Commuting - Seat is like a Harley

Hmmm...it would seem that if a seat with a back rest would give more leverage to push back against esp on the climbs....OK guru's ...How come bike seats don't have a back-rest for more leverage? like a lawn mower or Harley????

Most bikes have the feet under the body, so you dont push back. Recumbants, which have the feet out front, usually have backrests.

You are not supposed to be pushing. Muscles work when they contract, not extend. This is why having clipless pedals is so much more efficient. The pull is way more important than the push. You'll notice that it takes less energy to pedal this way once you change your mindset.

Perhaps this is what you're thinking of:

http://www.bikecult.com/works/saddles/selleitalia1991tt.jpg

They performed well, too well. UCI outlawed them.

Think laid back, body supported by back and butt, feet out in front. That is the basic concept of a recumbent. You can go many miles in sublime comfort. Ever think of going 'bent?

'bent Brian

Perhaps this is what you're thinking of:

http://www.bikecult.com/works/saddles/selleitalia1991tt.jpg

They performed well, too well. UCI outlawed them.
Yeah that style is exactly what I was thinking...What's the story behind that?

As I understand it just provided a good backrest against which to push. UCI outlawed it because they were too radical (as they do with many things). I don't disagree but I'd like to see UCI introduce some sort of bicycle classification system. Standard diamond, recumbent, diamond supermodified, open class, etc. Points, rankings, and wins would only count within the class for which the race was held.

Just a thought.

What I want to know is why you need leverage on a Harley!

Trek has a bike in this years' offerings with a seat w/ backrest, maybe you could get a Trek dealer to order you one.

I'm always looking for faster more efficient ways of riding. From the sounds of it maybe it's only necessary for a bent. Unless a person has back problems.