SWB -vs- LWB; USS -vs- OSS

[oldacura]

What are the advantages / disadvantages of SWB -vs- LWB? And for SWBs: the advantages / disadvantages of USS -vs- OSS?

A friend with an older Vision SWB converted it from USS to OSS. I have only ridden an SWB with USS. It felt very confortable and natural.

For USS: the slack span of the chain has to go over the bars & cables. Does this create problems?

[cat0020]

Just what I could think of:

SWB pro: Weight less, more compact, easier to transport, take up less room in the garage/house, more nimble in city traffic.

SWB con: Less stable, quick/sensitive steering, danger of the front wheel rub against feet during tight turns.

USS pro: Less likely to have arm fatigue for long distance riding, weight less than OSS (less cable/housing length).

USS con: wider profile, less capable in tight traffic situation.

[oldacura]

Thanks -

Also, I notice that I feel more vulnerable (wider) along the shoulder of the road with the USS than I do on a DF bike. Is this something you get used to?

[cat0020]

That's rather personal.. I much rather be narrower on a OSS and able to sneak between tightly parked cars at a traffic light. If I hit anything on my recumbent, it will be hit by my chainrings, preferably... not with my knuckles.

[BlazingPedals]

SWB pro: the front wheel is protected by the boom so that you cannot touch it to someone's rear wheel in a crowded situation. Hitting your front wheel can put you down on the pavement right now; in fact it's probably the most common reason for pacelines going down. I've touched my foot to someone's rear wheel twice this year, with no bad results (both their fault.)