Touring - If you are going to ride 50+ miles, you need this bike

I showed this bike here 4 years ago, since then I've added folding handle bars. When I was 18 (1971) I was in top shape. I went on a lot of 20 and 30 mile rides. The day I went 50, my body started complaining, elbows, neck, ect. With this bike, I switch from front to back quite often, and I don't get stiff, plus, I'm using different muscles or just using them differently, and switching seats feels like switching from tired muscles to fresh ones. The bike is heavier and less efficient than my Cannondale, but anything over 20 miles, I'm taking the 2 seater. http://www.roadrecumbent.com/

The only thing it's missing is a panhead.

This seems like a great way to pick up girls. I'm in.

OTOH, if you're going to ride 250 miles in 15 hours you need this bike (or something like it):
No pain at all, just a little tired. It was great fun. I was over 60 when I did that.

Plenty of people can ride 50, 70, 100 or more miles perfectly fine on a standard diamond-frame bike. People who need cushier rides can go with an "endurance" road bike or wider tires, or even a hybrid with suspension without having to go to such... extremes.

that is pretty cool

I have an eye for the off-beat, and this (plus the others on the page) fits the bill. I wouldn't have the two seats, but have the rear one more forward... but yeah, why not? I wonder now if that back seat could be a stoker seat a-la-tandem.

As an aside, when Machka and I were cycling along the trail from Bordeaux in France to connect up with the Velodyssey Trail up the east coast, I spotted way a head a sparkle from a chromed fork.

I thought that it might be a chopper bike (as in full-sized motorised version) on the path, but I couldn't hear a sound. I braced for a bit of trouble. And, as it came closer, it became evident there was a pack of others behind it.

Then past us went around 10 chopper bicycles of various sizes and configurations, ridden by teenage and older guys and girls, some with chopper-style helmets on, most with black T-shirts and blue jeans... and everyone was having a ball. The section of trail was around 20 miles long, so they probably had put in a fair old ride to be where they were.

The only thing it's missing is a panhead.

I thought "knucklehead". :rolleyes:

I showed this bike here 4 years ago, since then I've added folding handle bars. When I was 18 (1971) I was in top shape. I went on a lot of 20 and 30 mile rides. The day I went 50, my body started complaining, elbows, neck, ect. With this bike, I switch from front to back quite often, and I don't get stiff, plus, I'm using different muscles or just using them differently, and switching seats feels like switching from tired muscles to fresh ones. The bike is heavier and less efficient than my Cannondale, but anything over 20 miles, I'm taking the 2 seater. http://www.roadrecumbent.com/

Pretty wild & super low weight from carbon too. Wish the big companies would make a carbon tourer. In my area I see lots of recumbents, mostly older guys on shorter local rides but hey they look comfy & your bike is lighter than those bents so hill climbing seems no problem. I've seen pics of Danish upright commuters that have super-relaxed frame angles & also I remember (as a kid) a local guy who converted his StingRay-type bike into a chopper with a HUGE extended front fork...it rode a bit wobbly but only because the extended fork was crappy thin tubing. Also I've seen a couple of one-legged military vets zooming around on road bikes faster than I can go with two legs. One was on the DC interstate beltway which is a bit dangerous even for cars...he was the only guy I ever saw riding on the Beltway.

So props for breaking the envelope! Re switching seats: myself I note that sometimes I want to slide back on the saddle for more comfort or efficiency, your bike simply expands on that I guess.

Looks to be inspired by "Easy Rider."

Cool indeed!

I showed this bike here 4 years ago, since then I've added folding handle bars. When I was 18 (1971) I was in top shape. I went on a lot of 20 and 30 mile rides. The day I went 50, my body started complaining, elbows, neck, ect. With this bike, I switch from front to back quite often, and I don't get stiff, plus, I'm using different muscles or just using them differently, and switching seats feels like switching from tired muscles to fresh ones. The bike is heavier and less efficient than my Cannondale, but anything over 20 miles, I'm taking the 2 seater. http://www.roadrecumbent.com/

An interesting build, but doubt it is what very many folks need or want...marketing pitch aside.

OTOH, if you're going to ride 250 miles in 15 hours you need this bike (or something like it): No pain at all, just a little tired. It was great fun. I was over 60 when I did that.

Looks like a nice bike. What model is it?

It could be improved by swapping in some touring wheels preferrably with a dynohub and by adding a rack and panniers on the front.

Looks like a nice bike. What model is it?

It could be improved by swapping in some touring wheels preferrably with a dynohub and by adding a rack and panniers on the front.:lol: It's a '99 Trek 5200. There are faster bikes now, but it's a very comfortable ride as configured. I've since almost worn out those rims. I will probably replace them with Soul wheels, since I can't replace the rims. I hope they'll be as comfy as the Rolfs. Sure don't need no Dynohub . . .

The advantages of a recumbent is lowered wind resistance and greater comfort, The disadvantage of a traditional (?) recumbent is the inability to use your body weight during take off or climbing. This design seems to negate the disadvantage. Bravo. I believe the concept has a future.