Recumbent - Is it that complicated

Lordy, Lordy. I have never heard of so many things to consider in buying a bent. At first I thought buying a bike was buying a bike. Now I'm totally mixed up. Twitchy, USS vs OSS, short wheel base vs long, mesh seats vs solid seats, foot numbness, spinning.etc, etc. Man is this all that complicated? I've never been on a bent. At first I thought that I was going to have a blast, now I'm totally scared to try it. I ordered a Jet Stream from Action Bent. Should be here in about 4 weeks. Is all this real or are people simply trying to complicate something that to me should be relatively easy.? Unless I'm a total dummy. I've riden bikes all my life, riden motorcyckes, roller blades, ice skates. I'm 62 yrs old, active and always looking to try new adventures. No bent dealer in my area so can't try before. Boy am I anxious to experience all that twitching, numbness, long turns, spinning, pot holes, etc, etc.

Someone tell me that this will not be that complicated and that miserable. I just want to have fun.

Making a decision on what 'bent to buy is more complicated then buying a wedgie.

But trust me and all the other 'bent riders here, its worth it. Once you get used to riding you'll wonder why you didn't buy one sooner.

Originally posted by jpanna
Someone tell me that this will not be that complicated and that miserable. I just want to have fun.

It will not be that complicated and that miserable. ;)

Seriously though. It may be slightly complex at first. I was glad I had a LBS to give me a small lesson. As far as miserable, NO WAY! Miserable is a word that could describe riding a traditional bike. At least for me. On the bent it's comfort cruising. You will definitely have fun.

**Your experience may vary. I'm a newbie to 'bents**

GotBent

I think that sometimes people make it a lot harder than it really is... Pretty much you will probably like a style more than others... then the only things that count are fit (particularly important) and budget (very important if you're married) :D
After that I believe that you will adapt to what ever you choose to ride.
The important thing is to get riding... other things can be changed:D

What's OSS & USS?

Dave,
OSS or ASS is Over Seat Steering or Above Seat Steering (Bike-E, Rans etc.)
Uss is Under Seat Steering (Vision, Turner etc)

There are no "rules" as to how a recumbent should look. So there are many diffrent types offered.

I feel your pain. This summer I bought my first bent and I was so confused. I researched everything I could find on the net. Then I decided to find a LBS that actually had them in the store. I was travelling to Florida for vacation so I decided to find one there. Atlantic Bicycles in Margate FL happened to fairly close to where we were staying in Boca Raton. I spent several days there trying out different bikes, and the fellows there were great to assist. I rode LWB, SWB CLWB and even rode a catrike tadpole trike. This was well worth my time, but when I got home I still had to drive 6 hours to get to a shop that carried the bike I settled on. Hands on is the only way and definately worth the investment.

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I feel your pain. This summer I bought my first bent and I was so confused. I researched everything I could find on the net. Then I decided to find a LBS that actually had them in the store. I was travelling to Florida for vacation so I decided to find one there. Atlantic Bicycles in Margate FL happened to fairly close to where we were staying in Boca Raton. I spent several days there trying out different bikes, and the fellows there were great to assist. I rode LWB, SWB CLWB and even rode a catrike tadpole trike. This was well worth my time, but when I got home I still had to drive 6 hours to get to a shop that carried the bike I settled on. Hands on is the only way and definately worth the investment.
[B]

Thanks for reply. I did buy a bent from Actionbent at www.actionbent.com. Bought the Jet Stream USS. I just received it but it had the wrong rear casette gearing, 9 instead of 8. I now have to wait for the proper casette and have it assembled by a local bike shop. All the reviews I read were favorable. We'll see when I start riding.

Bent designs are simply more diverse than other categories of bikes, hence a rider's perception of comfort, speed, handling, looks, etc. may vary among them. One quality all bents share is the pure fun of riding them - your Jet Stream will certainly be no exception.

