Recumbent - Could jealousy be a factor

We all know that the DF boy racer crowd seem to look down on or hate bents. Could jealousy figure into the mix. Who of us while out riding hasnt heard kid yell "cool bike". Even a lot of adults will comment "nice bike". And when stopped a lot of people want to ask questions.

At a recient bike race (parking lot) I rode out to watch. I might point out here I like and approve of all types of cycling. While setting there watching, a race finished, and one of the racers rode up and stopped by me. His son ran over, looked at me and my bike, and said "Dad wouldnt it be cool if you could get a bike like that one, pointing to my Rans. The guy was on a VERY expensive carbon frame race bike. He mumbled something, and the look on his face was interesting. I guess what im saying is that no matter how expensive almost any DF bike is they seldom get the attention that a bent gets. At rides and races, the DF crowd cant help it but notice, therefore it may add to the hate because of jealousy.

The guy was probably embarrassed that his kid thought they were cool. Probably a Cat 4/5/C, because the Cat 3/2/1 guys usually don't care. I doubt it's jealousy. Remember, in their world recumbents are illegal.

I think some people are overly sensitive and take the razzing between wedgie riders and bearded hammock sleepers a bit too seriously. :lol:

i dont care what you ride, as long as you ride. i prefer the competitive feeling of sitting up and having an aggressive stance. to each their own, but i assure you when im looking at a bent, im not jealous.

Jealous? Of bent? I think not. From what I see and hear and read, recumbents have two primary applications: Old guys with back problems, and extreme touring. I think most people grew up with the classic butt-over-crank geometry and wouldn't even consider the awkward-looking geometric of a recumbent unless there was a compelling reason.

People give them attention because they are unusual, not because they prefer them.

People give them attention because they are unusual, not because they prefer them.

Yeah, right! That doesn't even begin to explain all the "cool bike" comments being thrown my way at the local Critical Mass. Even better, I've been getting more and more cute smiles from the cargonistas on their single-speed basket bikes. Go ahead and hate. Life is better with a cool bike.

:)ensen.

Life is better with a cool bike.

So when are you going to get one? :innocent:

Yeah, right! That doesn't even begin to explain all the "cool bike" comments being thrown my way at the local Critical Mass. Even better, I've been getting more and more cute smiles from the cargonistas on their single-speed basket bikes. Go ahead and hate. Life is better with a cool bike.

:)ensen.

if you think your bike is cool and people give you compliments, then awesome. just not for me. i dont see too many bents descending the steep grades in Mountains every weekend so, not for me.

The guy was probably embarrassed that his kid thought they were cool. Probably a Cat 4/5/C, because the Cat 3/2/1 guys usually don't care. I doubt it's jealousy. Remember, in their world recumbents are illegal.

Cat 3 racer here: I'd go so far as to say most racers think of recumbents as bicycle-like machines, but not really bikes.

So when are you going to get one? :innocent:

My sig shows the old one. Here's video of the one I'm riding now. Look for me doing loops about 2:35 into the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpZtcSsirc0

It's about personality.

Road bikes => Corvette
MTB => Jeep
Xtracycles => SUV
Low-rider => Tuner
Chopper => Chopper
BMX => Dirt bike
Mine = Exotic

Even the bikers on Harleys crane their necks to see me turn corners. Yes, the two rear wheels are really that close together. Yes, it really is that low. Yes it really does lean that far over.

It's practically a guarantee that my ride will get more interest than a Madone.

:)ensen.

BTW: I keep my MTB and a long-tail because there are times when you just need them.

if you think your bike is cool and people give you compliments, then awesome. just not for me. i dont see too many bents descending the steep grades in Mountains every weekend so, not for me.

Descending steep grades in mountains is what bents do best. :thumb: Apologies to Tigger.

It's like driving the coolest little great-handling sports car ever. My bent might be a little slower going up those mountains than a DF, but instead of bending over the handle bars and starting at the road while climbing, my head is up and I'm enjoying a good look at all the beautiful scenery. :D

It's practically a guarantee that my ride will get more interest than a Madone.


but that don't make it 'cool'...just an oddity...like my Big Dummy.

Descending steep grades in mountains is what bents do best. :thumb: Apologies to Tigger.

It's like driving the coolest little great-handling sports car ever. My bent might be a little slower going up those mountains than a DF, but instead of bending over the handle bars and starting at the road while climbing, my head is up and I'm enjoying a good look at all the beautiful scenery. :D

Yup. I was descending a hill on my 'bent when a DF rider tucked into his aero position. I laughed and said "this is my aero position".

