OK, so I'm now riding my modified Bacchetta Corsa daily. I've noticed that this puppy seems to require a totally different set of muscles from what I used on my diamond-frame. It's like I'm learning to ride again from scratch! How many days of 10-20 miles per day will it take for me to become as comfy and proficient on this bike as I was on my diamond-frame?
Also, to maintain tone & balance, is it advisable to ride my 'bent one day and the diamond-frame on alternate days?
Finally, I notice that if I "lean the bars back" via that universal joint at the base of the stem, my knees hit the bars. It would seem that this would prevent me from ever reclining the seat. If I do recline the seat, my shoulders, arms, and wrists will be farther back on the bike, causing the bars to recline & hit my knees. The bike came with an alternate, longer stem, but that stem was not usable with the seat in the "fully up" position, so I had the LBS swap to the shorter stem. Now, if I want to go back to the longer stem, I'll have to swap out every cable & housing on the bike (again)! Is there any workaround?
Thanks!
N_C
07-30-06, 08:04 AM
If you strictly ride your 'bent it could take anywhere from 500 to 1,000 miles or up to a year. If you alternate it will take longer. Why are you alternating anyway?
Once a person has a recumbent I see no reason to ever ride a wedgie again unless it is a mountain bike used for off road riding. When I made the switch from my wedgie road bike to my Vision 5 years ago I wondered why I didn't so sooner.
IMO unless your wedgie is a mountain bike that you will use for off road riding sell it. Especially if it is a road bike.
Nightshade
07-30-06, 09:51 AM
The simple,but, true answer is it will take as long as you spend
training your body to ride a recumbent which is different for
everybody.
It took me about 2 months to learn to ride my bent trike so it may
be for you. Just be damn sure that the bent is adjusted to your body
CORRECTLY and the learning curve will be what it is.
FarHorizon
07-30-06, 10:08 AM
...Why are you alternating anyway? Once a person has a recumbent I see no reason to ever ride a wedgie again unless it is a mountain bike used for off road riding. When I made the switch from my wedgie road bike to my Vision 5 years ago I wondered why I didn't so sooner...
I'm still not sure this recumbent is for me. It is the first 'bent I've ever owned (actually, one of the first I've ever seen, except in photos!). My learing curve is a hard one because I've no experience and only youse folks for support.
The first thing that concerns me about my 'bent is steering. The bike seems exceptionally "twitchy," and the least movement of the handlebars results in wild gyrations about the intended steering path. I've learned to "lean more, steer less" already, but if you've any steering suggestions, I'd welcome them.
The second thing that concerns me about my 'bent is starting (and stopping). I'm using the "lock the brakes -position the pedal-stroke with one leg-and lift the other quickly to the pedals" method. I get going first try most times, but occasionally, I have to stop and try again. Should I be fully "laid back" in the seat while starting or sit upright until I get going & then lay back? Also, when I first start, I wobble about the entire street before I get full control of the bike and am able to steer where I want to go. When stopping, I'm slowly learning to just stop - then put my feet down. If you've any starting-stopping suggestions, I'd welcome them too.
Thirdly, I don't yet like the pedals being so high. At first, I worried that my feet would "fall off" the platform pedals up front. I've now learned that they seem to hang there OK, and I surely don't want to be attached to those pedals in any way since I'm not comfortable balancing the bike yet. Is the high foot position something I'll get used to, or should I look for a bike design with a lower crank?
Finally, I'm not really sure where the seat should be. I tried reclining the seat a bit today and moving the seat back a small bit. It made a HUGE difference in the bike's feel. Is this something that should just be determined by experimenting with tilt and setback, or is there a "formal method" for setting the bike's fit? I find my ankles are more comfy with the leg extension just a tad longer than the "heel touches the pedal" method.
Sorry to pepper yall with such stupid noob questions, but you're my only hope, Obi Wan Kenobe! :)
Nightshade
07-30-06, 11:35 AM
Try a set of Platforms with spikes to hold the sole of the shoe better.
I use a set of nashbar pedals on my bent that hold the shoe secure
while not locking the shoe in place. You have to jocky the foot after
you start but once set the shoe is there until you move it. I like that.
