Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.Dahon.Steve
01-07-02, 08:37 PM
I just test rode my first recumbent (BikeE AT Version) and have fallen in love. That bent has completely changed my mind about cycling forever. I have been using folding bikes for years thinking they were the greatest thing in the world. I was wrong. I’m glad I discovered this forum since I never would have bothered to even look at recumbents if it weren’t for these postings. As a result, I have decided to sell ALL of my folding bikes in the summer except one since I’ll need it for commuting purposes. In place of all my folders will be a brand new Bike E.
I have noticed that my exercise induced asthma is getting worse as I get older. From what I understand, a straight upright diamond frame bike only allows you to use about 60 to 70
percent of your lung capacity since the rider is bent over. As a result, I often find myself gasping for air after only 15 blocks and making frequent breaks to recover if I’m in a headwind.
The Bike E has changed all of that. The seating position allows me to use all of my lung capacity giving me the ability to ride for hours even with my condition.. I don’t understand why no recumbent dealer or anyone for that matter makes a point of this incredible benefit. We often hear the benefits of recumbents for individuals suffering from arthritis or back problems but never for asthmatics. I wonder why?
Yesterday I test rode a Bike E in Manhattan and rode it for over 60 blocks. I was concerned at first since the Bike E is heavy and the weight might have made my condition worse. Boy was I wrong. I was barely out of breath and most of it was in a headwind! On my folder (Brompton) I would have been exhausted to no end. I can no longer ignore the fact that age has finally caught up on me and it’s time to change strategy. As I returned to deliver my rented Bike E I spotted an older gentlemen riding a small folding bike struggling big time on a 3 speed. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him as I passed him in pure comfort. I’ve come the conclusion that it’s time to change.
I have noticed that my exercise induced asthma is getting worse as I get older. From what I understand, a straight upright diamond frame bike only allows you to use about 60 to 70
percent of your lung capacity since the rider is bent over. As a result, I often find myself gasping for air after only 15 blocks and making frequent breaks to recover if I’m in a headwind.
The Bike E has changed all of that. The seating position allows me to use all of my lung capacity giving me the ability to ride for hours even with my condition.. I don’t understand why no recumbent dealer or anyone for that matter makes a point of this incredible benefit. We often hear the benefits of recumbents for individuals suffering from arthritis or back problems but never for asthmatics. I wonder why?
Yesterday I test rode a Bike E in Manhattan and rode it for over 60 blocks. I was concerned at first since the Bike E is heavy and the weight might have made my condition worse. Boy was I wrong. I was barely out of breath and most of it was in a headwind! On my folder (Brompton) I would have been exhausted to no end. I can no longer ignore the fact that age has finally caught up on me and it’s time to change strategy. As I returned to deliver my rented Bike E I spotted an older gentlemen riding a small folding bike struggling big time on a 3 speed. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him as I passed him in pure comfort. I’ve come the conclusion that it’s time to change.