Recumbent - One advantage seldom mentioned about recumbents

While there are many advantages for recumbents usually stated, one is seldom talked about. When going for a ride, the body has so much "onboard" energy stored. Since a bent rider does not have to use a lot of energy holding up his upper body and head, the energy used to do this can be directe to the legs. IMO this is why bent riders usually end up being able to ride further and or faster than a cyclis on a DF.

Yes, there are the extraneous energy expenditures that we don't have to suffer. Isometric work doesn't help move you down the road. Another one is what I used to refer to as the 'discomfort factor.' With that, the rider expends energy dealing with the physical discomfort of the upright position: changing hand positions at regular intervals, shaking out numb parts, squirming, standing for no reason but to relieve saddle pressure, etc. Many upright riders don't even realize how much they do it and what it costs. Like the isometric expenditure, it's energy spent but none of it moves the rider down the road.

Interesting article at energybulletin.net

The Velomobile: High-tech bike or low-tech car?

http://www.energybulletin.net/stories/2010-09-30/velomobile-high-tech-bike-or-low-tech-car

Also, exploring http://www.energybulletin.net/ is advised if you care about our country's (and the world's) impending energy crisis...

Yes, there are the extraneous energy expenditures that we don't have to suffer. Isometric work doesn't help move you down the road. Another one is what I used to refer to as the 'discomfort factor.' With that, the rider expends energy dealing with the physical discomfort of the upright position: changing hand positions at regular intervals, shaking out numb parts, squirming, standing for no reason but to relieve saddle pressure, etc. Many upright riders don't even realize how much they do it and what it costs. Like the isometric expenditure, it's energy spent but none of it moves the rider down the road.
The selling point for convincing my stoker/wife that we should replace our KHS tandem with a recumbent (a Screamer before next Spring, most likely) is what you've described: We won't have to spend any time or effort towards relieving discomfort. We will just be comfortable and be able to devote our efforts towards pedaling and enjoying the ride. No more coordinated 'butt rest'/stand up breaks - I'll miss that.:twitchy:

When I got my first recumbent, I became extremely hard to beat on century rides. My average speed wasn't that impressive, but I never stopped.

No special gloves, no diaper shorts, I have a carbon fiber road bike collecting dust in my garage. It climbs better than my recumbent, who cares.

The comparatively small frontal area means less wind-chill (more comfort) in these colder months.

The view! Being able to look around and up comfortably. I never realized how much I enjoyed that till I went back to my road bike for a bit.

Although I've been 'bent for several years, I fail to understand why so many of my recumbent comrades continuously come up with these "advantages". Is there a need to justify riding a recumbent? Ride. Enjoy. Isn't that enough?

While there are many advantages for recumbents usually stated, one is seldom talked about. When going for a ride, the body has so much "onboard" energy stored. Since a bent rider does not have to use a lot of energy holding up his upper body and head, the energy used to do this can be directe to the legs. IMO this is why bent riders usually end up being able to ride further and or faster than a cyclis on a DF.

Sorry, but wrong. Energy used is equal to a force over a distance. Upright riders bodies are are pretty much stationary relative to the bike. Hence little energy used by their upper body. Recimbents have less frontal area, and hence less aerodymamic drag, hence less energy used at the same speed.

just imagine the comfort in a velomobile you can ride all day everyday without getting sunburn !

:lol:
Sorry, but wrong. Energy used is equal to a force over a distance. Upright riders bodies are are pretty much stationary relative to the bike. Hence little energy used by their upper body. Recimbents have less frontal area, and hence less aerodymamic drag, hence less energy used at the same speed.

Not Quite. Sitting in a chair takes way less energy than holding up one's upper body with arms. If the arm muscles weren't using energy to hold up the body the rider's face would smack the handlebar. :p

Upright riders are always advised to work on their 'core' muscles. That must be for a reason. Lots of isometrics involved in riding an upright. Isometrics are energy expended for no useful purpose.

I showed your post to my legs, and they are still laughing. I think they enjoy seeing me suffer.

No sunburn, but I got a bit of skin cancer on my nose in 6 years VM (+more than a small number of trike years). I couldn't slow that down; but I sure had a blast frying my nose! :D

More gears! No crossover effect, less chain wear.:thumb:

Sorry, but wrong. Energy used is equal to a force over a distance. Upright riders bodies are are pretty much stationary relative to the bike. Hence little energy used by their upper body. Recimbents have less frontal area, and hence less aerodymamic drag, hence less energy used at the same speed.

You are confusing energy used by the muscles with mechanical work. Holding a 50 lb weight stationary takes plenty of energy (it's isometric exercise silly), even if you don't move it an inch (and therefore do no work - in the strict physics sense of the term).

dchief

Your legs dont believe? Maybe if you printed out my thread and wrapped them around your legs and held them in place with a rubber band.:)

Besides routing all your energy to the legs, another thing is the laid back position does not hinder the lungs. Since bent riders arent all hunched over to get an aero advantage, their lungs can work at full capacity.

Someone posted a question about why bent rider talk about and post "advantages" of bents. I say why not. Why not let the cycling world know what bent riders know.

The view! Being able to look around and up comfortably. I never realized how much I enjoyed that till I went back to my road bike for a bit.

+ 17,454! I've even moved from an extremely reclined aerodynamically efficient position to sitting more upright to take full advantage of gawking

The view! Being able to look around and up comfortably. I never realized how much I enjoyed that till I went back to my road bike for a bit.

