mobilemail

Actually, no, but that's not my point.

My point is that in post 44 of this thread I said, "The first step to enjoying a recumbent is getting over what other people think about you, how you look, or how you ride. Some people just can't do that."

In post 46 by merlinextraligh, I am referenced in a quote that says, "the first step to enjoying a recumbent is growing a white beard and developing a beer belly"

As you can see, the reference is in error.

Stucky

I think they're interesting- especially the aerodynamics that they offer- but personally, I would not like riding in such a reclined position; or being so low to the ground; nor pedaling with my feet out-front and elevated.

FLvector

^^ You don't appear to understand how ftfy works. Don't take it personal.

StephenH

That pretty much sums it up. I know and ride with several recumbent riders. The recumbent bikes have pros and cons, and the people I know riding them were generally dealing with specific health/fit/comfort issues. Riding with a group is a problem if that means riding in a tight paceline. But in a more common ride-along-and-talk-to-your-buddies configuration, they're fine. If you get into hilly country, you'll yo-yo back and forth with upright bikes of similar overall speed.

Jiggle

I rode one once. Awwwwwkward.

merlinextraligh

It's an internet rhetorical device.

And I would suggest that if you want to enjoy riding a recumbent, it would be helpful to not get upset about white beard jokes.

banerjek

Funny that you mention that. 'Bents are more common than they were in the past, but when I'm on my trike, even cyclists sometimes mistake it for some kind of adaptive technology. I've gotten many, "Dude, I'm in awe!" comments over the years, and I nearly gave some people a heart attack who saw me flip it at speed due to rider incompetence.

The most amusing thing that happened was I once dropped a guy and his 17 y.o. kid on an 8% stretch about midway up a popular climb. As soon as I was almost out of earshot, dad cuts into the boy, saying "If THAT guy in HIS condition can do this....." I didn't have the heart to let them know I had no disability, probably rode way more than both of them combined, and was a decent climber at the time.

Stucky

ROTFL!!!!! Hilarious!

I don't think I'd care to own a bent...but I'd love to try riding one, just to see what they're like. (But my beard isn't white yet....so I guess it'll have to wait....)

Looigi

Roadie on a recumbent is an oxymoron. A roadie is typified by road racers, wannabee road racers, or posers who affect the roadie look; lycra kit, high zoot drop bar road bike with minimal accoutrements, low stretched out position. A Fred is roadie that doesn't get it, or gets it wrong. I consider myself a roadie...with a few Fredly tendencies.

banerjek

The handling is totally different. In fact, most shops and owners won't let you test ride performance machines unless they're convinced you have experience with similar bikes because you're almost certain to drop the bike. Once you get used to it, it's no big deal.

If you really want a different experience, try one with a moveable BB (i.e. the front wheel is the drive wheel). This one is super comfortable, but most people take some time getting used to mitigating pedal steer.

f4rrest

Where can I try a few in LA? Looks like a blast.

BoSoxYacht

I've ridden a few, and although they are fun, I don't want one now. Maybe that will change when I get old and fat.

They are a little like the old saying about fat chicks

f4rrest

I think it would be fun dropping folks on traditional frames going uphill. Would like to know if I could.

I'm assuming if it weighed similar and I put down the same power as on a traditional frame, why not?

BoSoxYacht

most of the time, bents are not nearly as lightweight as a traditional bike, and steep climbs are brutal on a bent.

Stucky

I consider myself a fred with a few roadie tendencies.

banerjek

You could. You'd lose ground to people you pace now, you'd pace people who lose a little ground to you now, and you'd continue to drop everyone else. For shorter hills (a few hundred yards or less), it can actually be an advantage. I push my back into the rigid carbon fiber seat while I push hard with one leg while pulling with the other. For the same reason, I have great acceleration off the line on flats.

On extended climbs, it's not horrible even if you have to ease up a bit. And yes, it's fun. If you drop roadies who don't like being dropped by 'bents on climbs, you hear them muttering expletives at themselves. If they drop you, they still are typically disappointed because they didn't leave you as far behind as they hoped. And even if they totally hand your ass to you, it's OK because everyone was expecting that to begin with. So you wind up looking reasonably good no matter what happens.

merlinextraligh

Actually, the bike I want would be a fully enclosed recumbent, with an electric motor assist for starting from stop lights, and steep hills. Would be awesome to commute to work with.

also the enclosure hides the beer gut, and somewhat obscures the white beard.

banerjek

You mean something like this? I've actually ridden something very similar to this made of carbon fiber....

mobilemail

You can chat with folks who own velos like that at bentrideronline.com. I have seen them for sale several times at $5-7K, about the same price as a high end or custom road bike. It doesn't fit my current lifestyle (company truck complete with lots of windshield time), but if I ever change jobs where I have a local work commute I will probably get one.

banerjek

I commuted in one for awhile (see below). Overheating is an issue except in cold weather (below 20°F is awesome in one of these -- no cold hands or feet and you don't have to wear hardly anything) even though I had an open bottom which brought in cool air and prevented the windshield from fogging. The problem I had is that people assumed I was electric, which I was not, and that the exterior provided protection from cars, which it also doesn't. The whole bike you see below weighs in just over 45 lbs though most velos are much heavier. They're fine for flats, hills aren't so great. The most elevation gain I've gotten in this is about 5000' which was a slog.

merlinextraligh

that is what I'm talking about. Electric assist would seem to overcome the hill issue, particularly here in FL, where you'd be using the assist for very limited periods.

Biggest hesitation to actually getting one is the heat issue; also garage space.

banerjek

Garage space is an issue. For FL, I would only consider open cockpit models that leave your head exposed. That would mitigate the heat issue while reducing aerodynamic profile which improves speed. Velomobiles are fun, but I like them much better for tooling around than for covering any kind of distance.

Bob Ross

Whoa, you have independent Left/Right braking on a trike?!?! I did not know that. Cool!

popeye

Some years ago I rode with a group that had 3 different bents come out from time to time. 2 out of the 3 got hurt hitting parked cars. That's a small sample but I had to wonder if something was going on. Some of these bikes are mechanical nightmares with lots of things to go wrong. More power to them.

banerjek

It's easier that way -- otherwise you'd need a mechanism to balance the braking force and keep everything adjusted perfectly. Besides, brake steer improves your ability to turn in a wide variety of situations. If you want to stop straight, you just apply both brakes evenly.