You're gonna "wander like a drunk" until you get the bike adjusted just right so take it slow while you
adjust the bike so that it's "part of you" when you ride then all will be OK.
N_C
07-30-06, 11:57 AM
The steering is more like a leaning or banking vs turning. You will get used to the way it feels over time. You may even fall in a turn because you lean or bank to far.
One thing I learned right away is to keep the same foot on the pedal & take the same foot off when I stop as I did with a road bike. I thought I could switch because I have a recumbent but because my body was used to the way I did it on a wedgie I had to continue doing so on my Vision. If you have switched what foot is on the pedal & which one you take off during a stop you may want to go back to the way you do this on a DF.
Learning to control a recumbent will take time. It took me a good week before I took it out on the road. I went to an asphalt school running track to learn. Once I was able to make it around the track at a good speed 10 times I graduated to riding on the road. You may have to do this too.
Recumbents are more twitchy & responsive then DF's. Especially short wheel base 'bents. I take it yours is a short or medium wheel base. This will take time to get used to to. Once you do you'll love the responsivness compared to a DF.
With starting from a stopped position you will not have the same power to weight ratio as you do with a DF. I learned to shift to a lower gear so I could get going easier from a stopped position on my 'bent. On my old wedgie this was not an issue, especially since I could stand & power my way across an intersection in a higher gear. Over the years I have been able to not shift down as low of a gear as I started using when starting from a stopped position. But I can not use as high of a gear as I did with my old road bike. You may have to shift down to a lower gear so it is easier to get started from a stopped position.
Learning how to control a recumbent & developing the skills needed as well as your 'bent muscles will take time. You need to give it an appropriate amount of time to do this. I recommend, if one is available, for you to go to a paved or asphalt surface school running track & practice. Practice starting from a stopped position, practice banking into the turns on the curved part of the track. Once you have mastered the banking on the gradual curves of the running track you should then practice a sharper banking turn in the school parking lot. Just make sure there are no or you are not near any cars. If there are people using the track that is fine. You'll have to learn how to ride around them on your 'bent as well. Just make sure they know you're there & call out on your left or right when passing.
If you're not comfortable with clipless pedals wait until you can balance the bike before you start using them. Did/do you use them on your DF? If you did then you know how to clip in & out. You will get used to the foot position over time.
The seat position is a matter of personal preferance along with making sure the fit is correct. You still want the same slight bend in you knee when your foot is at the max. during the pedal stroke just as you would on a DF. Knee clearance with your handle bars is also an issue. Adjust the seat so you knees clear the bars & the bend is the same as it is on a DF. After that the angle of the recline is more of a personal choice then anything.
Wear a helmet just as you would on a DF. Accidents can & do happen, especially when you're learning how to ride your 'bent. Granted you have less distance to fall but an injury can still occur. A helmet may help protect your head if you hit is on something during an accident.
FarHorizon
07-30-06, 04:48 PM
Thanks for the primer! I appreciate your taking the time to tutor me. I sure need it! :o
To answer some of your questions - I've never used clipless - even on my DF bike. I've always preferred platform pedals of the MTB style with little spikes on them to secure my feet in place. My body doesn't normally work with feet pointing directly forward - I splay my toes outward when walking, running, or cycling. For this reason (and because I don't like being fastened to the bike) I've never cottoned to clipless.
I've always worn a helmet and biking gloves, and plan to continue on my 'bent.
My "training rides" started on a grass-surface parade ground. I made a few laps with constant starting-stopping just to get my feet wet. I then graduated to making laps around my neighborhood, on paved streets. I awe the local kids - they've never seen a 'bent before!
I'm still a novice, and may or may not warm up to the Bacchetta. If I decide I don't like it, plan B is to buy a trike. I may as well buy a new one - the used ones on e-Bay sell for within $200 of the price of a new!
Dchiefransom
07-30-06, 05:07 PM
Try posting your fit problems on www.bentrideronline.com. You might get an answer on your knees hitting the bars. I never got used to the feeling of instability on my SWB, so I'm looking at LWB.
