Recumbent - Bents are the fastest platform hills or no hills

Some stalwarts on this forum propose that 'bents can not climb hills. That is not the case.
I switched from 'bent to upright to bent quite regularly. I have now switched to the recumbent platform permantaley. My conclulsions are that 'bents can climb hills pretty much at the same speed as DF bikes but on an overall course are way faster than traditional bikes. Think what you want and believe what you want but this is gods absolute truth.
The cycling industry is totaly dominated by Trek and its perspective. The 'bent industry is small and has little voice. But I speak the truth...

MG

I agree, MG. I've done times and averages on my bents that I never did in 22 years of DF riding.

Dennis

Yeah, after some training I'm just as fast on my trike as I was on my Trek road hybrid.

I can climb just as well on my Corsa as I do on my DF. Funny thing how the "bents can't climb" thing is so well known. On th Hotter N' Hell 100 Saturday I had a number of DF riders comment on how I was passing them on the "hills" when they didn't think we bent riders could do that. My question is, where were these people from. The HHH has no hills. Maybe a hump in the road in a dozen or so places but no hills.

SB

My climbing speeds are about the same as when I rode DFs, which is to say, I'm not the best climber out there, and never was! The thing is, I now ride fast enough everywhere else that I now hang with a faster group. So when they beat me up hills, it's really not a fair comparison; they should compare me to the slower group I used to ride with - and I can keep up with that group just fine.

My best defense against the *relative* hill climbing hit a bent takes is to not slow down for the DFs on the flats. That way, they might get to see me cresting the next hill or two in front of them and I'll save them a table at the rest stop.

I'm perhaps partially for perpetuating this myth, but then I'm 60 years old, 195 pounds, and ride a Rans Stratus, usually with a lot of weight on it (commuting with 4 panniers and a fairing). I'm starting to get my climbing legs back, and perhaps I can do some comparisons this fall between my Stratus (stripped of weight) and my Trek 1420.

John

the problem is that we can't cheat by standing up on our pedals and using gravity and our weight to push down on our pedals

That problem is solve by pressing your back into the seat. You can 'push off' with your legs. This gives you lots of power for climbing. My EZ Sport does just fine. bk

I have not been able to duplicate my DF uphill speed yet on my Agio. There is this hill that runs next to the Cherry Creek reservoir. It is the "standard" by which I measure my progress. It is short but very nasty (I swear its about 60% grade:eek: ). On my DF I could manage 9 mph up that short slope and so far on my bent I can barely make 6 mph. I moved my seat up about an inch last week and have already noticed a 1.3 mph increase in my AVg speed. Sunday I did 72.8 mile loop with that hill being one of the last climbs. Well, I was pretty pooped so I wasn't surprised to see no improvement. However, my average speed over the first 36 miles was 16.4 mph. I have NEVER been able to attain that kind Avg speed on my DF. Best I ever did was 13.5.

I have not been able to duplicate my DF uphill speed yet on my Agio. There is this hill that runs next to the Cherry Creek reservoir. It is the "standard" by which I measure my progress. It is short but very nasty (I swear its about 60% grade:eek: ). On my DF I could manage 9 mph up that short slope and so far on my bent I can barely make 6 mph. I moved my seat up about an inch last week and have already noticed a 1.3 mph increase in my AVg speed. Sunday I did 72.8 mile loop with that hill being one of the last climbs. Well, I was pretty pooped so I wasn't surprised to see no improvement. However, my average speed over the first 36 miles was 16.4 mph. I have NEVER been able to attain that kind Avg speed on my DF. Best I ever did was 13.5.

This is exactly what I am talking about. Not that steep super grade where the guy on the DF might get by you but on an over all course with a lot of climbing on it. You will be faster on a performance 'bent as you have seen for yourself. Add a 'bent paceline like Team Bacchetta is starting to do and it will be even faster.
Well the debate goes on.
I have chosen my side in the cycling wars. It is not low vs high but performance bent vs Trek and there hype and BS.
Simple but true and I think the way that it is folks.
Take care and ride on...

