I prefer a pain level of 0/10 after a couple hour long ride. A recumbent may not bring you down to zero depending upon the source of your pain but if you get one that fits properly it should reduce the pain a lot. You are not bent forward with weight on your hands and arms. In my case I am reclined at a 25 degree angle with all of my weight on my back and butt. It is spread out over a much larger area than a narrow seat. There is no road or MTB that could ever match it for comfort.