Recumbent - Getting started on a 'bent?

I think I've finally talked my wife into trying a bent (she has back problems and can't do more than about 5 miles on an upright without MAJOR pain the next day, and that's on a hybrid with front and seat suspension).

From what I've been reading it seems like it takes awhile to get comfortable on a bent, how do you get enough time on one to see if you really like it without buying it? There are a couple of local places that sell bents, but they're in the middle of downtown, not an ideal place to re-learn to ride a bike.

Anyone in the Eugene, OR area have an extra they'd loan (rent?) out for a week or two? Or even a day or two?

Thanks,

Jim

i recently bought recumbents for my wife and me - both BikeE's which are compact long wheel base bikes. My wife, who is not a cyclist, knew within a few minutes that she loved the bike and was fairly confident on it. Her first real ride out was about 6 miles and she had no problem getting started, etc. Maybe check out craigslist.org for your area - that's where I bought one of ours and see if there is anything out there you can test drive. Also look for recumbent riding groups in your area - that is where I bought the other one. Bent people seem very friendly and willing to help a newbie out.

Good luck,
Mike.

The first bent that I test rode was a BikeE. I probably had it for 15 minutes and mastered the "essentials" of riding it in far less than that. I've found, after many test rides, that it depends on what you are trying to test ride. For newbies, Long wheel base (LWB's) are easiest to get the hang of, so spend your time with those. They are the most comfortable to start on, and have the shortest learning curve. Once you have some confidence, you can test ride other things that may be a challenge. But by then, you'll have a better idea of what to expect. If you stick with primarily LWB's, you should have very little problem getting a good idea in a typical test ride.

Craigs list is a great resource - that's how I found my first test ride, by the way.

Happy miles,
Tori

I'd like to start bike riding again and I'm interested in a recumbent. Presently, I have a "regular" two-wheeler, but find at my age (50+) that is no longer comfortable for my back and shoulders. Preferably, I would like to stay under the $900 mark. I'm not sure what features I should be looking for or where to purchase. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
Katherine

Your best bet in that area is Coventry Cycle Works. http://www.coventrycycle.com/ They carry a pretty good line of stuff and would have different bents for you to test ride. They're in Portland, so you may want to plan on a Saturday trip to check them out. For the wife I'd recommend a Bacchetta Giro or Cafe.

Mark, if you were replying to me, many thanks. Except, I'm closer to Coventry, RI than Portland, OR. I live in southeastern MA.

Thanks
Katherine

Mark, if you were replying to me, many thanks. Except, I'm closer to Coventry, RI than Portland, OR. I live in southeastern MA.

Thanks
Katherine

you could try Basically Bicycles, in Turners Falls (North West MA).
(basicallybicycles.com)

they have a good inventory of bents to try... when I went there to pick up mine, he had a couple of catrikes, one HP Velo scorpion, quite a few Rans models, and others...

I'd suggest a bike that sits low to the ground and with low pedals, and that means either a LWB or a CLWB. Bikes that are higher off the ground and more-reclined seem harder to learn to balance on.
....
There's a few choices under $900 new, Sun (EZ-1) and Cycle Genius (Starling) each have CLWB's for around $600-$700. These are very similar in riding position to a BikeE.
.....
A BikeE can work just fine too, and they are cheap used--$300 or so--but with a warning.
The BikeE company is officially out of business, as of 2002 or so.
All the "normal" bicycle parts of a BikeE can be easily replaced (the wheels, gears, ect) except for the frames and seats, so you have to make sure the frame and seat are in good condition. There is no company now making new ones.

Another concern is that at one point, BikeE recalled their bikes for seats cracking and breaking. They offered replacements for a while but the company is long gone now. So you must find out (online) how to tell a "good" BikeE seat from the older bad ones before buying.

If you are on a budget don't be discouraged: a lot of casual riders are still riding bikeE's and love them. All this info is online and free, either on web pages or BikeE owners will tell you.
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If I could recommend one accessory to try to get--it would be disk brakes. That is because disk brakes stop well even when they are wet. When it is raining, many normal rim-brakes will barely stop you at all. (-but BikeE's never came with disk brake--I don't think--, so if you decide to go looking for a BikeE you likely won't be finding disk brakes on it-)
~

I was replying to the first post. He was in Eugene, Or. As for MA, I'd say check Bacchetta's site for a local dealer. http://www.bacchettabikes.com I'm slightly biased as I own one and love it.

Thanks for all your feedback...the wife and I are trying to find a day off to get to Portland:) (hard with a 6 day 50 hr week, though:()