Recumbent - Older rider looking at recumbents...

Back in the last century I rode several times per week. Eventually I was forced off my Cannondale ST-700 because of the sheer discomfort - numb hands, wrist problems, sore feet even in good riding shoes, very sore crotch, and so on... It just stopped being fun. Even the mountain bike wasn't enjoyable and I finally just quit.

Unfortunately, 10 years of not riding hasn't been kind (I've grown unmistakably rounder) and I'd like to start riding again. My wife suggested a recumbent, so I've been looking around a little. Here's what I'm after, so I'd love some guidance:

I'm 58 years old, 6'3" with a 32" inseam. I was around 230lbs when riding, but being off the bike for 10 years I'm now at 300. I'm looking to get back into riding for fun, most likely riding less than 20 miles at a time (at least initially), and mostly in light traffic and/or paved bike trails.

I'm not concerned about going blinding fast, but I'd like something that will climb midwestern hills without a lot of agony. And be comfortable for someone my size - which I presume would be helped by something with at least rear suspension. Stability while riding is important (I read the note about the recumbent with the 20" front wheel going into the pothole causing the rider to exit the bike)... From what little I've seen, I believe OSS would be better for me than USS.

I'll most likely transport the bikes in the truck bed or on the back of the 5th wheel when we travel so it'd be nice if they fit...

And, of course, since I'm in Minnesota (near Minneapolis), it'd be great to find something available around here that I could test ride. So, what's a good choice for an old, tall, fat guy that wants to get back into enjoying riding and thinks a recumbent would be a viable choice?

Made in Darby Montana - High quality - Stellar customer service. Broad selection so don't be hesitant to click through their site.

http://www.lightfootcycles.com/ranger.php



Also, you might want to give these folks a visit:

Calhoun Cycle
3342 Hennepin Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55408

How much are you willing to spend? That is going to be a big factor on how good a recumbent you will be able to get. Lighter is better. Higher quality recumbents are a lot more fun to ride and will probably outlast an entry level recumbent and require less maintenance. As to ASS versus USS, that is a personal like or dislike. I happen to own only USS bikes and trikes. If you are lucky, you might just find a used quality recumbent that fits your needs. All but one of my recumbents were bought used, some locally, and some shipped in. Only the trikes cost more than $1,000. Probably the best deal was a 3 year old Haluzak Horizon short wheelbase for $850 with a few accessories. It is light, fast, and with really nice components just seems to work well. Check out the buyer's guide on www.bentrideronline.com for information on a wide range of bikes and trikes. It has all the pro, cons, and approximate price listed.

Price is a factor, but if necessary I"d go up to $2K to get what I'm after...

Is there a particular STYLE of recumbent that is better for "large" riders? Low bottom bracket, high bottom bracket, multiple tubes, mono-tube, long wheelbase, short wheelbase, etc...

I'll have to go up to Calhoun cycle and see what they've got...

If you're less fit now than you used to be or you want to work towards, you might find a LWB with a relatively low BB to be easier to live with, at least where you are now.
Be sure to check suggested weight limits. The RANS V3 is rated for 325# but has a higher BB than the RANS Stratus LE, which is rated for 275#.

Yes, that is your best bet. Get up to Calhoun Cycle and test ride as many bents ( and styles ) as you can. Then go back the next day and take your favorite(s) for a long test ride.

Please remember that 58 is not on this board an "older" rider. Seasoned maybe, but not older.
Namaste, Ken

I like "seasoned"..... I'm going to head up to Mpls to check a couple bike shops and do a bit of research.

I now appears I may need TWO recumbents since my wife, who used to ride some but always had problems with various pains, gave AWAY her bike (to our daughter) when I spoke of getting a recumbent. She's very interested in something that will make riding enjoyable instead of painful.

a recumbent forum: bentrider.com

Went out yesterday and hit the couple shops within 50 miles of me...... Calhoun Cycle had several recumbents in my size. I found the SWB bikes very disconcerting - probably mentally as much as physically. But the LWB were very easy to ride. Took me about 3 tries the first time to get going but once done it got easier.....