This and the comfort factor mean that at the end of the day, I can rack up more miles on my recumbent than on my upright bikes- even though it's almost 10 lbs. heavier, which is a lot for this undersized engine.

Man... Core muscles, the girls dig'em. between my pimp CF frame and tight abs Im like a rolling pu55y wagon. Dont think a recumb can say / do the same.

Just sayin...

I will spank any of you freds. Pick a road, date and time.

Man... Core muscles, the girls dig'em. between my pimp CF frame and tight abs Im like a rolling pu55y wagon. Dont think a recumb can say / do the same.

Just sayin...


but....but.....isn't riding a recumbent like doing situps??????

Sorry, but wrong. Energy used is equal to a force over a distance.
No, work is force times distance. Energy can be expended without displacement (distance). Push against a wall all day and your arms will be sore... and you will be hungry. You expended energy but performed no work.

I will spank any of you freds. Pick a road, date and time.

What's in it for me if I win? I like pie...

I read an article (Irons 1993 in Michigan Journal of Health and Wellness) that said Recumbent pedaling was glycogen sparing because the rider wasn't required to utilize the upper body/core during the activity.

The view! Being able to look around and up comfortably. I never realized how much I enjoyed that till I went back to my road bike for a bit.


This is why I gave up my bikes for an RV. Now, I can see everything, eat, watch a video, and have a beer, all while cruising down the road in air conditioned comfort. No more funny shorts or goofy helmets for this guy...

Oh look. The RBR people have found a new sandbox to "play" in. We are so haapy to see you here. Really.

Where's the rest of the kindergarten class?

Yes, there are the extraneous energy expenditures that we don't have to suffer. Isometric work doesn't help move you down the road. Another one is what I used to refer to as the 'discomfort factor.' With that, the rider expends energy dealing with the physical discomfort of the upright position: changing hand positions at regular intervals, shaking out numb parts, squirming, standing for no reason but to relieve saddle pressure, etc. Many upright riders don't even realize how much they do it and what it costs. Like the isometric expenditure, it's energy spent but none of it moves the rider down the road.

so ..... it's just all about efficiency and making the very most of one's energy?

And yet additional drag is produced by flapping tie-dye T-shirts, flowing beards, fluttering flags, etc.... so is efficiency actually important or not? Hmmm.... :rolleyes:

next ....................

this is why bent riders usually end up being able to ride further and or faster than a cyclis on a DF.

Maybe true, but I think you have to stay awake to do it. I was riding the MUT the other day in the midmorning fall sunshine (we get a lot of that here in NM) and I closed quickly on a guy pedaling a racing 'bent - he was all over the path. I gingerly went around him with a kind but firm "on your left" and as it was he snapped his head up and swerved in front of me, nearly sending me into the dirt - I had awakened him, he was dozing off while riding.

Seriously though, how do you guys avoid that, lying down and all?

Oh look. The RBR people have found a new sandbox to "play" in. We are so haapy to see you here. Really.

Where's the rest of the kindergarten class?

Hey, don't put all of us in the same boat. I think it's stupid.

I think it's stupid.

you say that as if "stupid" is a bad thing

It must be a slow day ..........

you say that as if "stupid" is a bad thing

Dude, how did you get to 2816 posts?

Hey, don't put all of us in the same boat. I think it's stupid.


Yes it is.

I did not know you were a member here as well.

Trust all is well.

Trust all is well.

All is not well, I was just lamenting the fact that Bikes and Frames as gone completely down the drain. Three stickied posts with 500,000 views on Chinese CF frames and a horde of noobs arguing over the word "exactly."

It's very sad.

but....but.....isn't riding a recumbent like doing situps??????


Man... Core muscles, the girls dig'em. between my pimp CF frame and tight abs Im like a rolling pu55y wagon. Dont think a recumb can say / do the same.

Just sayin...
Actually riding a recumbent probably gets you a better view when girls ride by.... Just sayin'

but....but.....isn't riding a recumbent like doing situps??????


It must be a slow day ..........
very slow. I'm thinkin situps with touch and a spank from creaky might be the excitement that's needed.

edit... it says i'm a newbie. How cute.

Dude, how did you get to 2816 posts?

Creaky's been cheating... and doing a bit of spanking. :deadhorse2::deadhorse2:

First!!

First!!

holy ****. registered for over a year and this is your first first post. WTF?

holy ****. registered for over a year and this is your first first post. WTF?

Apparently....you missed the irony.

chain

Chain is right!!!! Forget all the other advantages of riding a bent. The best reason is sitting upright bent riders get a better view of women.

Shouldn't you boys be out tipping cows or something?

Yeah, I joined mostly to get some help on a bike issue, otherwise haven't posted.

Yup, hope the same for you!

Edit...I guess I joined a long time ago but didn't post until recently. Whoops.

All is not well, I was just lamenting the fact that Bikes and Frames as gone completely down the drain. Three stickied posts with 500,000 views on Chinese CF frames and a horde of noobs arguing over the word "exactly."

It's very sad.

That is really a terrible burden.

Blazing

Here in Nebr all the cows are wearing that bracelet that helps them maintain their balance. You cant tip them over any more. Where they got the "just $19.95" is anybodys guess.

Man... Core muscles, the girls dig'em. between my pimp CF frame and tight abs Im like a rolling pu55y wagon. Dont think a recumb can say / do the same.

Just sayin...
I guarantee my bikes get a lot more attention from the women than yours.