Bent Fit?

[FarHorizon]

Let me ask a "fit question" as regards recumbents. My LBS is assembling my bike for me, but they admit that this is the first recumbent they've ever done & they are guessing as to how things go together. When fully extended, should my leg be completely straight, or retain a small bend at the knee? In other words, how do I tell when I've got the seat-to-pedals distance right? Thanks.

[N_C]

It should be the same as it would be with a wedgie road type bike. A slight bend in the knee when your foot is at the furthest distance during the pedal stroke.

Is there no other shop that knows anything about recumbents in your area? I'd be a little nervous with a shop who has no knowledge of how to assemble a 'bent. If it is the only one available in Baton Rouge then you have no choice, if you do I suggest you have another shop who knows something about 'bents do the owrk for you.

I do not let any shop touch my bike unless they know about recumbents.

[FarHorizon]

...I do not let any shop touch my bike unless they know about recumbents.

Alas - the closest shop that sells (or knows ANYTHING about recumbents) is in another STATE! My shop & I will learn together, hopefully without any crashes along the way...

[tornadobass]

My Vision manual suggests setting the distance with the heel on the pedal and fully extended. Much like a DF bike, this will give a bit of knee bend. A mistake I made at first was having the distance too long so that I had to slide down the seat a bit. Settle into your seat before doing the adjustment.

Also, you'll have more room for error if the distance adjusts by sliding the seat than by extending a boom (which requires adjusting chain length when you're done).

[ronsmithjunior]

The "heel on the pedal with the leg fully extended" method works for me, on both my recumbent and my road bike. Keep in mind that once this is set, if you tilt the seat forwards or backwards you will have to compensate by changing the fore/aft adjustment.

Being able to slide forwards and backwards on the seat helps when trying to figure out the ideal position. It can also hurt if you get sloppy on a long ride and start the slouch in the seat. I am sensitive down to the millimeter about how far away from the cranks I sit. On a long ride I have to periodically check my position to make sure nothing has changed.

What kind of bike is it?

[SoonerBent]

The "heel on the pedal with the leg fully extended" method works for me.Me too.

[FarHorizon]

This turned out to be a non-issue for me after all. Bacchetta thoughtfully provides a quick-release lever on the seat. I can adjust fore and aft to my heart's content at a moment's notice until I get comfy. YAAAAAAAAAY Bacchetta!

The second question of note (my LBS folks were as stumped as I) is "how far back should the seat be tilted?" This seems relatively easy to adjust also - the rear seat supports have a sliding tube arrangement with multiple holes for various heights. I'm assuming I should start with the seat "full up" until I get the hang of riding the thing? Once accustomed, I should slowly try reclining the seat until a "most comfortable" position is found? If I get the seat significantly reclined, does anyone make a head-support for the back of the seat?

Although I haven't gotten to ride yet, I'm so excited! :p

[bentrox!]

You answered your own question with three more, the answers to which are: yes, yes and yes.