I rode a Bellandare and liked it. They didn't have a RANS V3, but they had a V2 and I rode that, but found the higher bottom bracket and more reclined seating less comfortable. I also rode a couple others that were likable.... Then I got on a Stratus XP.... Liked it the best.

I'll have to find some more places, but the brands and numbers here in MN are pretty slim.

Just keep looking and be patient....or go back to the one you like best. Glad to hear that this is something that you are doing together, more fun that way.
I prefer the LWB for comfort too.

I think the Stratus is a great choice to include on your short list. I too really like LWB. I've test rode several and I own a Sun EZ Sport and an Easy Racers Tour Easy. The EZ Sport is a bit higher seating than the Stratus and somewhat heavier and probably slower. I liked the Rans Stratus very much and almost bought one, but I came home with a used Tour Easy instead for just about the same money as a new Stratus. The Stratus is a great machine but the Tour Easy just felt right to me at the time.

I think the Stratus is a great choice to include on your short list.Given the OP's weight, I'd strongly discourage the Stratus. There has been at least one reported Stratus frame failure (with pics) due to exceeding the weight limit. Whatever the choice, a quality, 36 spoke rear wheel should also be high priority.

Given the OP's weight, I'd strongly discourage the Stratus. There has been at least one reported Stratus frame failure (with pics) due to exceeding the weight limit. Whatever the choice, a quality, 36 spoke rear wheel should also be high priority.

Oops, good catch...I totally forgot about the weight limits of the bikes.

Buy the Stratus and let it be motivation to lose the first 25 pounds.

Bacchetta Bella ATT. Rated for 300lbs. Haven't ridden one yet since they are due to come out in May, but I have a Giro 20 and I am happy with it and the company. The owners frequent their forum and answer questions and e-mails directly. http://www.bacchettabikes.com/recumbents/bikes/bellaatt.htm
The seat on that bike is very comfy. When I first got my Giro thats what I had. I was 260 lbs when I started riding it and there was plenty of room for me in it. I only switched after I lost some weight and decided the bike should lose some too.

Better be aware that bents are addictive.. I have three and I have a local friend who has a whole garage full.. I think he is in the process of doing a 12 step program.. :D

I am 6' and weighed 300 when I got my first bent.. I bought a EZ Sport.. it's a one size fits all.. is sturdy and has decent components. I see them on CraigsList every so often.. My next was an ER Gold Rush but that has to be sized to you.. You will likely be between a M/L and a L. This isn't measured by inseam.. rather you measure your X-Seam.. and.. depending on your measurement.. and your "butt" size.. as you lose weight, your X-Seam may shrink.. cuz your butt takes up room in that measurement.. :) Go to www.easyracers.com for that info. My next was a Catrike Expedition.. it's a tricycle "trike". Very nice. No balance issues, easy starting on hills if you had to stop for a breather, etc.. I'd seriously check into trikes.

If you aren't familiar, go to www.bentrideronline.com for more recumbent forums.. some trike specific too.

Good luck in your hunt.

Bill, Healdsburg, CA
www.picturetrail.com/chips

I was about 290 at my heaviest, and ride a Catrike Trail. They are rated (officially) at 275 lbs. But I was up to 290 before my diet started, and added 15-20 lbs of "stuff" and water and snacks and got to riding. I used to ride an Actionbent Jetstream I, short wheelbase recumbent, and had great luck with it, but I'm a mechanic and able to put it together myself after purchase. But, the darn things are a bit unstable in the sand that is everywhere here in south Florida, and I crashed at speed a couple of times. Then an accident at work took me off the bike for nearly a year while my knee healed up. When I was ready to ride again, I went looking at trikes, and settled on a Catrike Trail. I had it upgraded with different cranks, bar end shifters and a long boom to fit my 35" inseam, and have never looked back. The seat is 9" from the ground and takes a little getting used to, but MAN is it fun to ride. And face it, if you have fun riding, you tend to ride more often! Trikes are weird enough to be easy to spot on the road and I get lots of room from the cars on the road. It's comfortable to ride, and a conversation starter if you want to meet new folks. Now for the good news, I got the trike and the upgrades for just a little over the $2K mark.

