Greetings Everyone!
I am hoping for some advice from some of the experts on Recumbents. I am really excited about getting started with a Recumbent but the number available and the different terms and types is pretty confusing for someone just starting off.
Unfortunately there are no recumbent shops near me so I really have to get a plan in place before I make the drive to one of the remote bicycle shops that actually carry recumbents. I am 32 and in good physical shape already. However, I don't like riding my upright as the pain it causes in my hands, wrists, and rear end take most of the fun out of the ride for me. Since I don't want to give up riding, and I hate running I want to find a recumbent that fits me and my style of riding.
I am not a really serious rider but my brother and I usually ride around 20mph when we go out together. He is keeping his current bike and I would still like to keep up with him if possible. I would also like something with some ability to attach luggage for some of our longer rides. Also, my price range is around $2000 dollars. Past that I don't have a lot of requirements except for comfort. I am open to both trike and 2 wheel suggestions.
Please help me out with some suggestions or just general advice. I really want to learn and I also want to make the right choice. I know it is important to ride a lot of different bikes, but if I could make the drive to a bike shop armed with some knowledge and different suggestions I think I would get a lot more out of the test rides.

Thank you so much for any help!
-Barrett

Have you thought about getting a proper fit on your upright? A stem/bar/seat change might eliminate all your comfort problems. Worked for me. At first I couldn't stand to be on it for more than 30 minutes or so. Now I can ride for 3-4 hours with no pain.

It would be helpful to know where you are.

I somewhat agree with jo- sometimes getting an upright adjusted to your body is all you need to do. I rode recumbent for 10 years before getting on an upright with a newer seat and found I could ride all day with minimal issues.

But you'll have to pry my recumbent away from my cold, dead hands...

Instead of going to a bike shop, try to find a recumbent bike group instead. A lot of times recumbent riders are pretty easy about loaning bikes for test rides. In fact, that's the best part about the gathering we had over the last weekend:
http://www.recumbentretreat.org/photo_album/details.php?image_id=389
Lots of different folks, lots of different rides, one heck of a potluck dinner!

You might possibly be able to get comfortable on an upright bike but it's a sure thing that you will be comfy on a recumbent. I highly recommend the RANS mesh seat. You can fit a rear rack on most RANS bikes - I have one on my (CLWB) Tailwind and use panniers for commuting to work. The same rack would work on the (SWB) V-Rex that is new to me. I find both bikes comfortable - it seems considerably easier to go faster on the V-Rex. Many 'bents also accept midship racks that let you hang panniers down low.

I am hoping for some advice from some of the experts on Recumbents. I am really excited about getting started with a Recumbent but the number available and the different terms and types is pretty confusing for someone just starting off.

You will find large numbers of recumbent riders and even more opinions at BentRider Online. (http://www.bentrideronline.com/).

My own advice to you is to start planning trips to ride some recumbents, travel far enough to get to at least one of the great shops with a wide selection, and just see what happens.

You will find large numbers of recumbent riders and even more opinions at BentRider Online. (http://www.bentrideronline.com/).

My own advice to you is to start planning trips to ride some recumbents, travel far enough to get to at least one of the great shops with a wide selection, and just see what happens.

bentrideronline is the motherlode of information about 'bents

Barrett, I wish I had tried several bents before buying. We had no selection in Omaha in 1996, when I bought a Linear tandem (double recumbent) for my wife and I in California while on vacation from People Movers in Orange county. Paid to ship it to Omaha only to find out it was manfactured in Iowa, 300 miles from my home! Then, I bought a Bike E (bent) to keep my leg muscles built up when my wife wouldn't ride with me, as the bents require different use of leg muscles.
I also usually rode 20 mph in flatlands of Omaha on regular but bents are slower. I like speed and regularly would do 50 mph on my bikes downhill. The Bike E was unstable at higher speeds like 15 -18 mph, so it lasted a very short time. Next bike was the best!! A $3,000 Easy Racer Gold Rush! XL size as I'm 6'3" and I returned to doing 50+ mph on many rides. It was excellent. Kept it for 8 years and sold it for $2,000 after 8,000 miles. One 600 mile trip in Canadian Rockies self contained! Of the fifteen bikes owned with some owned for 18 years and 25,000 miles, the Easy Racer is the best. It will fit you as they have different sizes. The seats are comfortable. I had a fairing which my wife bought for me as a Christmas present. If doing it again, I would buy the Easy Racer Tour Easy which is steel (the Gold Rush is Aluminum). They used to cost new at $2,000 and I imagine you can check that price. Find the closest dealer or used one for sale. Go try it and take your money as you will truly fall in love. Do not buy the Easy Racer made in the far East. Buy one from Freedom California plant. my wife needs me to get her some medicine so must sign off for now! Chuck Walker