Recumbent - Understeering: How to mount and dis-mout

I recently purchased A Blaze Understeering Recumbent Bicycle. I had tried recumbent bikes before buying and loved them. I did not trying the under-steering before ordering one online, bad idea. I can not figure out out to get on and off the thing gracefully, since the handle bars are under my legs and and between me and the peddles. I am trying to get down to dating weight, see the country and meet new people. Would rather do so without being covered in road rash.
Thanks in advance.

My rider isn't so low as yours, so hopefully, I can offer a realistic suggestons. Practice with balancing at low speeds, so you can brake without putting your feet down. Don't put your feet down until at a full brake, or extremely close to it.

I tried a tadpole before buying and didn't like it. It felt too low and out of control with the joystick steering.

Good luck with your riding. I hear that it takes 4-6 weeks to adapt to the different bike style, so you will get there.

When I'm coming to a stop and will be getting off the bike I (after unclipping first) slow down, lower my feet and then brake fairly quickly letting the forward momentum bring me to my feet standing. Kinda freeks some people when they see me stand up so quickly from being so laid back.

These hints assume you have SPD pedals or similar. If you don't, just replace "clip in" with "place". It also assumes that your dominant side is your right one.

GETTING STARTED: Engage your brakes. Sit down and lean back with both feet on the ground. Lean the bike slightly to the left. Clip in with your right foot, with the pedal in the optimum push position (high and slightly forward), while your left foot is on on the ground. When you're ready to go, push explosively with your right foot to get forward momentum. Then raise your left foot and clip it in.

STOPPING: unclip your left foot after you begin slowing down but before you stop. Lower your left foot near the ground just prior to stopping. When you've reached the moment you want to stop, brake completely and also steer slightly left, causing the bike to lean towards your left foot. You will stop with your left foot on the ground and your right foot still on the pedal.

AFTER STOPPING AND BEFORE STARTING: Stand on your left foot while your right foot stays clipped in. Keep the brakes engaged. Pedal backwards to get your right foot in the optimum push position (high and slightly forward). (Ideally, you would do that before stopping.) Then you're ready to start again.

ADVANCED PRACTICE: practice pedalling in complete circles using only one foot. Practice starts from a dead stop on a challenging incline. Don't do either of these in traffic.

That's good advice, but what to do if you can only reach the ground with the tips of your toes. I had my Haluzak Hybrid Race for several months now, I have tried several times to ride it. Once riding it's no problem, but when I have to stop and start up again, I run into the same problem. Very unstable when sitting still.

The seat can't be adjusted and now stuck with the height. I am ready to sell the bike because I can't seem to get it right.

I would love a practical answer to this problem ( minus selling this beautiful bike )

GETTING STARTED: Engage your brakes. Sit down and lean back with both feet on the ground. Lean the bike slightly to the left.

I disagree with 'leaning'.

Launching the bike while it's leaning causes unavoidable weaving. And at such slow speeds, particularly when on gravel, can be hazardous. As I said before, the rider MUST be able to comfortably hold the bike vertical, while seated, during launching.


That's good advice, but what to do if you can only reach the ground with the tips of your toes.Lower the seat or get a bike that 'fits' properly.

That's good advice, but what to do if you can only reach the ground with the tips of your toes. I had my Haluzak Hybrid Race for several months now, I have tried several times to ride it. Once riding it's no problem, but when I have to stop and start up again, I run into the same problem. Very unstable when sitting still.

The seat can't be adjusted and now stuck with the height. I am ready to sell the bike because I can't seem to get it right.

I would love a practical answer to this problem ( minus selling this beautiful bike )

I have no idea what you wheel sizes are, but maybe going with a slightly smaller front wheel can lower the seat enough so you don't have to sell it.

Good luck.

I have Primo comet 20 x 1.35 on the front, can't get anything smaller, someone suggested that I put a 16 inch fork and tire on the front, that might lower it enough. I Just have to find it now.

Other than the answers already given (smaller wheels, different fork), the only additional solution I can offer is to use MTB shoes (if you aren't already). That would increase your effective leg length by maybe a centimeter, plus offer better traction. However, I don't think that will solve your problem if you're on your tippy-toes.

Regarding "leaning": if you are clipped it with one foot and wish to stay stopped while standing on the other foot, you must "lean", however slightly. In your case, I think the lean would be extreme and probably unsafe: you should be just shy of vertical, not visibly canted to one side.

Good luck!