MG

My long-standing invitation is still open for some bent riders to show up here in Tallahassee and show just how fast you are. The only bents we ever see are wobbling up the hills just trying to keep the rubber side down.

I climb a little faster on my upright than on my bent, but I have a LOT of leg muscle. The discrepancy becomes more obvious the steeper and longer the hill. On small rollers I am *MUCH* faster on the bent - I'm not sure why, but uprights seem to almost stop at the bottom of rollers, whereas bents pop up and over the sucker.

However, over a long course, the bent is faster, hands down and no contest. Nothing less than a 5 man paceline has a chance of beating me.

True. The aerodynamic advantage cannot be beat.

I climb a little faster on my upright than on my bent, but I have a LOT of leg muscle. The discrepancy becomes more obvious the steeper and longer the hill. On small rollers I am *MUCH* faster on the bent - I'm not sure why, but uprights seem to almost stop at the bottom of rollers, whereas bents pop up and over the sucker.

However, over a long course, the bent is faster, hands down and no contest. Nothing less than a 5 man paceline has a chance of beating me.

I think that you would agree that most bentriders are the solo benter in a fast group ride at least the way things are now. Bacchetta's team riders are now forming there own pacelines and you are seeing the results.
Most particular was John Schlitter and Billy Wolf pacelining at a 12 hour event with a few DF guys who did not do the fast pulls. It was all John and Billy and the race official holding the bents up so they could not finish another lap for an all out win.
269 miles in 12 hours is really amazing don't you think? The DF'ers sucking wheel off the 'bent guys and the race official holding the Benters to even things out....
I can tell you that the cycling powers that be are putting pressure on there dealers not to sell recumbents or at the very least not promote them. I would advise all to stick together and support that local dealer that sells and promotes recumbents.

MG

My climbing speeds are about the same as when I rode DFs, which is to say, I'm not the best climber out there, and never was! The thing is, I now ride fast enough everywhere else that I now hang with a faster group. So when they beat me up hills, it's really not a fair comparison; they should compare me to the slower group I used to ride with - and I can keep up with that group just fine.

My best defense against the *relative* hill climbing hit a bent takes is to not slow down for the DFs on the flats. That way, they might get to see me cresting the next hill or two in front of them and I'll save them a table at the rest stop.

Hi John,

You know that in the DF world if the group ride is big enough there will be large differences in climbing ability and I am sure you have observed this fact. You ride at your fitness level and folks that you have always rode with you can keep up with. This is in fact the truth and pretty much the end of the story. Recumbents do climb a little slower on the steep stuff but as John has pointed out if you do not slow down everywhere else you will simply be faster over all.
We have a guy in our cycling group who is super fast on the flats and rollers yet when we get to the steep stuff he is off the back but he always catches back up when things flatten out and starts hammering the flats out front again. This is a DF guy and this is his exact philosophy.
Interesting....

MG

My long-standing invitation is still open for some bent riders to show up here in Tallahassee and show just how fast you are. The only bents we ever see are wobbling up the hills just trying to keep the rubber side down.

I for one, would love to come to your neck of the woods and ride. I am NOT saying that I could show you up by any means, but I would do my best to uphold the honor of the regiment (bents). And yes I probabaly would woble up those hills (are there any in Florida?:rolleyes: ), since I am still a novice on my bent, still 50lbs over weight, and suffer from sleep depravation, but I would woble with HONOR:D

My long-standing invitation is still open for some bent riders to show up here in Tallahassee and show just how fast you are. The only bents we ever see are wobbling up the hills just trying to keep the rubber side down.


And my long-standing reply to YOU is that I'm right here in Ft. Worth - come and get it.

My long-standing invitation is still open for some bent riders to show up here in Tallahassee and show just how fast you are. The only bents we ever see are wobbling up the hills just trying to keep the rubber side down.

Actually, I think that question has already been answered in the Race Across Florida a couple of times and is now a moot point.

