Recumbent - I can commute again!

Just picked up a Sun Tomahawk, I believe the 2009 model. It's my first recumbent, and I can honestly say that at 25 I never thought I'd be riding one.

I broke my arm 4 months ago and have been unable to bike to work, one of the main activities keeping me sane here in southern California. Just got my cast off last week and went to the bike shop the next day to pick this guy up. My arm is technically still broken (I have a non-union of my ulna, held together by a steel plate), but I can ride a recumbent with no pain and am able to hit the front brake without a problem. Already have over 200 miles on it and I feel like a little kid in a candy store every time I ride it.



Now if I could just put some fat tires on and take it on the local trails...

Fun fun...

Sorry for the break, but welcome to the 'world.'

It's my first recumbent, and I can honestly say that at 25 I never thought I'd be riding one.

Hey, there is nothing wrong with being in your 20's and riding a recumbent!

Hope the recovery continues for the arm and ...you will never recover from the change of position, it is too comfortable and fun. Not saying you will never want to ride a DF again.... :)
enjoy the ride.

Congrats on the new bent.:thumb: Good luck with the arm continuing to heal.

Looks like it will be a good commuter. I don't know how it would go with knobblies off road though. You may wish to wait a while until your arm heals more before trying it.

Oh, you don't have to be old to ride a recumbent. I've been riding one (by choice) for about 3½ years and I'm only 33.

How's that Tomahawk work as a commuter?

I have wanted a bent since I was 30. I'm 60 now and finally was able to buy one last summer. Haven't been back on a df since.

i was actually wondering about that, how many people are younger bent riders? I'm 26 and was thinking I was the youngest on here, I guess not!!!!

I'm in my 50s and got mine 2 years ago. But I've wanted one since I was a kid when I saw the Groundhugger on the cover of Popular Mechanics.

I'm still two years short of 20.

Base 32.

How's that Tomahawk work as a commuter?

Been working great! I have an old Tubus rack that I moved over, along with some panniers, and have been really enjoying it. The weight in the rear does not seem to affect the handling much, compared to upright bikes I've ridden where weight is very noticeable. Very happy that I went with a model with a long wheel base for stability. At least for now, I'm not sure I'd be comfortable on something agile and quick.

I needed to wrap one of the tubes behind the seat in some pipe insulation because I kept bumping into it when I'd push hard. The seat straps seem to loosen while riding steeper climbs.

Went on a local group ride through the mountains this weekend and did pretty well hanging with the group on the climbs. Took it real easy on the descents, though. Really don't want to re-break my arm.

Went on a local group ride through the mountains this weekend and did pretty well hanging with the group on the climbs. Took it real easy on the descents, though. Really don't want to re-break my arm.

Wise beyond your years.

Been working great! I have an old Tubus rack that I moved over, along with some panniers, and have been really enjoying it. The weight in the rear does not seem to affect the handling much, compared to upright bikes I've ridden where weight is very noticeable. Very happy that I went with a model with a long wheel base for stability. At least for now, I'm not sure I'd be comfortable on something agile and quick.

I needed to wrap one of the tubes behind the seat in some pipe insulation because I kept bumping into it when I'd push hard. The seat straps seem to loosen while riding steeper climbs.

Went on a local group ride through the mountains this weekend and did pretty well hanging with the group on the climbs. Took it real easy on the descents, though. Really don't want to re-break my arm.

I'd contact Easy Racers about the seat. They should be able to advise you on how to tighten up the seat back to avoid that.

Can't keep the buckles on the back of my RANS seat tight, either, but they just get a little bit loose.
Pipe insulation is a good idea until you can get a proper fix.