No. Pedaling a lot will tire your legs regardless of position but my legs probably tire less quickly in a relaxing, reclined position. Reclining in an easy chair is more relaxing than sitting upright on a barstool don't you think?


It looks harder to balance on your back, but with a little practice, my own ability to balance while reclined was no more difficult than doing so in an upright position. While I can't wheelstand, I can maintain balance while barely moving along behind pedestrians. I feel more stable because of the vastly lower center of gravity. In fact, after having ridden a recumbent for an extended period, when I return to riding a regular bike I sometimes suffer some momentary anxiety due to the exposed, elevated postion. It feels top-heavy riding this way and I'm more aware of how vulnerable I am to an "endo" incident.


This depends on personal preference. Dual 26-inch recumbents generally place your body higher off the ground (with a higher center of gravity, if this matters to you) but the big wheels are probably more road-worthy in being able to handle rougher surface conditions, driveways, potholes, etc. There's also the advantage of a single tire size instead of stocking two different tires and tubes. A 20-inch front, however, will keep the bottom bracket lower, hence making it easier to start and stop, which is especially important if you are of shorter stature.

Just ride some different bents and make your own conclusions.