Actually, I think that question has already been answered in the Race Across Florida a couple of times and is now a moot point.

I'm talking about real life riding, not across the flat Florida peninsula. I keep hearing all this trash talk from bent riders, but I just don't see them on anything but flat roads.

I for one, would love to come to your neck of the woods and ride. I am NOT saying that I could show you up by any means, but I would do my best to uphold the honor of the regiment (bents). And yes I probabaly would woble up those hills (are there any in Florida?:rolleyes: ), since I am still a novice on my bent, still 50lbs over weight, and suffer from sleep depravation, but I would woble with HONOR:D

You might be surprised at how well you would do down here at close to sea level. I lived in Aurora for a couple of years and never did get really acclimated to the altitude.

You also might be surprised at how hilly it is in the Florida Panhandle. Our hills are no Loveland Pass but they certainly get the attention of cross country riders who think that they are home free when the get to Florida.

I can easily match your excess 50 pounds. Some folks have a drinking problem. I have an eating problem.

And my long-standing reply to YOU is that I'm right here in Ft. Worth - come and get it.

I'm not the one doing the bragging. It's up to the bragger to back up his boast.:D

I'm not the one doing the bragging. It's up to the bragger to back up his boast.:D

Well, I disagree. You're the one who came over to the 'bent forum throwing down your challenge, so I think the onus is on you to make good. Just come on over to Fort Worth. We have places to ride. Now FWIW, if I were a bettin' man I would be inclined to put my money on Greg and some of the other 'bent riders I've seen around these parts, but I'm not. As for me, I mainly ride a recumbent trike that was designed as a touring machine, so it is unlikely you would have any problem showing me up. But at the end of the day, I bet I would've had more fun. By the way, around here you can't use one of those little breezes off the Gulf as a tail wind to boost your speed avg:)

Well, I disagree. You're the one who came over to the 'bent forum throwing down your challenge, so I think the onus is on you to make good. Just come on over to Fort Worth. We have places to ride. Now FWIW, if I were a bettin' man I would be inclined to put my money on Greg and some of the other 'bent riders I've seen around these parts, but I'm not. As for me, I mainly ride a recumbent trike that was designed as a touring machine, so it is unlikely you would have any problem showing me up. But at the end of the day, I bet I would've had more fun. By the way, around here you can't use one of those little breezes off the Gulf as a tail wind to boost your speed avg:)

I think you are misconstruing my intentions. I am not claiming that I am fast. I'm not. I'm an old fat guy who would like to buy a Bachetta if SWMBO would let him. It looks like a lot of fun.

What I keep seeing is guys in this forum talking about how fast they are and how they blow the doors off roadies day in and day out. What I NEVER see is any bent riders on the road actually passing anyone except other bent riders. There may be fast bent riders out there, but they sure aren't on the roads I ride.

Breezes off the Gulf? I only wish I could get a tailwind once in a while. We are up here in the panhandle, well inland where we seem to have constant and permanent headwinds. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.:p

As for having more fun, if I wasn't having an awful lot of fun I sure wouldn't crawl out of bed at 5:30 a.m. every Saturday and Sunday to go ride with my buds.

I think you are misconstruing my intentions. I am not claiming that I am fast. I'm not. I'm an old fat guy who would like to buy a Bachetta if SWMBO would let him. It looks like a lot of fun.For someone who's, by their own admission, not very fast and who would like to have a bent you sure seem to spend a lot of time and energy on the bent forum bashing us. If that's not your intention I can sure see how it could be miscontrued.

SB

I think you are misconstruing my intentions. I am not claiming that I am fast. I'm not. I'm an old fat guy who would like to buy a Bachetta if SWMBO would let him. It looks like a lot of fun.



Well maybe I did misunderstand what you meant, but the comment "My long-standing invitation is still open for some bent riders to show up here in Tallahassee and show just how fast you are." sure seemed like a direct challenge to me. Anyway, I understand about the headwinds. My comment about the gulf breeze was intended as a joke...

