Recumbent - Front wheel DF conversion? In ice?

I'm getting annoyed by the pounding my wrists take in my commute - I can't get a vertical enough position on the damn DF MTB, and the gusty headwinds I deal with every morning without fail beat me up. I am, however, on a budget. I also live in a vertically dramatic region, in Alaska, and have to deal with two large hills - I changed the gearing on my MTB to be able to spin up them, but driveways still bring me out of the seat. The weather today is about 5f, and I expect to be riding in colder, and I use studded Nokians (which don't come in 20") to deal with the ice and snow.
Because of the wrists and annoying headwinds, i've been considering some form of bent.
While doing research, I stumbled across this item: http://www.cruzbike.com/conversions.html

Has anyone tried one of those? Any opinions? Enough experience to know how they might perform, or not perform, on dodgy icy roads?

You should post this question on the Cruzbike forums.I ride a Cruzbike here in So Calif so dont have any ice. I do ride on sandy bike paths and prefer fwd to rear wd.The only place where you might have a problem is on steep hills. Jack

http://www.nashbar.com/nashbar_photos/250/DE-ASR-K-FRONT.jpg

This will give you 3.5" extra height (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?sku=4264) on your bars at low cost. I have zero desire to ride a bent in ice and snow - especially uphill. I think trying to make your existing bike more comfortable would be a good idea - at least for the winter. Come summer a bent could be a great commuter.

http://www.universalcycles.com/images//products/medium/16233.jpg

Besides the stem riser how about some different handle bars? These bars (http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=16233&category=371) combined with a higher stem would take a lot of pressure off your wrist & neck p[lus give you lots of leverage on the bars for control in messy conditions.

What's the trouble with bents in snow, exactly?

What's the trouble with bents in snow, exactly?

Balance is harder. You can't use body english to balance at low speeds, your feet aren't right underneath you in case you have to biff. Also, you can't vary your weight distribution by moving forward and back on the seat (not much anyway.) Add to that, you can't stand on hills climbs.

A looong time ago, I spent a few years at Elmendorf AFB. Coached HS diving at Chugiak HS. Favorite destinations in the summer were Hatcher Pass, and salmon fishing at Willow Creek. Good memories...

I love my bent, but when the snow came the commute got ugly on the bent I ended up going to a 29 er with studs back and front. I went to buy some studded tires from a bent dealer in Vancouver (not exactly snow capitol of the world) and though he had them advised me not to buy them and suggested a trike, or mtn bike for the commute till the snow clears I took his advise.


I think a trike with studded tires may be fine but if the snow is deep and wheels are small you may have some concerns with derailer clearance.

Trike people tend to say that trikes are great for snow. I don't understand. Good for slippery, yes; but you've got 3 wheel tracks to push through the snow instead of one, (OK, two if you're wobbling a lot) plus most tadpole trikes put your butt about 4-6 inches off the ground. I'd be more worried about having a pile of snow in my lap than having my derailleur drag in the snow.

I'm getting annoyed by the pounding my wrists take in my commute - I can't get a vertical enough position on the damn DF MTB, and the gusty headwinds I deal with every morning without fail beat me up. I am, however, on a budget. I also live in a vertically dramatic region, in Alaska, and have to deal with two large hills - I changed the gearing on my MTB to be able to spin up them, but driveways still bring me out of the seat. The weather today is about 5f, and I expect to be riding in colder, and I use studded Nokians (which don't come in 20") to deal with the ice and snow.
Because of the wrists and annoying headwinds, i've been considering some form of bent.
While doing research, I stumbled across this item: http://www.cruzbike.com/conversions.html

Has anyone tried one of those? Any opinions? Enough experience to know how they might perform, or not perform, on dodgy icy roads?

I moved to Florida.The snow problem went away.We do have stiff winds now and then like 120 MPH But I am not on my bike on the days it is.
Wink

You can read my comment regarding moving bottom bracket FWD in the "Biking without arms" thread - post #29 there. I won't repeat it here because I don't want to sound like I'm being unduly picky.