Recumbent - Disabled vet, looking for some advice........

Hello all..........new to the Forum, and was hoping you folks could help me out. (Seemed like a good idea to go to the folks most knowledgeable :)

I am a 56 year old disabled VN vet, with asbestoses of the lungs & C.O.P.D. I am also about 30 lbs. overweight, as the steroidal inhalers I take for my breathing make it hard to lose weight.

Anyway........the reason for my visit:
I am looking for information on a good recumbent bike (and, a recommendation as to whether or not I could use it for exercise.) It seems like a good idea to me, but with my lungs, I'm not sure I could. I have very little stamina, and breathing is difficult. I don't plan "marathon" rides, just something for some exercise.

I am looking for recommendations as to: 1) type & brand of bike 2) a good place "online" to possibly purchase the bike (someone trustworthy whom you've done business with, who would be willing to work with my special circumstances.)

I am looking for recommendations as to: 1) type & brand of bike 2) a good place "online" to possibly purchase the bike...

I would recommend a Greenspeed trike!

Here's one...(sorry, less than 24 hours notice)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150209082208&_trksid=p3907.m32&_trkparms=tab%3DWatching

I'd bid, but I'm dumping the budget on a trip to Oregon to see NAHBS*.


*North American Handbuilt Bicycle Show

Thanks for the info. Can you recommend a good online dealer?? (less than 24 hrs. is a bit short.......need more research:)

research would be a good idea... do you have a bike of any sort now? For the distances it sounds like your talking about starting out with, maybe a bent isn't the right choice. Maybe something simpler like a hybrid commuter... mountain bike w/street tires, or a beach cruiser. A lot would depend on how/where you plan on riding... the terrain, distance.

If your talking less than 20 miles, seating isn't that much of a concern.

A recumbent trike might be a good idea... if you get winded, you can just kick back and relax while you recover. Don't know if you'd have any issues getting in and out of one though.

Two wheel bents... the learning curve could mean it stays in the garage, I HIGHLY recommend giving your location and seeing if any dealers are near enough for test rides, or maybe near to any members that pipe in with offers of letting you try their rides out.

Maybe something simple and compact that could be kept by the door, begging you to ride it like a Dahon folding bike.

Bet you could find just a cheap to free bike on your local craigslist, see how it feels to just pedal around. Find out what hurts, feels good... any balance issues, sudden dizziness, shortness of breath that comes on quickly, painful positions?

Since you have identified medical issues, a bike computer or wrist watch with heart monitor so you can get feedback on your effort and keep it in a safe zone is a cheap and pretty much mandatory piece of equipment. Your doctors should be giving you some guidelines as to where you want your heartrate etc. Several people I bike with wear them... pretty cheap these days. I've been thinking about one for training purposes, but presently go by how sweaty I get :)

Definitely a bike is good exercise, I lost about 50lbs in 6 months (most of it in 3). It's just a matter of going a bit further and a bit harder each day. It'll get easier and easier relatively quickly. Find a local group of riders once you feel up to wanting more motivation and join in on group rides.

If your in an urban area where you can... a basket or panniers means you could use shopping etc as excuses to ride.

I would also think a Sun trike mite be a good idea to kick around.That way you do not have to make any kind of speed to stay on it.Depending on how bad your C.O.P.D.is. My wife has it but rides around six miles a day on a Sun beach cruiser and a Giant Revive.On a good day she has done 15 miles with me.
You say flat lander where do you live?

Wink

Hi Oldfogey. Before you decide on a recumbent here's some pros and cons. I have both a recumbent and regular bikes commonly refered to as 'DF' for diamond frames. The rest of you guys chime in if I forget anything. The first pro, very comfortable. Like riding in an easyboy, con, things in your back pockets go ouch. Pro, you don't need special clothes or shorts with padding. Those are the two big ones I can think of. Here's the cons. First, cost. You can but cheap ones and you'll be sorry. Remember the saying buy the best and cry once, buy cheap and cry forever. Second is the size. You can buy a short wheel base but they aren't for everyone. A long wheelbase is more stable but you're not going to get it in most vehicles. You'll need a truck. Third, service. Make sure your LBS will work on it if you can't do your own service. Like I said I have both types each has it's own niche. You might want to look at the local Schwinn shop. They have regular bikes starting at just over $200. If you find out riding isn't for you, not much out of pocket. Stay away from Walmart type bikes. Nothing but trouble. Jim

i'm not endorsing the shop, as I have done no biz there, but check out:

http://www.bicycleman.com/

he has lots of info on a vraiety of brands, along with his impressions.

Can you walk at a brisk pace for an hour or two?

If not, you may want to focus on gradually building up your strength with walking for a few months and move on to riding a bit later in the year.

BentRider Online (http://www.bentrideronline.com/) is a good source of bent information.

After doing a good bit of "poking around" online & locally today, I found what I think will be the best solution for me: a "Sun" Tadpole recumbent trike. I have found a dealer locally that is willing to work with my restrictions, is willing to let me "test drive", and seems to think it would be a perfect choice for me, as do I. Plus, it falls into my price range. I will fit the category of casual rider, and this seems to be suited for just that.