For someone who's, by their own admission, not very fast and who would like to have a bent you sure seem to spend a lot of time and energy on the bent forum bashing us. If that's not your intention I can sure see how it could be miscontrued.

SB

I'm not bashing anyone. Like I have said repeatedly, I would like to see these fast recumbents I keep reading about in this forum.

I'm not the one doing the bragging. It's up to the bragger to back up his boast.:D


the difference is, I'm not doing it on the roadie forum, now am I?

Of course, I'd likely beat you on my roadbike too, though not by as wide a margin. I geek out on a full carbon trek during triathlon season.

I'm not bashing anyone. Like I have said repeatedly, I would like to see these fast recumbents I keep reading about in this forum.

Then come on out to beautiful Cal IH for Neye ay! Seems "fast" Freddy Markham just swooped about $18,000 odd dollars for riding something like 53 miles in one hour. That's one HELL of an average speed if you ask me. And just last weekend I saw a buddy of mine leading 3-4 hard charging DF riders on his Tour Easy. So
maybe it's just that there aren't (m)any fast 'bent riders who have retired to Florida yet.

As a note, I haven't seen mentioned the fact that on some recumbents, you can pedal all the way through a corner! That would seem to me to be something that would add to overall speeds of recumbents.

Me? I average .4 mph on climbs riding my trike. The descent, on the other hand, is what riding is all about for me. (if I can't spin out my highest gear, it's not really a downhill!)
What kind of brakes do I have? Don't know, never use 'em!

OK, something that WAS mentioned briefly in this thread, ....FUN!!

Every one has a different take on what that is. But if YOU are having FUN, then JUST DO IT! Do LOTS of it! Diamond frame, recumbent, 2 wheels, 3 wheels & more! Have fun NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(gasoline will make us ALL ride pretty soon) Might as well have FUN!! (G*dDammit)

Come on, guys! Dick is trying to reach out to us, albeit with his back hand. Aren't there any lowracers in the entire Florida panhandle? If not, you'll just have to bite the bullet and become the first, Dick. You will wonder what took you so long to believe.

Come on, guys! Dick is trying to reach out to us, albeit with his back hand. Aren't there any lowracers in the entire Florida panhandle? If not, you'll just have to bite the bullet and become the first, Dick. You will wonder what took you so long to believe.
+1!

Bentrox rides an Optima Baron.....and he's ALWAYS off the FRONT!!!

(unless maybe Leo is riding too):rolleyes:

My long-standing invitation is still open for some bent riders to show up here in Tallahassee and show just how fast you are. The only bents we ever see are wobbling up the hills just trying to keep the rubber side down.

Didn't know you had hills. Did you do Race Across Florida? Bent's took 4 out of the 5 top spots in that one. You're probably seeing the FOG's on LWB cruiser bents, yeah, those are slow. Watch out for the high/low racers, those are another breed, and in Florida, with a good engine they'll pretty much dominate.

Come on, guys! Dick is trying to reach out to us, albeit with his back hand. Aren't there any lowracers in the entire Florida panhandle? If not, you'll just have to bite the bullet and become the first, Dick. You will wonder what took you so long to believe.

I've got a baron, but florida is a hellhole IMO, so I'm not likely to go there anytime soon!

I'm not bashing anyone. Like I have said repeatedly, I would like to see these fast recumbents I keep reading about in this forum.

Let's all concede that recumbents are as yet a small, but growing segment of the cycling community. It's not that they don't exist, there are plenty of records that they have made. This is a big country though, and especially because they are so much more expensive, you just won't see as many out there as the DF's that you're used to. That doesn't mean that they don't do what these folks say they do. If you are that interested, seems like you should travel somewhere where they are and talk to them. Then, go home and work on finding yourself one to pioneer with in your own area! You're here because you are interested, now TRY it!

I switched to a bent this year. So far I've found my avg mph has been slow compared to some of the averages I was getting on my road bike. I've found that it's not what I would consider to be a "good climbing bike". It seems that going downhill is much faster than DFs but uphill requires a more focused need to retain momentum.