Good luck looking for a recumbent, but check out a trike!

Went with my wife today to look at what's available locally (locally here is within about 60 miles)...

I wanted her to try one of the LWB recumbents. She found she has a SERIOUS phobia about balancing one of these things. She tried for a good 15 minutes and just wasn't able to get through the process of pushing off and getting her feet up. It's not physical, its some kind of phobia or mental issue or something... She had the same problem when she tried downhill skiing - the process of sliding and balance loss just didn't work... SO, she tried one of the crank forward bikes, hoping the seat position and such would work. Didn't.... Within a half mile she could feel it in her hands and wrists, and within another half mile she was feeling it in her knee. Same issues as she had on her old bike.

Back at the shop - she spots one of the Trice T trikes... and gloms onto this thing like a piranha! Off she goes on a ride, and within a block she has the biggest smile I've seen on her in years. She climbed the small hills near the shop better than she EVER did on her DF, and sent back down them feeling VERY much in control. Her description was that it was comfortable and SECURE.

I accompanied her on a couple recumbents, and still liked the Stratus XP best. BUT, when we returned with her on the trike, she convinced ME to try it.... And I found out why she was smiling...

SO, she's sold on the trike. We'll check out the Sun recumbents and trikes (which are the opposite of the tadpole-style Trice units), but I suspect she's going to end up on the Trice.

We'll continue the search.....

Sun does have a tadpole recumbent (2 wheels in front) listed on their website, the EZ Tadpole. http://www.sunbicycles.com/sun/index.html And yea I agree, trikes are a kick in the pants. Friend of mine has a Catrike Expedition he let me try. Now I want one.

I'm not a proponent of trikes but it sounds as if a trike is just the ticket for the wife! Go for it!

The Trice is a beautiful trike. There's an Easy Racer's dealer in Roseville.

Well, THAT didn't take long.... My wife is a very deliberative and methodical person, not given to great exultations or exclamations or emotion... BUT, once she decides, she moves VERY quickly...

BUT, this morning, having slept on it, she informed me that WE (I'm not sure, but I think there's a mouse in her pocket) would be calling the shop today to have them build up one of the Trice's they have for her... She loved it, didn't care what else might be available in some other part of the country (the only Sun within 5 hours of here is a delta (two wheels in back?) and she did a bit of research last night that convinced her the Trice is the way to go......

SO, tomorrow evening we'll pick up her new trike..... So much for that "I'll go up to $2K" statement!

Now I just have to decide what I'm going to do..... I suspect a visit to a couple places tomorrow, a bit more riding, and whatever.....

The rest of us appreciate that you are doing more than your fair share to stimulate the economy.

Check out a Tour Easy at that Easy Racers dealer.

As near as I can tell, there's not an Easy Racer dealer (by dealer I'm talking an actual shop with a selection of actual units IN STOCK that can be viewed and ridden) within 500 miles.......

Brands I've been able to find within 5 hours are Rans, a VERY few Bachetta's (there appears to be exactly 1 dealer with 2 bachetta LWB recumbents in the multi-state area - don't have a Bella ATT, don't know if they'll get one, and if they do, don't know when), and a store that has lawn furniture, sleeping bags, and a couple Sun bikes.....

When I called shops that are still listed as recumbent dealers in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, the VAST majority just told me it's been several tough years for recumbents and they don't carry them any more.
Apparently, the upper midwest has not been a hotbed of "odd" bicycle styles.

It's very difficult in many areas to find dealers with 'bents on the showroom floor.

Erik's Bike Shops (10 stores ll over the twin cities) carry Sun (Easy Racer) and each store I've visited last week had Sun tadpole and X-3 (sx) Trikes built up. I'm having an AX built up to replace my older Ez-3 SX (which my 72 year young Mother In Law is taking away from me, cause she loves it).
Both the Burnsville and Bloomington stores has X-3 sx's, Bloomington had a EZ-Tadpole SX going to a happy new owner that I looked at Thursday evening.