Yup. I was descending a hill on my 'bent when a DF rider tucked into his aero position. I laughed and said "this is my aero position".

Yup I was descending a hill on my wedgie, sitting up munching on a banana, when a bearded hammock driver woke up and noticed I was passing him. I laughed and said "this is my aero position" as I rubbed my belly. :D

Cat 3 racer here: I'd go so far as to say most racers think of recumbents as bicycle-like machines, but not really bikes.

Well, that's their problem, isn't it? :innocent:

SP
Bend, OR
:recum:

Yup I was descending a hill on my wedgie, sitting up munching on a banana, when a bearded hammock driver woke up and noticed I was passing him.

Note: THIS NEVER HAPPENS.

SP
Bend, OR

Yup I was descending a hill on my wedgie, sitting up munching on a banana, when a bearded hammock driver woke up and noticed I was passing him. I laughed and said "this is my aero position" as I rubbed my belly. :D

You just brightened my day Chip. :)

Note: THIS NEVER HAPPENS.

SP
Bend, OR

Cuz you ain't met nuthin like me yet.
Someday you will behold my larger-than-life okole as it leaves you gasping for fresh air...if you wake up from your moving nap in time.

You just brightened my day Chip. :)

The more I rub my belly, the brighter things seem to get.

The more I rub my belly, the brighter things seem to get.

Chip = Budha?

Chip = Budha?

rub = shiny

...I doubt it's jealousy. Remember, in their world recumbents are illegal.

Yeah, he probably just told his kid they aren't legal in his races.


I think some people are overly sensitive and take the razzing between wedgie riders and bearded hammock sleepers a bit too seriously. :lol:

Now THAT was funny!


It took poor balance for me to discover recumbent trikes and get a Catrike, but if my balance had been good I think I would have liked a bent anyway (but with two wheels). Riding a DF isn't exactly good for the male anatomy.

It took poor balance for me to discover recumbent trikes and get a Catrike, but if my balance had been good I think I would have liked a bent anyway (but with two wheels). Riding a DF isn't exactly good for the male anatomy.

Excuse the pun, but there's the rub...riding a wedgie doesn't bother my male anatomy at all.
Different strokes for different folks. ;)

The more I rub my belly, the brighter things seem to get.OK, Chip - are you sure that what you are rubbing is what the rest of us would call a "belly"?

Excuse the pun, but there's the rub...riding a wedgie doesn't bother my male anatomy at all.
Different strokes for different folks. ;)

well actually it's a very similar stroke for most folks.

It has to be because they're very different. My trike has drawn more attention in a week than the rest of my bikes in a year! All nice comments, and a lot of older folks like me stop to talk about it at the coffee shop down the road. Many have never seen one. I kinda have to agree if it weren't for my health problems, I would probably still be on a diamond. I am learning to love this thing. As someone stated at least I can ride again!!!

Cuz you ain't met nuthin like me yet.
Someday you will behold my larger-than-life okole as it leaves you gasping for fresh air...if you wake up from your moving nap in time.

Chip, I meet nuthin's like you all the time. Dream on, troll!

SP
Bend, OR

Chip, I meet nuthin's like you all the time. Dream on, troll!

SP
Bend, OR

Then your alarm clock goes off, you wake up and remember "hey, I have a sense of humor....if I could only get it out from under my thin skin". :lol:

Jealous? Of bent? I think not. From what I see and hear and read, recumbents have two primary applications: Old guys with back problems, and extreme touring.


I agree. Recumbents do have certain applications. You missed one of the big ones. Breaking speed records. Witness the recent Battle Mountain HPV Trials. Try going 82+mph on a wedgy. The current record for distance in one hour at the Nissan Proving Track is 55 miles. On a recumbent no less.

I agree. Recumbents do have certain applications. You missed one of the big ones. Breaking speed records. Witness the recent Battle Mountain HPV Trials. Try going 82+mph on a wedgy. The current record for distance in one hour at the Nissan Proving Track is 55 miles. On a recumbent no less.

try going 82 mph on an open frame recumbent...not saying that a so called wedgy could do it if it had a aero frame encasing the rider...but it could get a bit closer.

a open frame bent is like a road bike...the ones breaking land speed records are not the ones cruising the town chillen in a group ride. they are specifically engineered to go fast and break records...

try going 82 mph on an open frame recumbent...not saying that a so called wedgy could do it if it had a aero frame encasing the rider...but it could get a bit closer.

a open frame bent is like a road bike...the ones breaking land speed records are not the ones cruising the town chillen in a group ride. they are specifically engineered to go fast and break records...

