Originally Posted by Trikin'

Don't rule out rebumbent trikes, I don't know what seating you'd be most comfortable with.
I have a Catrike Trail since '09 with the mesh seat it creates a sling that's very comfortable.
You can buy used or new for under $2000

Originally Posted by Cyclebum

Good luck with your medical issue. Fairly common thing that usually does not limit riding DFs, once cleared up. Not usually caused by riding DFs either. I do have a 75 yo buddy who is having to switch to a bent, but his prostate issues are more complicated than normal, and his doc, a cyclist, has demanded he quit DFs. Once he gets past the 'image' thing, he'll wonder why he waited so long.

I have recently switched, to a lwb Tour Easy for long distance cruising. Very sweet machine. My reasons were all comfort related.

Originally Posted by VegasTriker

If you live in eastern Iowa, the obvious place to go to try out a large variety of recumbents is the Hostel Shoppe in Stevens Point, WI. They are the sponsor of the Midwest Recumbent Rally in mid-August. The shop has an excellent reputation among recumbent owners.

If your idea of the optimum road bike is a sub-20 pound carbon frame bike, you are probably going to be disappointed by most recumbents. In general, they are heavier than DF bikes. That's especially true for trikes. That said, I would probably be riding only a few hundred miles a year on my ancient 21 pound Motobecane LeChampion road bike instead of the several thousand I ride on my Greenspeed GTO trike.