FarHorizon
07-30-06, 05:26 PM
...I never got used to the feeling of instability on my SWB, so I'm looking at LWB.
Well, THAT'S not good news, Dchiefransom! If you can't get used to the thing, there's little hope for me... I'm going to give it another month or two. If we're into football season & I still don't feel comfy, I'll be looking at a trike, LWB, or lowracer myself. Please keep me posted as to whether or not your SWB eventually becomes more familiar.
By the way, is my Bacchetta Corsa considered a SWB or CLWB?
Thanks.
N_C
07-30-06, 06:06 PM
One thing that may be hindering your balance on the 'bent is if you're still riding your DF. It is possible that by switching from one to the other while you're learning to ride the 'bent is causing a problem with the balance. You may want to stop riding the DF for a while until you have mastered riding the 'bent with the balance it needs for you to keep it under control.
rabbitt
07-30-06, 06:54 PM
The Corsa is considered a Highracer, which is under the category of SWB's. (I'm pretty sure)
megaman
07-30-06, 08:26 PM
One think I'm not sure was made clear was shifting down. Shift down a few gears before you come to a stop while still spinning. This will make the starting much easier.
If your heels regularly hit the cranks or you find your feet are always half way off the pedals, you could try "knee savers". For me that was the best thing since sliced bread.
Dchiefransom
07-30-06, 09:42 PM
Well, THAT'S not good news, Dchiefransom! If you can't get used to the thing, there's little hope for me... I'm going to give it another month or two. If we're into football season & I still don't feel comfy, I'll be looking at a trike, LWB, or lowracer myself. Please keep me posted as to whether or not your SWB eventually becomes more familiar.
By the way, is my Bacchetta Corsa considered a SWB or CLWB?
Thanks.
I already sold it, to a guy that was very smooth while test riding it. No wobbling and totally relaxed. It's an individual thing. I should be test riding a Rans Stratus Tuesday.
FarHorizon
07-30-06, 10:35 PM
I already sold it, to a guy that was very smooth while test riding it. No wobbling and totally relaxed. It's an individual thing. I should be test riding a Rans Stratus Tuesday.
Well, my dice are rolled - I just bought a Catrike Speed off e-Bay. I'll continue to experiment with the Bacchetta, but it's likely e-Bay bound.
N_C
07-30-06, 10:40 PM
Did you win the auction or do you just have a bid on the trike?
FarHorizon
07-30-06, 10:44 PM
Did you win the auction or do you just have a bid on the trike?
Won a 2K5 model.
megaman
07-31-06, 08:38 PM
Cool man, :D. This is the main board I use. But the board at www.catrike.com might be worth a visit. Lots of great people there too. I keep going over there, cause as one poster said it's like going to the mother ship to see what wisdom you'll pick up today(or something like that).
Sandwarrior
08-01-06, 08:21 AM
I agree with N_C. I have a Bacchetta Agio (LWB OSS). The dealer I bought the bike from said it would take in the neighbor hood of 200 hours to get the hang of it (I have about 60).
My seat is upright, that is almost 80 degrees, but I like it this way. It is very good support for my back, and the most comfortable position. I may change it later, but the seat I have tends to make me slide forward. I think this may be an indication that my seat needs to move forward about an inch.
Whenever I come to a stop, I down shift to my 4 or 3 ring. This gives me the best ease of starting. Anything less and I tend to wobble, same with the higher gears. I also have one hand holding the brake while I am motionless, then position the peddle (left side for me) to get the maximum push when I start out. The only time I would use a lower gear to start out is if I am on a hill.
N_C
08-01-06, 09:53 AM
Even though with a trike balance will not be as much as an issue as it is on a 2 wheel recumbent you will still need to allow for enough time to develope the muscles. And the starting & stopping factor will be the same as well. The same goes for the fit of the bike, and the slight bend in the knee as it would be on a DF.
FarHorizon
08-01-06, 02:17 PM
Even though with a trike balance will not be as much as an issue as it is on a 2 wheel recumbent you will still need to allow for enough time to develope the muscles. And the starting & stopping factor will be the same as well. The same goes for the fit of the bike, and the slight bend in the knee as it would be on a DF.