Bet let's be fair. I'm new to the bike and from what others have said, still need to 'build my bent muscles'. The bike weighs about 50% more than the road bike did, and the bent has big fat tires where the road bike sported skinnies. I'm also maybe a bit more cautious while I'm still learning and certain habits have changed, mainly I don't often feel the need for speed much anymore.

My dos pesos

I've got a baron, but florida is a hellhole IMO, so I'm not likely to go there anytime soon!

My sentiments exactly.

I've got a baron, but florida is a hellhole IMO, so I'm not likely to go there anytime soon!

Have you ever been to the Tallahassee area?

The obvious question to me is, "Am I faster on my bent than I was on my DF?" The answer is, "Sometimes."

I think it's fair to say that it took me years to get my cycling legs on the DF, and I'm already matching my average speeds commuting 30 miles round-trip on my bent, even with the tall hills and extra weight.

But even if I never got faster on my bent, I'm happier riding it. It's the most natural position for spinning. A fantastic workout.

Have you ever been to the Tallahassee area?

Yup. Everywhere - the pandhandle, miami, the keys, st. pete, Tallhassee, Orlando, you name it. Florida is mostly flat, hot, and humid. Texas is quickly getting worse, so I'm jetting out of here in the neext two years. So you'd better get in the car quickly and get here to race!


Oh, and pompous - it took me 6 months to start feeling comfortable enough on the bent and push it. And bents are just like uprights in that many are not built for speed. There are good bikes and bad, normal and elite. Mine is light, lots of carbon fiber, 1 1/8" tires, good gearing, and extremely low to the ground. My commutter is even lighter, but with lower end components and less performance tires. You can't turn a F-150 into a Porsche, my man. Same with bikes - any kind of bike. If you want more speed, lighten up, get more aero, and better componentry - especially wheels. Isn't that SOP for any cyclist?

Have you ever been to the Tallahassee area?

Don't worry about these guys Dick
I guess they don't want to ride with you.
Bacchetta's are fine bikes and hope you get one someday.
Some folks here really dislike the company.

MG

Didn't know you had hills. Did you do Race Across Florida? Bent's took 4 out of the 5 top spots in that one. You're probably seeing the FOG's on LWB cruiser bents, yeah, those are slow. Watch out for the high/low racers, those are another breed, and in Florida, with a good engine they'll pretty much dominate.
None of these guys can climb hills.
I know first hand.

MG

www.bacchettabikes.com
click on the forums page and log in.
If you are interested in Bacchetta bikes this is the place to ask questions and you won't get diss'd.
Good luck to ya...

MG

I switched to a bent this year. So far I've found my avg mph has been slow compared to some of the averages I was getting on my road bike. I've found that it's not what I would consider to be a "good climbing bike". It seems that going downhill is much faster than DFs but uphill requires a more focused need to retain momentum.

Bet let's be fair. I'm new to the bike and from what others have said, still need to 'build my bent muscles'. The bike weighs about 50% more than the road bike did, and the bent has big fat tires where the road bike sported skinnies. I'm also maybe a bit more cautious while I'm still learning and certain habits have changed, mainly I don't often feel the need for speed much anymore.

My dos pesos

My Aero is at about 22 lbs and a good road bike is in the 18.5 range. Hardly 50%. What *** kind of "performance" bent do you own?
Just curious before one shoots his mouth off before knowing what one is talking about.
Ah but this is the net and any one can post just about any kind of BS....

TS

My Aero is at about 22 lbs and a good road bike is in the 18.5 range. Hardly 50%. What *** kind of "performance" bent do you own?
Just curious before one shoots his mouth off before knowing what one is talking about.
Ah but this is the net and any one can post just about any kind of BS....

TS

I didn't adjust at all to my SWB Lightning Phantom, so I sold it to a guy that loves it. My Giant OCR C2 weighed about 19 pounds. I've saving up for a Rans Stratus, which is listed at 31 pounds. From what I've seen of people riding the Bachettas in this area, on long rides, when I get to the regroup points, I'll just wake the Bachetta riders up from their naps.;)

You can promptly gargle my balls.

