Recumbent - 1st day observations on my shiny new recumbent

Firstly, thanks to everybody here. I've read nearly every post in this and the touring forums, and have spent a year on a hybrid while determining my riding style and deciding what my 'big boy bike' would be. Today I bought a Bacchetta Giro 20.

Per everyone's advice, I rode 7 different recumbents in the last couple of weeks. The LWB's were comfy, but a bit laid back for me...plus the length is problematic for transporting on the Subaru, and I have dearth of storage space. I LOVED the Catrike, but feel that unless there's a 4 foot path or shoulder everywhere I go, the width would be a real problem. When I got on the Giro 26, it took a few tries to start off smoothly, but I thought it might be the one. Then I started grinning before I got fifty feet on the Giro 20 and haven't stopped yet. (The Rans Rocket was a close second, but I got a good deal on a returned Giro with 27 miles on it)

Many posters mentioned that a SWB uses a different muscle set than a DB frame. What yall didn't mention was that we're talking about ABDOMINAL muscles. Before we got the seat position right, I felt like I was doing crunchs. Slid it back a bit and it became a lot easier, but definately working the Abs. I consider this a good thing, as my keyboard pushing cubicle dwelling butt needs all the help it can get.

I was routinely doing 30-40 mile rides on the hybrid, and have done three centuries. I was beat after an hour on the Giro, but am dedicated to getting up to touring strength in a few months. It's apparent that platforms are not going to be efficient or comfortable as I increase distance. I'm not smart enough to learn how to ride a bent and to clip/unclip at the same time. So, I'll go with the platforms for a few weeks, then head back to the LBS for my first tune up and to get some Speedplay Frogs installed.

Again, thanks to all who shared their experience, and see you out on the road. I'll be the guy with a Buccaneers pennant and a grin.

I was already used to spd clipless when I starting riding my Tailwind 2 years ago but rode it for a few weeks with BMX-style platforms before switching to Performance Campus SPD/plain cage dual-style pedals. The plain cage side is useful once in a while for rides around the neighborhood in running shoes.
Expect some leg discomfort in places you haven't experienced it before but that will go away as you develop your bent legs. Be ready for kids to point at you and shout "Look at that!" or "I like your bike!"

I have a Giro 20 with the Euromesh seat for riding 'round the hood and bought the Wife one with the Recurve seat and looking forward to initiating her to bentdom when the weather warms up this spring.

Both are very comfortable bikes. I just bought a Corsa 24 and it's a better go-fast-ish bike and more stable at 25+ mph but I would easily choose the Giro 20 over the higher bottom braket bike for touring.

You made a great choice!

Mike

PS: I ride Frogs on my upright roadie and MB and love them. But Frogs are causing foot pain on the bents with my Sidi Mega Lorica shoes and I'm going to start investigating other options.

Your mileage will vary.

Within 6 months you'll feel like 30-40 miles is a waste of time. You'll be peadalling along so fast and comfortably you won't want to stop for 60 miles at least. I'm doing 130 mile rides often, which I never thought I'd do n a lifetime. A century is just another day.

Congrats!

When you do go clipless, practice unclipping a lot. The crank is at a different position relative to the shoe than on an upright. You may find you get some crank/shoe interference with unclipping in some portions of the stroke, particularly with the shoe cleat moved back as this tends to be more comfortable on a recumbent. Some of us need to modify the shoe's sole, the cleat slots, or both.

There are more than a few threads on clipless pedals & recumbents to search out and read, both here and at 'BentRider Online. Worth searching for and reading before you buy or fail to unclip.

I had a Giro 20 as my first bent and it was a ton of fun good choice, now I have a Hurricane and I flyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

Good points on clipless. I tend to research things to death, which is what lead me to put the Frogs at the top of my list. Since my last surgery, my knee is the best it's been in years. However, the lack of remaining cartilage means arthritis, especially when it's cold. The consensus on the Frogs seems to be that the float is easier on the knees and the recessed clips make it easier to walk. So, the plan -

1. Get the Frogs, put them on the Trek hybrid. Balance in a doorway and clip unclip a thousand times.
2. Take the hybrid out for my standard 10-12 mile dawn rides until the Frogs become second nature.
3. Simultaneously take the Giro on neighborhood rides and build up distances until really comfortable.
4. Move the Frogs to the Giro, repeat doorway exercise.
5. Learn to fly.

Do you have suggestions on the best part of the stroke to unclip on the Giro?

You sound like me, researching things to death. My husband says I get obsessed with things...like my current search for the perfect recumbent for me. I've test ridden a Giro 20 and Agio so far and plan to try more the next decent weather Saturday we get. I'm really leaning toward the Giro 20. Good luck with yours.

[COLOR=black]... Do you have suggestions on the best part of the stroke to unclip on the Giro?

You will probably find it most natural to unclip anywhere from the uppermost part of the stroke on through a bit past the bottom. Do what seems most natural and also test if there are some parts of the stroke where you can not clip out. I found some on my recumbent. I then cut away some shoe sole and modified the cleat angle such that I now can unclip virtually anywhere in the pedaling cycle, including both feet at once.

I think changing the angle at which you unclip on the Frog pedals is a bit different. Search here, BentRider Online, & also Bacchetta's own online forum. As I recall there were some posts about modifications to the Frogs that make unclipping easier if you have problems. Also had some information on maintenance of the Frogs, I think about where to watch out for dirt interfering with unclipping.

... now I have a Hurricane and I flyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

Just like piloting a fighter jet! :D

My first recumbent was a Hurri'.
~Started with a baby seat on it...:rolleyes: (that one's going to be 14 Friday) :eek:
~Added a B-O-B trailer to add mega capacity to the rack & panniers.
~Did a couple of crazy off-road rides. Glad it has rear suspension at least.
~Raced it at the Velodrome in S.J.
~Just had the stem repaired and painted it in Dutch flag colors.

What I like most about it, besides the RIDE?....It has a kickstand!!! :roflmao:

Still have it, still LOVE it! :)

I know what you mean by grinning when you tried the Giro 20. I told the folks at my LBS (120 miles away in Greenville, SC) that the Giro 20 made me "Happy" and I felt like I'd ridden it for years. The Giro 26 was nice but I didn't get anything additional out of the larger front wheel.
I use the Shimano clipless pedals and use the platform side off and on when riding around the neighborhood. That minimizes my falling over when making sudden stops.
and yes, I get the most compliments from kids who say "wow, cool bike"

Just like piloting a fighter jet! :D

My first recumbent was a Hurri'.
~Started with a baby seat on it...:rolleyes: (that one's going to be 14 Friday) :eek:
~Added a B-O-B trailer to add mega capacity to the rack & panniers.
~Did a couple of crazy off-road rides. Glad it has rear suspension at least.
~Raced it at the Velodrome in S.J.
~Just had the stem repaired and painted it in Dutch flag colors.

What I like most about it, besides the RIDE?....It has a kickstand!!! :roflmao:

Still have it, still LOVE it! :) I would tear off a kick stand or it would catch a rock and spin me:D , I do a little off road stuff on my Hurricane the odd time http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXB5gRl7ZcI I use a trailer for all sorts of stuff and love it. not racing yet but wil be roadie hunting again http://www.flickr.com/photos/steeker/1959670523/