Recumbent - Help an "upright" bike guy!

A friend of the family knows I'm a bike nut, and he evidentally values my opinion a fair deal, so he's asked me to build him a bike rather than trust anyone else to the project.

The problem is, he wants me to build a 'bent.

Now for my dirty little secret...I don't know anything about 'bents. I told him as much, but he isn't phased. I also told him to log on here and ask the resident experts (read: you guys) for advice. Still nothing.

So. I feel I should still help, and I don't believe that this is within my abilities.

He wants something fast, but is a beginner. He's coming off of some MAJOR back surgeries stemming from multiple helicopter crashes in an earlier life. You know, the kind of surgeries that had him immobilized in bed for weeks on end.

I believe my requirements are as follows: Under seat steering with long wheel base. I know that LWB in theory slows you down...but he is a beginner. Frame of aluminum, though 4130 Cro-Moly would work too.

I'm looking for the good reputable manufacturers, and some advice on fitting. I don't want him to just hop online and buy from the flashiest looking website. I.e. I'm trying to keep him away from the equivalent of an x-mart 'bent...but I don't know what that is!

A yard dart pilot can hardly be called "an upright guy".

Recently bought my wife a Bacchetta Cafe at $1000 retail. It's comfortable, fast, and not too heavy at 32 lbs. Above seat steering though...it's a short-ish LWB, fits on a flatbed hitch rack no problem.

The Giro is a little more compact, my wife at 5'-9" wasn't real comfortable getting into the cockpit. She was coming off an EZ-Sport and didn't like being that tight in there.

She's a MSgt. and suffers from fibromyalgia...like a nasty form of arthritis, and she loves the Cafe. Should work well for your broke-wing friend.

Maybe this will help:

http://www.atomiczombie.com/

A yard dart pilot can hardly be called "an upright guy".

That's a true statement on multiple levels.:roflmao: :beer:

I'll look into the Bacchettas. In fact, that's one of the ones I've found in my research. I also found that the Burley Design Cooperative makes 'bents...something I didn't know before, but they are a company that I know of their reputation with other forms of bikes.

Thanks for the words and links so far guys. The research goes on.

My LaBent by LaDue was custom built for me by Denny LaDue in Nebraska. Nice bike and very low CG.

Contact the folk's at Lightfoot or Worksman for a Semi-recumbent
trike that may be better for this friend. Then STALL while they get the
info to build your friend ......a trike. Yes, a trike.

Due to your friends back concerns a good trike will be as fast as is realistic
while being much safer for him to ride. Falling off a bike at speed could mess
him up REALLY bad so see if you can get him on a trike.

http://www.lightfootcycles.com/

www.worksman.com

Contact the folk's at Lightfoot or Worksman for a Semi-recumbent
trike that may be better for this friend. Then STALL while they get the
info to build your friend ......a trike. Yes, a trike.

Due to your friends back concerns a good trike will be as fast as is realistic
while being much safer for him to ride. Falling off a bike at speed could mess
him up REALLY bad so see if you can get him on a trike.

+1!

I have owned MANY recumbents, but my favorite, by far, are the Greenspeed trikes! (I still have 2 of them)
Although, if your friend is determined to have only 2 wheels, then I would say a Gold Rush, made by E Z Racers. Aluminum frame and fast (the rcord breaking version is in the Smithsonian) and very user friendly. They also come in titanium and from what I hear lately, carbon fiber. How deep are his pockets?
Best thing to do is find a local 'bent club or just some nearby 'bent owners and see if they will let you "test ride" their babies. Saddle time is the best way to determine which 'bent is best for your friend.
If you have more Q's, PM me anytime. If you are headed this way (California) you can try mine!