Recumbent - Recumbents ?

I am wondering about recumbents ... I have seen them on the road, and just last week I met a very nice guy, who took nearly an hour out of his ride to show me his recumbent. (My ride was over, and he was about to go out). He owns a road bike, a mtn bike ( as do I), and just got the recumbent. He LOVES:love: :love: :love: it. At 72 he likes the comfort level of the riding position.

So, I'm thinking about my next bike ... ... ... opinions please.:confused:

DON'T ride one if you are not prepared to buy one. lol

I just got finished with a 1300 mile ride up the Atlantic Coast on a trike recumbent. Very satisfied.

The recumbent ride sensation is a feeling you can't describe to someone who has never ridden one. You simply have to ride. In a short while euphoria will sweep over you...and you shall be enlightened. I've never met or heard of a recumbent rider who didn't enjoy the epiphany.

There are so many recumbent design variations to choose from, more so than among road or mountain bikes, that the biggest hurdle is finding a good selection to test ride. Knowing what kind of ride experience you're looking for (casual, touring, racing, etc.) can help focus your search.

Start reading reviews and articles at www.bentrideronline.com

I like all my bikes - road, mountain, recumbent - but the bent has at least 90% of my total biking mileage.

So go for it!

I love mine. Fast too. Ok..........very fast

Recumbents are great.The closest thing to flying.
But if you live in a inner city a good ride can be spoiled by some
idiots that find a recumbent insulting for some reason.
If you live in a area where most people are not sub normal you will have a great time.

Orbit1, you have my sympathy regarding your travails in Birmingham but I'm beginning to be concerned with the effect it is having on your well-being. So many bitter posts! Try to find riding buddies who share your interest in bents and turn this negativity around before it consumes you. Birmingham is a big place, surely there are good people there abouts - maybe try riding somewhere out of the inner city?

Your absolutally right.
I am thinking of using my recumbent for special rides away from Birmingham.
As for finding another bent rider in Birmingham,this would be great,i have never
seen another bent rider in Birmingham however.
So if there is any bent riders in Birmingahm England and would like some compony on thier rides,let me know.

I'm pretty sure that my next bike will be a recumbant. I've ridden a bunch of them, and feel more secure in them than in my road bike (a Trek 1420). I like the position, being able to see everything, and the lower position. Good luck on this decision.

John

I still ride both DF and recumbent. I like them both for different reasons and the cross training effect. You definitely use different muscle groups on the 2 types of bikes.

I rode a recumbent at the Chicago Bike Show back in March. It was like nothing else- takes the stress off your back and shoulders altogether, and it keeps your head upright so you don't ever lose the horizen. And those things can fly too! I'm thinking of either buying one for my dad, who has Parkinson's and is upset he can't ride his bike at all due to coordination and balance issues, or I may just build one.

The Park Tools guy in the Chicago area owns several bents, and he said he could help me build one that would be good quality for under $1000. I'm seriously considering the offer.

If you can get a bent, I say go for it. Nothing says you won't ride your upright bike and recumbent once you have both with you!

Let us know what you decide.

I'm recovering from a radical prostatectomy (prostate cancer) and DF riding is out of the question for at least several months. So, I researched and looked at several recumbents including a Rocket, V-Rex, V2, Tour Easy SS and EX, Giro, Strada, and Django. I ended up ordering a V-Rex. it should be here next week. :)

I just took delivery of my first bent and had my maiden voyage yesterday. It is a 2001 Vision R40 SWB/USS. I felt like a 4-year old again...zig zagging down the road. The balance and touchy steering response is going to take some getting used to, but already loving it.