SWB/USS, which I use for commuting and find for myself to have some similar and some different feeling about the recumbent commute. One thing to be aware of is that for $1500 you can get a sub 20 pound DF bike but for the same money you will end up with a 30-35 pound bent. With the exception of the extremely expensive racer models you better be prepared for a heavy bike which is much more difficult to lug around in and out of the office. Then if you get a LWB things get really more complicated.

As far as maneuverability goes it is not as good as a diamond frame bike (DF) when using in the city. I live in San Diego, Ca and also ride 12 miles with lots of stop lights and one fairly large hill. I have put around 2700 miles on mine since last April and don't really find it hard to start and stop from lights. It is a little slower accelerating, it is very important to down shift much more than you normally would on a DF.

Fortunately I work on the 1st floor and it isn't an issue getting the bike in and out but it is definately more difficult than a DF.

I totally agree with visibility, I find that you are much more aware of the surroundings while riding the bent. Also, since these bikes are somewhat strange most people tend to notice you more.

With regards to mirrors, I found that I like having the helmet mount rear view mirror for the added awareness. I wish I could get one to work on my DF's but I always just end up looking at my shoulders and back pack.

I found that my speed on the bent compared to all of my other various DF bikes was very very similar. I tend to get to work between 36-40 minutes regardless of the bike (road, mtb, bent). It usually has more to do with my luck with stop lights and the wind in the morning. Going up hills is slightly slower but not significantly, maybe 2mph or less.

John