Again, not saying it's right or wrong, but this explains why bike racers tend to think of recumbents (if they think of them at all) as bicycle-like machines.

try going 82 mph on an open frame recumbent...not saying that a so called wedgy could do it if it had a aero frame encasing the rider...but it could get a bit closer.

a open frame bent is like a road bike...the ones breaking land speed records are not the ones cruising the town chillen in a group ride. they are specifically engineered to go fast and break records...

The keyword is application. That is what I was responding to. Speed is what started the recumbent revolution. The late Gardnier Martin is the one that started the thing rolling in CA. when he built the Gold Rush to win the Dupont Prize for breaking the 60mph HPV land record. The Gold Rush is now in the Simthsonian as a preservation of that landmark. From that evolved the Gold Rush Replica by Easy Racers (founded by the the late Gardiner Martin) which is now one of the largest selling bents. It is also one of the fastest production bikes and I think one of the most comfortable touring bikes.

Martin and Easy Racers may have been one of the pioneers, but the whole thing was started by Mochet in 1934 with the Velocar which was subsequently banned by the UCI due to its speed. After wallowing in the ditch for decades, the restart began in '76 by Chet Kyle with the IHPVA. The current speed records have been reset again this year.

Sam Whittingham
Top Speed at 82.819 mph, 133.284 kph
One Hour total 56.295 miles, 90.598 km

Barbara Buatois
Top Speed at 75.458 mph, 121.437 kph
One Hour total 52.208 miles, 84.020 km

:)ensen.

Martin and Easy Racers may have been one of the pioneers, but the whole thing was started by Mochet in 1934 with the Velocar which was subsequently banned by the UCI due to its speed. After wallowing in the ditch for decades, the restart began in '76 by Chet Kyle with the IHPVA. The current speed records have been reset again this year.

Sam Whittingham
Top Speed at 82.819 mph, 133.284 kph
One Hour total 56.295 miles, 90.598 km

Barbara Buatois
Top Speed at 75.458 mph, 121.437 kph
One Hour total 52.208 miles, 84.020 km

:)ensen.

Yeah. What he said.

Martin and Easy Racers may have been one of the pioneers, but the whole thing was started by Mochet in 1934 with the Velocar which was subsequently banned by the UCI due to its speed. After wallowing in the ditch for decades, the restart began in '76 by Chet Kyle with the IHPVA. The current speed records have been reset again this year.

Sam Whittingham
Top Speed at 82.819 mph, 133.284 kph
One Hour total 56.295 miles, 90.598 km

Barbara Buatois
Top Speed at 75.458 mph, 121.437 kph
One Hour total 52.208 miles, 84.020 km

:)ensen.

Actually commercial recumbents even predate the Mochet Velocar. The then hour record was beteen by a Velocar in 1933 with a 2nd tier pro and was part of the reason why they were banned by the UCI.

Reading about the Velocar racing in the thirties was intersting and some things haven't changed. Then as now an aerodynamic recumbent was quicker on the flats and downhills than a regular bike and was slower uphills. A recumbent with small wheels was slower than a regular bike on rough roads.

The speeds set by Sam and Barbara are amazing, but both are very fit and strong riders. If you put me in the same bikes I wouldn't come any where close.

Again, not saying it's right or wrong, but this explains why bike racers tend to think of recumbents (if they think of them at all) as bicycle-like machines.

The other problem is that if you enjoy the social aspect of riding in a group and pacelines, it requires much more concentration and is harder on a recumbent.

The other problem is that if you enjoy the social aspect of riding in a group and pacelines, it requires much more concentration and is harder on a recumbent.

On a recumbent, I tend to not ride in pacelines because I don't need to draft in order to go fast or to fight a headwind. Recumbent groups tend to be more spread out because of this. Relying on others to do the work is my definition of "cheating." If I want to socialize, I ride next to the other bike. Even on an upright, I find it hard to hold a conversation with someone in front of or behind me.