I'm 58 years old, 6'3" with a 32" inseam. I was around 230lbs when riding, but being off the bike for 10 years I'm now at 300. I'm looking to get back into riding for fun, most likely riding less than 20 miles at a time (at least initially), and mostly in light traffic and/or paved bike trails.



For what it's worth, I'm 57 and about as overweight as you are. I have knee and hip problems, so after man tries, including a LWB that I fell off of and broke my leg, I dicovered that shorter cranks, the BB at least 6" below the seat, and a thick comfy seat are all I need to get by. I build my own, and had some with suspension, some without. I find a nice comfy boat seat on a trike, delta or tadpole, is just as good as suspension. I ride with tires inflated to 65 psi which gives a softer ride with decent rolling resistance. Geared low, the heavy trikes I have go up hills easily, although my disabilities have gotten worse, so now a small electric motor is in order. This is a pic of my everyday trike. Very comfy and easy to ride. Not the fastest, but in high gear I can average 13-16 mph. I have a single 34t ring up front, and a 5speed cluster in the rear. It's an old schwinn freewheel. 34-28-21-17-14.

I'm just turning 56 and have been riding a recumbent trike for 2 1/2yrs. Before then I'd been out of all riding for 20yrs. We used to mountain bike, but I eventually got carple tunnel and osteo-arthritis in my wrists. Sure couldn't lean on the handle bars, hated the seat anyways.....then learned about the under seat steering. Now I ride when and where I can. Some photo's of my tours.

How do you like those fairings? Are they all the manufacturers claim them to be?

I've found the fairing to be excellent with headwinds, and when it rains my feet to waist are kept relatively dry. If I know I'll be riding on the park trails I'll leave it at home.(tight clearance in some corners).

Have you considered a road trip to The Hostel Shoppe in Stevens Point, WI. Probably the largest bent dealer in the Midwest. Certainly one of the most friendly and helpful.

dkperez, Edina Bike shop had so many recumbents I was amazed, both 2 wheel and trikes, even a quad! Great sale going on this week on Terra Trikes and they had 4 different Sun Trikes built up, as well as many other 2 wheel bents....

Spent the last 6 days "up north"..... Had the wife's new Trice with us, and since she was in meetings, and there were a couple nice, sunny days, I pulled the boom out to fit my longer legs, and took it for a ride... This thing is fun! I'm still looking at recumbents, but with my bit of vertigo, the trike feels nicely secure. I was on the Mesabi trail, which seems to have hills that are steeper than the normal 3%, and climbing wasn't a big problem...

I'll have to go into Edina - I called them when I was looking, and the person I spoke to told me that had "um, probably a couple recumbents of some kind here"... I asked about long wheelbase and got "Um (in best Minnesota version of valley girl voice), well, I think we've got something that's kinda long.".....

I'll check EriK's and Edina...

Hiya dkperez the wife,
I'm 62, 195 (overweight at 5'7") my wife and I have been into riding bent since last October when we last fell on our KHS upright tandem, really spooked us and since we enjoyed riding together we splurged on a TerraTrike tandem immediately. We have no more fear of falling, enjoy tooling around on it together without worrying about being speed demons, just a nice leisurely pace. Well, I as yourself, enjoyed riding solo on a well appointed road bike for many years so I went ahead and laid out $3200 for an ICE QNT26 with short cranks (155's), QRings, TerraCycle idler (Titanium double) and a hardshell seat. I would recommend this combo for anyone wanting to enjoy medium to long distance riding on a very speedy machine. I just love this bike and find that the advice that I received from Neil and John that the NT has no less stability than the standard is correct, no problems even at 36.8mph on a recent downhill. I ordered direct from ICE, working with Neil who tipped me off to SKYPE and since I had an Apple with a built in WebCam it was as if I could mosey into their shop in England and have a bit of a face to face chat with the "man". The price included shipping, had many, many conversations with both Neil and John which were exceptionally enlightening and they also talked me through my assembly, especially the correct method of fitting the QRings. The bike arrived in a short time right to my door in a box I never thought it would fit in but was packed to be very intuitive in assembly. It did take me 5 hours to put it together and that's with all the correct tools but no real bike assembly experience (although I'd been riding seriously since my early 20's). I can't tell you enough about what a great experience it was to deal with ICE directly nor can I express my personal liking for non-suspended frames and 26" rear wheels. The 26" rear wheel coupled with the short cranks and the QRings gives me 15.8" gear inches on the low end up to 108" on top which I find quite adequate for the many hills here in NC.....good luck to you and I think you'll find that you wind up with more than one set of wheels.....