It's also an amazing value at about $700! I paid three times that for my OSS SWB three years ago, not that I've ever regretted it. Like you, I also bought my first and only bent without ever having ridden one (but only after doing hours of research.) 5000 miles later, I'm happy to say it is the best bike I've ever ridden. You, too, will be wearing a silly recumbent grin - it's just that great!

Let's hear from you soon. Actionbent sounds like it has great potential in promoting recumbents with its more affordable prices.

Just to keep this discussion going, I am getting closer to buying a bent. Have riden oss bikes but have an interest in uss bikes. I have some carpal tunnel which makes my hands fall asleep and think the uss would be more comfortable with this. What are the opinions of which is more enjoyable, harder to ride, etc?

Thanks, Lowell

Lowell,

A lot of first time bent riders have a hard time with USS, mostly due to having always having the handle bars in front of them. At first it may feel wierd not to have something in front of you.

I have bikes with both USS (Hypercycle, Vision R40, Slipstream) and OSS. (Screamer, Bike-E, Slipstream) I find that I enjoy the USS more. So much infact that I have switched the Slipstrem to USS, And have been working on a way to switche the Screamer over to USS. I like how open it feels not having anything in the way.

On any recumbent USS or OSS you don't support your upper body with your arms. So you should have no problems with carpal tunnel.

Lowell,

A lot of first time bent riders have a hard time with USS, mostly due to having always having the handle bars in front of them. At first it may feel wierd not to have something in front of you.

I have bikes with both USS (Hypercycle, Vision R40, Slipstream) and OSS. (Screamer, Bike-E, Slipstream) I find that I enjoy the USS more. So much infact that I have switched the Slipstrem to USS, And have been working on a way to switche the Screamer over to USS. I like how open it feels not having anything in the way.

On any recumbent USS or OSS you don't support your upper body with your arms. So you should have no problems with carpal tunnel.


I am the person who originated the msg "is it that complicated" Well here I am the pround owner of a new Actionbent Jetstream USS. Can't tell you how excited I am with my new toy. My first ride was a little stressful, a little trouble getting the thing going straight. But Lo and Behold, one day after, my wife just can't keep me home. I just love this thing. Never having tried an OSS, I am not qualified to opiniate on the OSS. I find USS totally easy to master and a blast to ride. And, NO, it is not that complicated but a whole lot of fun.

why'd you have to go and make things so complicated?

Though I had problem on my hybrid bike with sometimes extreme hand numbness. I've never once had a problem with hand numbness on my bent. It's an oss.
But what is a CLWB?

and what's ass steering? is it like the guy who set the "backwards" our record who had to sit on the bars?

Whippet, please be kind. People do read these things and do get some value from them.

best to edit this one else i'll get told 'orf.

Lordy, Lordy. I have never heard of so many things to consider in buying a bent. At first I thought buying a bike was buying a bike. Now I'm totally mixed up. Twitchy, USS vs OSS, short wheel base vs long, mesh seats vs solid seats, foot numbness, spinning.etc, etc. Man is this all that complicated? I've never been on a bent. At first I thought that I was going to have a blast, now I'm totally scared to try it. I ordered a Jet Stream from Action Bent. Should be here in about 4 weeks. Is all this real or are people simply trying to complicate something that to me should be relatively easy.? Unless I'm a total dummy. I've riden bikes all my life, riden motorcyckes, roller blades, ice skates. I'm 62 yrs old, active and always looking to try new adventures. No bent dealer in my area so can't try before. Boy am I anxious to experience all that twitching, numbness, long turns, spinning, pot holes, etc, etc.

Someone tell me that this will not be that complicated and that miserable. I just want to have fun.

jpanna,

I don't find my Bacchetta Strada to be complicated as long as I don't turn too sharply and bang my foot down on top of the front tire. This can be rather disconcerting, but I've learned how to avoid doing it. Now everything is smooth sailing.

enjoy.

Michael

Though I had problem on my hybrid bike with sometimes extreme hand numbness. I've never once had a problem with hand numbness on my bent. It's an oss.
But what is a CLWB?

CLWB is Compact Long Wheel Base. Generally considered to be when the bottom bracket (pedals) are very near the fork head.