My brothers best friend throughout his childhood happens to own the LBS. I was getting a tune up today and he asked if I was jealous of my bro. I asked for what, and he informed me that even though I have spent hundreds in his store, he gave my bro a bike for Christmas. My bro doesnt even ride:mad:. But that is why he gave it to him hoping it would get him started:). My bro lives out of town and the bike was left at moms until he can pick it up. So, I called mom and informed her I was going to steal the bike until such time.
I took it for a 5 miler today. It wasn't what I was expecting. The front wheel is to far back, which made it squirly. I never went down, but was scared a few times. I hope my bro will get use to it before he gives up on it. He is a clyde as well, only no real consistant excersize.
Any suggestions on what to tell him to keep the motivation?
Let him know that he can get these benefits as well.
b_young
01-05-08, 04:55 PM
Thanks Tom, willdo
You have a bent or two don't you. Any advise to give a newbe? I will post this in the bent section too.
Tom Stormcrowe
01-05-08, 05:03 PM
My wife rides a bent, it's a Sun EZ3 trike though. The main thing about a bent 2 wheeler is that it will feel strange until you get used to it. All I can tell you is ride, ride, ride :D At low speed it will be wobbly and you may have issue with hills.
It's also very important to keep a high cadence on a bent, because you can dig in to the seat back and generate a whole lot more power than your knees will be able to stand on a hill. You can blow out your knees trying to horse it up a hill in too big a gear.
coyboy
01-05-08, 07:32 PM
B, your brother is lucky to have such a friend. I looked at the pics you posted and that is a SWB bent which some feel is the hardest to ride. I rode both types and decided I liked the SWB better. It just feels more like a bike. I was real twitchy the first few miles too. In fact I am just now getting to where I can start without going all over the road. I went for my longest bike ride ever today and yes I am tard but not wasted. I rode 34 miles with my friend who got a V-Rex (very similar geometry to the one your brotehr is getting) but rode 3 miles over to his house. we then rode in his truck to our destination. My Cafe seems like a compromise between his bike and the LWB. In fact I think it is clasified as a CLWB (compact long wheel base). I think the V-Rex is a slightly better climber but mine is more comfortable over bumbs. Both seem about the same on flat ground. Ride it some more (too make sure it is safe and tuned good for your brother...) but be careful or you will have to have one.
Coy Boy
cat0020
01-05-08, 08:08 PM
Short Wheel Base recumbents have quicker steering that regular diamond frame bicycles, the trick is keep you head up, focus some where down the road, look where you want to go, rather than where you are.. if you're constantly looking down, you're more likely to go down.
Hold on to the handlebar lightly, use the smallest effort to steer, speed could be your friend to keep the recumbent more stable. Check out the recumbent section on this forum, you may get more helpful tips.
Good luck.
ang1sgt
01-06-08, 12:11 PM
Sweet looking new bike! Not looked at many Sun Recumbents, but I like what I see in yours to be sure. Disc Brakes! Wow, that thing must stop on a dime! I wonder what the trail and rake of that front fork is? Mmmmmmm.....
b_young
01-06-08, 04:17 PM
I took it out again today for 8 miles. I feel a little more comfortable on it. But it is real twitchy especially if you are at a low cadence. It seems that I need to spin fast or coast, nothing in between.
CB
I haven't ridden a long wheel based one but I think it would be better.
I took it out again today for 8 miles. I feel a little more comfortable on it. But it is real twitchy especially if you are at a low cadence. It seems that I need to spin fast or coast, nothing in between.
CB
I haven't ridden a long wheel based one but I think it would be better.
Sgt,
What is a trail and rake?
I felt real twitchy till my 3rd ride. Which happend to be after about 30 miles. I rode 38 miles yesterday which is my longest ride ever. I felt great. my legs are a little sore today and so are my shoulders which seems strange. Anyways, you might like a LWB better. If you get serious about getting one just try several if you can. I will say my Bacchetta Cafe (compact/simi long wheel base) is a great starter bent but you might want a different one.
ang1sgt
01-07-08, 06:02 AM
Can't better THAT description that Tom posted.
Slow speed stuff on a Recumbent comes with practice. Slow speed figure "8"'s in a parking lot is one way to gain confidence in the bike and improve your skills. Sometimes. "Heal Strike" can be an issue on some small wheelbase recumbents, and here again, gaining experience on the bike will improve your form to be sure.