What do you like most about your recumbents?

**wwiding** · 12-10-11, 08:18 PM

I have no room in the budget right now for another bike, but occasionally I see recumbents and think about how comfortable it would be to ride one to work every day.
Maybe if I can get the parts and supplies, and a part time job for a few weeks, I could build one next summer.
Any way, what do you like about your recumbents over DF bikes?
Maybe I can find a few to try out in my area.
Some times I like to dream about owning a recumbent to ride to work, haul groceries, and ride covered in the rain without owning an actual velomobile. Hey, I can dream can't I

**Notso_fastLane** · 12-10-11, 09:34 PM

You might check out ebay. There's a dealer in Renton, WA that's going out of business and selling the last of his stock on ebay pretty cheaply. (I just bought my first bent from this guy, and since I'm local, saved over $100 in shipping.) I should be riding it by the middle of the week.

**Jeff Wills** · 12-10-11, 09:54 PM

Well... if you're worried about rain, get a good set of fenders and a rain jacket. Or a velomobile. Even Lycra body socks aren't really good at keeping the rain off.

What do I like about recumbents? I loaned mine to my girlfriend for a few minutes and she said "get me one". We'll have our 20th anniversary next July. Coincidence? I think not.

**jmio** · 12-11-11, 02:55 AM

rbr.info is a great website, sells performer bents, the lowracer and high racer can be had at 1700 dollars. I have a mid racer right now, and i'm almost half tempted to order the lowracer for curiosity sakes. I like the aerodynamics, comfort, SPEED, and fun of my bent. I have a rans xstream. The one thing i don't like is having to make some tight turns on bike paths. it takes a lot of concentration, and sometimes it's frustrating. other than that, the thing is an absolute rocket!

**wwiding** · 12-11-11, 03:42 AM

I wish I had $1700 to drop on a bike! I've been looking at plans for no weld DIY recumbents and think I might be able to find most of the bikes and parts need to build one in the trash.
I wonder how many people have built these no weld bikes and liked them?

**Dudelsack** · 12-11-11, 07:21 AM

Bents are much more human-body friendly. My neck and shoulders aren't killing me after a 30 mile ride.

I know next to nothing about building bikes. You might check out the Bacchetta site. You can buy the frame (really, a big metal stick) on the cheap and then build it up.

**Peter_C** · 12-11-11, 08:32 AM

For me, it's the comfort level. That's all the reason I need~!

This website is ran by a BROL member and will help you learn how to make your own recumbent. Will sell you pieces, all the way up to a complete bike. https://sites.google.com/site/recycledrecumbents/

**flypaca** · 12-11-11, 10:01 AM

Hi, just a note about the build it yourself bents. I have built several both moving bb and easy racer style. I like both but find that a short wheelbase with the accompning long chain and management issues to be very fussy. The longer chain on an easy racer style is much easier to live with. Atom bikes has a set of plans for a mbb conversion and Bentech.com has both plans and kits for both styles of bents. Ride several if possible before committing to one or the other.
Peter

**bobbycorno** · 12-11-11, 12:39 PM

Just for the record, I have NO comfort issues with any of my 3 df's. I ride my (Performer Agenda semi-low) 'bent because I LIKE IT, same as the other bikes. Why? 1) it's just plain fun 2) it's FAST, especially on rollies or in the wind 3) it's easier to look around at my surroundings, no matter how hard I'm riding.

Yeah, my road bike (18lb cf) is faster up hills, about the same speed over all as my 'bent, and fun in its own way. And it's an absolute GAS to hit the singletrack on my FS mtn bike. My French-style, 650b-conversion commuter-rando bike is smooth, stable and an absolute joy to hop on and ride all day (or longer). If it came down to picking just one to keep, I'd be hard-pressed to choose between the 'bent and the 650b. Hopefully, I'll never have to make that decision. I like ALL my bikes too much.

SP
Bend, OR

**wwiding** · 12-11-11, 01:30 PM

Hey guys thanks for all the links. Maybe if I can get the junk parts free or cheap, I'll borrow a welder and learn on some old metal. Or take the bike to a shop.
I still don't plan on getting one till maybe the end of winter, but if I find the parts, and it's cheap enough...

