Recumbent - racing recumbents?

Why do people race bents? What's the point?


So they can go faster at time trials than people who are cycling coaches with fancy DFs and team outfits.

Why do people race bents? What's the point?

What's the point of racing ANYTHING?? (If ya wanna be that way about it...)

SP

Why do people race bents? What's the point?

Yup, there is such a thing as a stupid question. Google Sam Whittingham, will ya?

Just because it is fun? Isn't that a sufficient reason? I enjoy racing, even though I don't win too much. I still like it and I do the best time I can.

And by the way, I was just over in the road cycling forum. A guy was asking for advice about penis numbness on his road bike. Someone recommended a recumbent but that was immediately disdained as a cry for help?
I have never understood the anti recumbent ranting. I have ridden many bikes, have never not had a bike, and I have enjoyed them all. I began riding recumbents because they are so cool. Why different geometry makes a difference is a bit of mystery, at least to me. So, I guess I just don't care what those boyos think.

Anyway race on mates, I hope to see you guys on the starting line.

Why do people race bents? What's the point?
So they can go faster at time trials than people who are cycling coaches with fancy DFs and team outfits.

BOOM! LOL

'Tis true, I go way faster on my lowracer than I ever did on my wedgie. Faster is ALWAYS better!

These lowracers can get up to a good speed
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1195/729654432_d69ad20d42_b.jpg

point the road up a bit. see where the race is then. check and mate

Take them off-road and they slow down a bit too. On the other hand, they have the advantage on flats, downhills, tailwinds and headwinds. IOW, everywhere that ISN'T pointing up. DFs are optimized for climbing but they suck everywhere else.

point the road up a bit. see where the race is then. check and mate

Keep that rider out of a peloton where it's one-on-one, and I win. Also if it's only up "a bit" then I still win. Honestly most of the times that I pass a nice fast peloton is going uphill, because they slow down more than I do. They catch back up to me at the top, but then we're on the downhill and there's no catching me.

However, if we're talking alpe d'huez, then yes, I'll lose.

Talking of going uphill.....How much does someting like an Optima Baron weigh ? Having ridden with a guy on one I must say i was very impressed with its speed on the flat.

They're about 27 pounds, give or take. They will weigh less with the carbon seat and rim brakes. And the OEM seat pad weighs a bundle; so replacing it with a zotefoam pad really helps. I've seen them weight-weenied down to 20 pounds, but I wouldn't want to ride it that way on a tour.

I dunno how you could get a baron down to 20. I had mine full carbon except for crank and front fork. Add a hollow chain to that and you're talking 23.5. How could you get it any lighter?

point the road up a bit. see where the race is then. check and mate

See you and raise you:

The "RAO Speedwagon" team did that a couple years ago in Race Across Oregon. Two days, 508 miles, 50,000 feet of climbing, and a finish 6,000 feet higher than the start. Read about it:
http://www.ohpv.org/albums/rao2005/index.htm
http://www.ultracycling.com/results/rao2005.html

Obviously, Scuzzy was just trolling. He's probably never even *seen* a recumbent before, so he's just talking out his @ss. Like some guys Chris and I, um, 'gave the demo' on RAGBRAI last week, he has no idea.

Obviously, Scuzzy was just trolling. He's probably never even *seen* a recumbent before, so he's just talking out his @ss. Like some guys Chris and I, um, 'gave the demo' on RAGBRAI last week, he has no idea.

I had a fellow recumbent rider tell me that someone passed him riding a yellow Baron on RAGBRAI. He said the guy was "fast". When he saw me riding a Baron I had instant respect.

I had a fellow recumbent rider tell me that someone passed him riding a yellow Baron on RAGBRAI. He said the guy was "fast". When he saw me riding a Baron I had instant respect.

That was most likely me. At least, I didn't see any other Barons on the trip. I passed on downhills, uphills, and everything in between. It was especially funny to watch DF riders try to latch on behind me at the bottom of a climb. Inevitably, they would give up after 3-5 seconds, when it became apparent they had no chance. :roflmao2:

I tried to make a point of greeting the recumbent riders I saw, although I wasn't always able to due to traffic or speed difference.