After doing a good bit of "poking around" online & locally today, I found what I think will be the best solution for me: a "Sun" Tadpole recumbent trike. I have found a dealer locally that is willing to work with my restrictions, is willing to let me "test drive", and seems to think it would be a perfect choice for me, as do I. Plus, it falls into my price range. I will fit the category of casual rider, and this seems to be suited for just that.

Compare it to their Delta (EZ3) trike... I personally didn't like getting in and out of their Tadpole and the steering wasn't my style. The delta style (one front wheel/two back) actually has a tighter low speed turning radius, didn't have the pedal steer or brake steer, and seemed more stable with it's longer wheelbase.

And take them both up and down as big a hill as you feel capable of trying out... don't just ride them around in the parking lot. Don't be afraid to take them out for a half hour or so (I'd suggest more and multiple times if others are available, ride one, then the other, then flipflop again).

I've ridden the Sun trikes, some Greenspeeds, Challenge Trike(direct steering), and HP Velotechnik Scorpion FX (my favorite so far). I want to ride the Catrikes, just haven't found any local to try out, also want to try the Trice QNT. If something pops up on your local Craigslist, Ebay, whatever... at least go try it, at the lower end of the price bracket the Actionbent or TW trikes may do what you want better than the Sun trikes. If price isn't a major factor...definitely try a Scorpion FX, I found them to be awesome at maneuvering, little to no brake or pedal steer, quick shifting, comfortable and quick. Also was easy for me to get in and out of.

I think that's a good choice for you. While you should buy the best you can, prices for recumbents don't resemble what most people think of as a price for a bike. Sun makes a good solid trike, although usually a third heavier than the 2-3 thousand dollar trikes. It's also less than half the price of a Greenspeed. I have both a Sun EZ3 and a Greenspeed Gt5 and I love both trikes.

The Sun Tad can have a electric assist motor installed if you decide you need that. Not all trikes support adding a motor assist. I don't notice the extra weight of the trike when riding. Especially on the flat. You can strengthen your legs at your pace, with no fears of falling. If your lungs can be improved with exercise, you'll get that improvement from riding a trike. If they can't be improved, you can ride at your pace, stop and rest as needed.

Getting out in the fresh air will be an enormous benefit to you as it is to all of us. Good Luck!

Hazel

OK, I've been doing TOO MUCH "poking around" :).............I need a comparison between two models:
"Sun Tadpole trike" & "WizWheelz" Terra Trke Cruiser". I'm leaning toward the "WW" although it's a bit more $$$, I like the idea of fewer gears & less complicated. How do they compare in quality??

The WW is supposedly 37 pounds, while the Sun is nearly 50. That's a huge difference for only $300. The difference between an 8-speed cassette and a 9-speed cassette is trivial for the non-racer.

OK, after spending about 1-1/2 hrs. with my local dealer today, I've decided, (after a test ride), to "pull the trigger" on a "WW" "Path". Will fit my needs perfectly, and I can outfit it with lights, kevlar tires, fenders, better pedals & flag for a total of about $1400. Seems like a deal to me :) I'll check back in after I get it here, get it set-up, and it gets warm enough to ride. (about 10 degrees here today)

Sounds like you've made a good choice, waitin' to hear how it works out.

Thank you for serving our country!

Good choice! Start riding a few miles, then work up slowly, and in a year or two you'll probably be riding centuries! Heh!

I think that's a good choice for you. While you should buy the best you can, prices for recumbents don't resemble what most people think of as a price for a bike. Sun makes a good solid trike, although usually a third heavier than the 2-3 thousand dollar trikes. It's also less than half the price of a Greenspeed. I have both a Sun EZ3 and a Greenspeed Gt5 and I love both trikes.

The Sun Tad can have a electric assist motor installed if you decide you need that. Not all trikes support adding a motor assist. I don't notice the extra weight of the trike when riding. Especially on the flat. You can strengthen your legs at your pace, with no fears of falling. If your lungs can be improved with exercise, you'll get that improvement from riding a trike. If they can't be improved, you can ride at your pace, stop and rest as needed.

Getting out in the fresh air will be an enormous benefit to you as it is to all of us. Good Luck!

Hazel
I am desparately trying to find cable lengths to order BIONX kit for my SunTad. No dealer wants to answer my Email.....can you give me any info and tell me what you think of the assist operation? Thanks
Murray Fisher murrayfw@charter.net

Try this link.

http://www.greenspeed.us/bionx_motor_bike_kit.htm

If this doesn't work for you, try Google and look for bionx kit. Dozens of sites pop up.

Hazel

I am desparately trying to find cable lengths to order BIONX kit for my SunTad. No dealer wants to answer my Email.....can you give me any info and tell me what you think of the assist operation?

First, the Path choice is great! I have a pretty old WizWheelz and know from experience that they last and last. I also have a Sun EZ Tad (Tad on steroids in my avatar!) and I sure hope it lasts. Another thanks for aiding our country.

Second, the question above- this electric assist on trikes is such a mystery that getting right cables, wire lengths, and controller or battery positions is pretty much a "hit and miss" addition. I have a hub motor on my Tad and it had to be installed on-the-spot.

No instructions available. Probably not a big conspiracy to ignore E-Trikers! Power-assistance on a Tad has been terrific in my opinion. Best of luck!

countersTrike