**Northwestrider** · 12-11-11, 01:43 PM

ahh it's comfort

**scrapser** · 12-12-11, 09:06 AM

For me, I like how the bike rides differently from a DF. I do enjoy the comfort but it's much more than that. My bike requires a shift in my control awareness which has a side effect of raising my overall awareness at the same time. I also enjoy the full panoramic view while riding and get a kick out of turning heads. The Slipstream is really a grand looking bike and looks nothing like DF or even most recumbents.

**Cyclebum** · 12-12-11, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by wwiding

Any way, what do you like about your recumbents over DF bikes?

Comfort and the panoramic view. Plus that cup of coffee in its holder on the bar and a radio behind the seat back. Cruise as long as the legs allow, and arrive with nothing aching but tired legs. Oh, it is an attention getter for sure, and drivers usually get over a bit more. If none of these things are important to you, might as well stick with a DF. Its more maneuverable, packs easier for shipping if used for touring, and climbs faster.

**BlazingPedals** · 12-12-11, 01:48 PM

Well... I got my first one for comfort. My subsequent ones were for speed. For foolin' around and commuting, you can't go wrong with something from recycled recumbents.
http://sites.google.com/site/recycledrecumbents/home
You build it using whatever parts you already have, and buy just what you need.

I don't know about rain protection, though. I've found that riding in the rain is better with an upright; on a bent the water pools on my lap and runs up my sleeves to pool at my elbows. A front fairing will help with a light drizzle, though.

**Dudelsack** · 12-12-11, 02:56 PM

Originally Posted by bobbycorno

Just for the record, I have NO comfort issues with any of my 3 df's. I ride my (Performer Agenda semi-low) 'bent because I LIKE IT, same as the other bikes. Why? 1) it's just plain fun 2) it's FAST, especially on rollies or in the wind 3) it's easier to look around at my surroundings, no matter how hard I'm riding.

Yeah, my road bike (18lb cf) is faster up hills, about the same speed over all as my 'bent, and fun in its own way. And it's an absolute GAS to hit the singletrack on my FS mtn bike. My French-style, 650b-conversion commuter-rando bike is smooth, stable and an absolute joy to hop on and ride all day (or longer). If it came down to picking just one to keep, I'd be hard-pressed to choose between the 'bent and the 650b. Hopefully, I'll never have to make that decision. I like ALL my bikes too much.

SP
Bend, OR

So many bikes, so little time....sigh....

**rydabent** · 12-13-11, 08:19 AM

With me and almost everyone that you read about the number one thing by far is comfort. You can ride for several hours, or even all day without pain. Will you get tired if you ride all day----of course, but there is no pain that is associated with DF bikes. Personally I think riding in pain is stupid.

Add to that the safety and the view, I think that over 90% of cyclist would be better served by riding a bent.

**pick** · 12-13-11, 06:01 PM

for me, i had no choice - it was move to a 'bent trike or stop riding. i have carpal tunnel in both wrists and cubital tunnel in both elbows...riding a df became an exercise in agony. on the trike, no issues because there is no weight load on my arms...went for a ride 2 days after surgery on my right wrist and elbow with my arm in a full splint and sling - could not do that on anything but a trike! (excuse the typing - got my stitches out yesterday and still typing 1 fingered and lefty -i'm a righty). i am a full convert to 'bents, may try the 2 wheeled version when both arms are all good!

**Artkansas** · 12-14-11, 02:49 PM

The heads up riding position which gives a great view and the fact that my neck doesn't hurt from trying to hold my head up in an unnatural position for hours.

**rydabent** · 12-15-11, 09:37 AM

Most of the reason for a bent is comfort and the view. When I got my first bent, I was used to riding one of 3 routes of about 20 miles. After the first 3 or 4 times getting home really quick, I extended my routes to 30 to 35 miles. Yes bent are that good!!!!

**Floyd** · 12-16-11, 12:58 PM

My reasons for liking bents have beeen said...comfort and the view, without stretching your neck. Then there is the cool factor of being different, although that is changing as more people find the joy of bent......