I just saw one of these today on the way to work. Thanks to your pic I recognized it immediately. He was riding on the sidewalk, facing traffic, in a 'wheel control zone,' which means bikes were specifically prohibited from the sidewalks. But that's the subject for another thread. Grr!

You might check out the website calhoun cycle . com (w/o the spaces) or stop in at the store in uptown on Hennepin @ 33rd St. I didn't buy mine there, but I got a Bacchetta Giro 26 altho it doesn't have any suspension, it does spread out the bumps because of the design. Alternately you could run with the tires less than fully inflated to soften the ride. Or check this out: http://oraclecycleworks.blogspot.com/ $2100 gets you a fully outfitted recumbent with just about everything. I just heard about it. Good Luck!

Bought a Trice T that matches the one my wife got...... After playing with hers for a week and going back and trying the recumbents again I just decided the trike was more fun.....

Now I'll have to work on speed and stamina...

Thanks for all the advice and info - it came in handy while looking and riding...

Bought a Trice T that matches the one my wife got...... After playing with hers for a week and going back and trying the recumbents again I just decided the trike was more fun.....

Now I'll have to work on speed and stamina...

Thanks for all the advice and info - it came in handy while looking and riding...

Congrats on your new trikes. Someday I have got to try those out...trike riders seem to have an awfl l ot of fun,.

Thanks... I have to admit there was a bit of a "gulp" while handing over the credit card, but after trying several LWB recumbents, and as many trikes as I could find locally (again, locally is within about 60 miles), I liked the Trice best. I ran around several shops and tried as many units as I could find. In the end, the Sun trikes and Easy Racer and others I rode were all great but I was drawn to the Trice.

hi....i'm only 56 and have been riding a trike for 3yrs.......LOVE IT!!
I'd been out of riding for 15yrs. due to carpel tunnel as well as osteo-arthritis in my wrists.I rented 2 different trikes, but bought one used, tour ready. Here's some pics, east coast of Vancouver Island and the Icefields Parkway

A number of years ago, when we were still riding, I took my Cannondale ST-700 up Going-to-the-Sun road in Glacier. I believe it may have been the last year it was allowed - before they imposed the time limits on bike riders.

That same vacation I also rode a lot of the Icefields Parkway with my wife acting as support vehicle in the motorhome.

As a photographer, a bike is a great way to move fast enough to get around, and still have the ability to carry equipment... My equipment these days is pretty large, but with the Trice I figure I can carry a small set of what I want so stopping along the way will be enjoyable.....

And, yeah, I know I could get a fixed-lens (point-and-shoot) camera, but the reality is that the output from even the best of them isn't as good as what I get from the regular DSLRs I use... I"ll probably leave the really big lenses in the trailer (we use a 5th wheel now instead of a motorhome), but I'll see what I can put together this summer.....

This fall we'll be heading back to Glacier, then up through Banff and into Jasper. I hope to take the trikes along and get some riding in.

I've got a Trice Q on order, along with racks, bags, and the rest. Coming off a SUN Sport AX, the 'cruiser' styled LWB.

Just never quite felt happy with the SUN. The aluminum version I have is supposedly 6lb lighter than the steel version, and has better components in some areas.
It's a great bike on typical flat midwest roads, but here in NH / VT mountains and valleys i just don't quite get on with it.

BTW, SUN seems to make good, solid bikes and trikes, but my impression is that they are substantially heavier than the more expensive competition