Recumbent - Above Seat or Below Seat Steering

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Eagle Driver
08-09-06, 06:22 PM
I'm a newbie looking to purchase my first recumbent. Is "ASS" or "BSS" better for a new bent rider, or is there very little difference? Primary use will be 3-4 times per week for exercise, but hope to move up to a "little" touring. Looking for max comfort. Suggestions appreciated.

cjs1948
08-09-06, 06:51 PM
I'm a newbie looking to purchase my first recumbent. Is "ASS" or "BSS" better for a new bent rider, or is there very little difference? Primary use will be 3-4 times per week for exercise, but hope to move up to a "little" touring. Looking for max comfort. Suggestions appreciated.
USS is definitely the best, however, on a two-wheeler, it may be a little more difficult to get used to. On a trike, which I ride exclusively, there is no problem getting used to it and there are very few trikes that use OSS. OSS is slightly more tiring on trike or bike because of having to hold your arms up. Now we can also see how different acronyms can describe the same thing.

Chip
Eagle Driver
08-09-06, 07:46 PM
USS is definitely the best, however, on a two-wheeler, it may be a little more difficult to get used to. On a trike, which I ride exclusively, there is no problem getting used to it and there are very few trikes that use OSS. OSS is slightly more tiring on trike or bike because of having to hold your arms up. Now we can also see how different acronyms can describe the same thing.

Chip

Sorry about the acronyms, these were the only ones I've seen to describe the steering. Thanks for the info.

blknwhtfoto
08-09-06, 11:46 PM
I like USS a lot. I've tried a few ASS(as I like to call them) bikes, and I'm always nervous that if I get into an accident of some sort, some very sensitive pieces will be ramming themselves into the stem=unpleasant.
rabbitt
08-10-06, 12:38 AM
aren't you confident enough in your 'bent skillz?lol
BlazingPedals
08-10-06, 07:15 AM
Sooner or later, all cyclists will have a crash. As they say, it's not a question of "if" it's a question of "when."
jeff-o
08-10-06, 07:23 AM
Most of what you need to know has been said already. I'll just add that "ASS" (or OSS) is slightly more aerodynamic, since your arms are mostly in front of your torso, rather than to your sides.
Eagle Driver
08-10-06, 11:04 AM
Thanks for the info, sounds like BSS is a more comfortable ride.