Yeah I was not impressed with the recumbent exercise bike I have (sis has now). I mean it is good for what it was meant, but it certainly was not interesting or fun. But then again I didn't buy it for pleasure or adventure now did I? I am sure the OP suggested it in an effort to see if I would even be able to endure something of the sort.

Anywho, I got to test rid a few recumbent's today. I was up mid state picking up a mower deck for my JD tractor and after doing a search for dealers in my state the night before discovered there was one in the very town I was to go to. I rode 4 different ones, the Sun Easy Sport, RANS V-Rex and Stratus LE, and one other one similar to the V-Rex but I was so turned off by it I never got the name of it. The squirrelly steering of all of them definitely took some getting use to for sure, but I picked up on it after a half a block or so on each of them.

Of the four I was impressed mostly by the V-Rex to my surprise. I didn't think I would looking at it, mainly because it looks so odd if nothing else. I liked the Status as well, but would have to ride them both again one after the other to say which of the two I liked better. The Strat was the first I tried and the V-Rex was the last. I think I liked the fact that the pedals were up higher on the V-Rex for one, and I also seemed to get a good feel for the shorter wheelbase, though the other one similar to it that I rode was the same style but was NOTHING like the V-Rex in so many ways. The handle bars were way closer to the seat and I felt cramped in. I didn't get that feel on the V-Rex at all. Another thing I liked about the V-Rex was the fact that the handle bars folded forward to ease getting in and out. I wish I could remember what brand of the other one, though no matter other than to avoid it all together.

The dealer did not stock any tadpoles unfortunately, but at least I got a taste of the two wheelers. It certainly was not what I was expecting, but then again I didn't know what to expect. The owner of the shop was very helpful and spent a great deal of time with me even though I informed him up front that I was simply trying to get a taste for them and was not going to make any purchases at this time. I did learn that the seats on the two RANS I rode were AWESOME. Actually just as comfortable of not more than my recliner here at home in respect to lumbar support and the seat area itself. I can see me riding in one for quite some time without much discomfort, though I could very well be proved wrong on that after 20 miles or so...LOL In any event it did not appear to bother my tail bone at all in the time I spent in them, which is more than I can say for most chairs let alone a bike seat.

All in all it was a great experience,and as such I look forward to trying out the tadpoles in the near future to compare the two totally different animals