Recumbent - a few newbie questions for you experts

I now have my Counterpoint Presto, mentioned in a previous post. I've done a few little rides around the neighborhood, just to get the feel of the thing, and it's pretty nice. Tomorrow or the next day I'm going to try a longer ride, see how that feels.

My questions are based mostly on hearsay:

I've heard recumbents don't climb well. Is there any truth to that, and if so, why or how? I'm a spinner, not a masher; and I never, ever, stand up on the pedals of a regular bike; so will this climbing thing bother me?

I've heard short crank arms recommended for recumbents. Anyone know why that is-- is it only to better fit under a fairing, or is there some other reason? Who here uses short crank arms; and how short? I generally like short crank arms, so I've ordered a pair of 140's... but I may have to get new chain rings to use them.

What does DF stand for? I gather it refers to a regular bike, but what's the connotation?

What are the good online sources for recumbent-specific bike gear? I've found Hostel Shoppe, pretty impressive, but I don't know enough about the subject to make use of it yet. Any other recommendations?

Are there recumbent-specific racks, or rack trunks, or anything like that, for carrying large amounts of gear? There's that huge area behind the seat that seems ideal for luggage, but I haven't seen a rack designed to make good use of it. Suggestions? What about other kinds of luggage/ gear carriers, especially for stuff you can reach while riding? Are there good under-the-seat options?

DF - Diamond Frame

I've heard recumbents don't climb well. Is there any truth to that, and if so, why or how? I'm a spinner, not a masher; and I never, ever, stand up on the pedals of a regular bike; so will this climbing thing bother me?

You're in New Jersey, not West Virginia. Don't sweat the hills. You may be a little slower than you'd be on an upright, but nothing worse than that.



I've heard short crank arms recommended for recumbents. Anyone know why that is-- is it only to better fit under a fairing, or is there some other reason? Who here uses short crank arms; and how short? I generally like short crank arms, so I've ordered a pair of 140's... but I may have to get new chain rings to use them.

Since you can't stand and mash, spinning is usually recommended. Short cranks help you spin. The downside is, you NEED to spin to generate any power. There is no right or wrong, it's a tradeoff and mostly personal preference.



What does DF stand for? I gather it refers to a regular bike, but what's the connotation?

DF = Diamond Frame, referring of course to upright bikes.

Check out www.bentrideronline.com There is a wealth of info there to all yuour question . Not saying this site is bad , just bentride is dedicated to bents

Hostel shoppe has great selection and service. Unlike Nashbar, they're not The Close-Out Kings!

I "felt" like the longer 180mm cranks on one of my 'bents was easier to pedal than the standard 170mm.

...
What are the good online sources for recumbent-specific bike gear? I've found Hostel Shoppe, pretty impressive, but I don't know enough about the subject to make use of it yet. Any other recommendations?

Are there recumbent-specific racks, or rack trunks, or anything like that, for carrying large amounts of gear? There's that huge area behind the seat that seems ideal for luggage, but I haven't seen a rack designed to make good use of it. Suggestions? What about other kinds of luggage/ gear carriers, especially for stuff you can reach while riding? Are there good under-the-seat options?
1. Go to Bentrider Online (http://www.bentrideronline.com/) for lots of other recumbent bike retailers.

2. On Bentrider Online (http://www.bentrideronline.com/), see Arkel, Terracycle, and the Fastback line that Terracycle now owns for racks and bags. Ortlieb also just came out with some recumbent-specific bags which probably are not yet available for purchase. Note that underseat bags both keep the weight low (good) and distributed over both wheels (also good). If you put heavy loads on a back rack on some recumbents (particularly short wheel base ((SWB)) designs), you can have too little weight on the front wheel which is bad for bike handling.

My favorite bent shop is bentupcycles in california. Dana is a really superb guy. Having great performance on a bent takes time to build up the new muscles - it's really more about the engine than the bike. I outclimb almost every rider near me on an individual basis. On the bigger hills I get dropped by a pack, but it doesn't take long for me to blow them by again.

Short cranks are good since they make you spin faster, and that's good for the knees. I personally don't notice much difference, but they can help if you're getting knee pain.

Swapped my road crank (30/42/52) for a mtb crank (22/32/44) and my HiRacer climbs like a mountain goat now.

Also put some crank shorteners on and tried em out today. Cranks are 80mm (well short i know :thumb:) and i love em