On a recumbent, I tend to not ride in pacelines because I don't need to draft in order to go fast or to fight a headwind... Relying on others to do the work is my definition of "cheating."

arent you cheating with your super aero position. just sayin.

also, in pro cycling those "others" are paid to be others. and in recreational cycling, everyone i ride with does their share up front...but when it hurts the most on ascents, it doesnt really matter whos up front, everyone is hurting.

the social aspect of riding in a group and pacelines, it requires much more concentration and is harder on a recumbent.[/QUOTE

WHAT????

arent you cheating with your super aero position. just sayin.

also, in pro cycling those "others" are paid to be others. and in recreational cycling, everyone i ride with does their share up front...but when it hurts the most on ascents, it doesnt really matter whos up front, everyone is hurting.

Is a sub-20 pound bike cheating?

Is a sub-20 pound bike cheating?

my bike weights 22lbs...

does that put me in the non cheating category or were you just pointing out that the weight is a factor in what separates a TRUE cyclist from another? i mean, in your opinion is a 15lb carbon bike cheating or does the fact that they average 30mph over 5 hours with 10k ft of climbing, neutralize the cheating factor.

anyway my point is that its not jealousy, if i wanted a bent, i would get one...but i dont.

Yeah. I just don't see the jealousy thing. Given the amount of money most racers pour into the sport, they could afford a recumbent if they wanted one. It's indifference, really.

arent you cheating with your super aero position. just sayin.


Getting aero isn't cheating anymore than using an aero position on a TT bike; or as a lesser example, getting down on the drops when fighting a headwind. But our advantage in getting more aero is why we're in a different class for racing purposes. Which gets back to the original question. The upper-level racers recognize that 'bents are in a different class, so I see very little animosity there. They are friendly, sometimes even curious. It's the lower-levels and wannabes that treat 'bent riders like lepers. And of course, when I blow by their little pacelines, ringing my bell and waving, it only makes their attitudes worse. I love that! ;)

Getting aero isn't cheating anymore than using an aero position on a TT bike; or as a lesser example, getting down on the drops when fighting a headwind. But our advantage in getting more aero is why we're in a different class for racing purposes. Which gets back to the original question. The upper-level racers recognize that 'bents are in a different class, so I see very little animosity there. They are friendly, sometimes even curious. It's the lower-levels and wannabes that treat 'bent riders like lepers. And of course, when I blow by their little pacelines, ringing my bell and waving, it only makes their attitudes worse. I love that! ;)

ha. thats great you can do that. he said that drafting was cheating. do you think that drafting is cheating? i posed a question. i dont think any of its cheating. only in an Ironman is drafting cheating.

Anytime someone makes fun of my recumbent, I just pull a massive wheelie and speed off.

does that put me in the non cheating category or were you just pointing out that the weight is a factor in what separates a TRUE cyclist from another? i mean, in your opinion is a 15lb carbon bike cheating or does the fact that they average 30mph over 5 hours with 10k ft of climbing, neutralize the cheating factor.

anyway my point is that its not jealousy, if i wanted a bent, i would get one...but i dont.

It is still about the application. A 15# bike might help you climb, but witness the 64# recumbent that Fast Freddy rode to set the 55 miles in one hour record at Nissan.

Actually it's more fun rubbing it in while eating ice cream. They won't admit to it, but people riding uprights on the MUP definitely show envy when they see you licking at a cone while moseying along.

:)ensen.

Actually it's more fun rubbing it in while eating ice cream. They won't admit to it, but people riding uprights on the MUP definitely show envy when they see you licking at a cone while moseying along.

:)ensen.

thats the point of my posts. if your setting or training for land speed records...then thats awesome. otherwise everyone else i see is just chillen. cycling is about getting healthy and in shape and suffering and getting an endorphin rush. i ride every ride to try and be faster and better than the ride before.
if thats how you ride your recumbent then awesome. but they arent for me because i dont want to mosey along.
anyway i dont even belong in this section. you guys have a great time enjoying your bents. peace.

The guy was probably embarrassed that his kid thought they were cool. Probably a Cat 4/5/C, because the Cat 3/2/1 guys usually don't care. I doubt it's jealousy. Remember, in their world recumbents are illegal.

I guess the rules are a bit more tolerant here in Sweden. In August of last year while out on a 45 mile ride, I found myself going the wrong way on a cycle race route. Imagine my shock and delight when a bent bike passed me, number and all. He smiled and waved.

Imagine my even greater surprise and joy when further back in a pack of riders there were no less than three more 'bents, two of them ridden by women, and all riders with numbers.

Maybe it wasn't a significant race so they let them in as tokens of good will or something, but they were definitely in the race. All the DF riders were on high end machines. No clue about the 'bents since I'm not familiar with bent bikes, only trikes.