And an intelligent responce to my question. What kind of bike do you ride.
The two most prominate members of this forum ride Baron lowracers.
Those I know are faster than any DF bike even in hills.
I ride a Bacchetta Aero it to is faster than any DF bike.
It is a simple fact yet racing proves all but 'bents are banned in outright racing so it is truly a moot point.
You are of course welcome to be stupid if you choose. Some try to educate but with the handicaped as you obviously are I will let this be my last post on the subject.

MG

None of these guys can climb hills.
I know first hand.

MG

I don't know about that, look at http://www.raceacrossoregon.com results. Lots of climbing there, and bents took 2nd, and 3rd in 4 man, 3rd and 4th in 2 man. Anyway, this thread is becoming a troll so I'm out of it. Results speak for themselves, and if people judge bents by FOGS on 30+lb bikes, then yes they'll always be slow. Check out http://www.ultracycling.com and read up on RAO. " As one observer noted, "Those recumbents are so fast on the downhill, and man could those dudes climb..." "

I don't know about that, look at http://www.raceacrossoregon.com results. Lots of climbing there, and bents took 2nd, and 3rd in 4 man, 3rd and 4th in 2 man. Anyway, this thread is becoming a troll so I'm out of it. Results speak for themselves, and if people judge bents by FOGS on 30+lb bikes, then yes they'll always be slow. Check out http://www.ultracycling.com and read up on RAO. " As one observer noted, "Those recumbents are so fast on the downhill, and man could those dudes climb..." "

Mark,

you missed the whole point of my post here. I did not mean that Bacchetta riders can not climb hills I mean specific persons on this forum who participated quite vigorosly in the low/high debate that raged all over the net which I started with a ride in chicago in 2001 on a Rich Pinto Aerocycle.
Back in '01 lowracers were the speed rage and it was just unthinkable that a high racer could be fast.
the facts are proved otherwise. Yet overall carbon lowracers are light stiff and climb hills well and are a tad faster than high racers but Ultra cycling is just another total discipline that I personally believe the big wheel bikes are just better suited for as a tool to go fast.
And remember as a UMCA member that if you race a 'bent your performance is judged as a 'bent yet they allow all to race mass start. So the facts speak for themselves as far as bacchetta goes and there top riders.

MG

And an intelligent responce to my question. What kind of bike do you ride.
The two most prominate members of this forum ride Baron lowracers.
Those I know are faster than any DF bike even in hills.
I ride a Bacchetta Aero it to is faster than any DF bike.
It is a simple fact yet racing proves all but 'bents are banned in outright racing so it is truly a moot point.
You are of course welcome to be stupid if you choose. Some try to educate but with the handicaped as you obviously are I will let this be my last post on the subject.

MG

Treat people with respect and you'll get it back.

A simple concept.

Treat people with respect and you'll get it back.

A simple concept.

Time to report you to the moderator. My posts were more than respectfull to your outbursts.
You are a troll.
Good bye....

MG

Time to report you to the moderator. My posts were more than respectfull to your outbursts.
You are a troll.
Good bye....

MG

I give a fair assessment of your post and my experiences, you don't like it even though it's balanced, and you resond with

What *** kind of "performance" bent do you own

Then go on to basically call my post "BS" and I don't know what I'm talking about.

And you call me a troll?

Grow up and quit acting like a jerk.

I give a fair assessment of your post and my experiences, you don't like it even though it's balanced, and you resond with

What *** kind of "performance" bent do you own

Then go on to basically call my post "BS" and I don't know what I'm talking about.

And you call me a troll?

Grow up and quit acting like a jerk.

My apoligies to you.
But what kind of 'bent do you ride?
It really will tell all of us here where you are comming from.
Folks here ride anything from a tricked out lowracer to a full body socked Easyracers product which all of these platforms are faster than DF bikes.

MG