Recumbent - Superman Recumbent?

Do any of you all know if anyone's mass-producing a "superman" style recumbent bike (i.e. one where you lie on your stomach and pedal with your legs behind you)?

I've seen a few handmade / freak style bikes like this on the internet, and they look like tremendous fun (albeit with some inherent risks, like if you hit something, it's face-first), so if you know if any sources of information on these, please post up here.

It's a stretch to say that even the highest-selling 'bents are 'mass-produced'. Doubt if there are more than a small number of the bikes you describe. I've only seen pictures of a few.
Post this question on bentrideronline.com, too.

those aren't recumbents. Those are prone bikes. And they're all one-of-a-kinds essentially.

Compared to the supine styles that have evolved with rider on back, prone has two primary disadvantages: weight is borne on the chest which interferes with breathing, and to see forward the rider must hold their neck back at a considerable angle.

I recall pics of one-off speed experiments, but haven't heard of anyone riding one regularly. Putting the feet back by the rear wheel can save drivetrain weight. One experimenter rode on their back, head first, navigating with either a mirror or digicam/monitor.

There may be some out there doing it prone, but I doubt there's any volume to the numbers.

Compared to the supine styles that have evolved with rider on back, prone has two primary disadvantages: weight is borne on the chest which interferes with breathing, and to see forward the rider must hold their neck back at a considerable angle.

I recall pics of one-off speed experiments, but haven't heard of anyone riding one regularly. Putting the feet back by the rear wheel can save drivetrain weight. One experimenter rode on their back, head first, navigating with either a mirror or digicam/monitor.

There may be some out there doing it prone, but I doubt there's any volume to the numbers.

It takes some effort to make something unique in the HPV world. This comes close:
http://www.futurebike.ch/FB_Web_WM99/foto/131.html
http://www.futurebike.ch/FB_Web_WM99/foto/131.jpg

There's an article about prone bikes in the back issues of HPV News. Have a look here:
http://www.ihpva.org/HParchive/PDF/23-v7n2-1988.pdf

It takes some effort to make something unique in the HPV world.

Yes, that certainly is unique. The "lucky pierre" tandem.

Thanks for the article!

*snort* yeah, as if spandex doesn't make you look gay enough.

When I look at the photo above, the saying "unless you are the lead dog in the team, the view never changes" comes to mind for the fellow in the back. At least the second person is above so his view does change.

When I look at the photo above, the saying "unless you are the lead dog in the team, the view never changes" comes to mind for the fellow in the back. At least the second person is above so his view does change.

This'll fix that problem:
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_DQ4huHVgTkI/Sar4AiDlSJI/AAAAAAAAEKM/V-DjNzdYpTY/s640/DSCN0598.JPG

More photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26208450@N02/sets/72157612491500621/

It takes some effort to make something unique in the HPV world. This comes close:
http://www.futurebike.ch/FB_Web_WM99/foto/131.html
http://www.futurebike.ch/FB_Web_WM99/foto/131.jpg

There's an article about prone bikes in the back issues of HPV News. Have a look here:
http://www.ihpva.org/HParchive/PDF/23-v7n2-1988.pdf

That must be one heck of a heavy-duty crank on there. :lol: