Originally Posted by
WNCGoater
Let me start by addressing the recumbents. I have no problem if you want to ride recumbents. Good for you. I personally do not even consider them as bicycles in the traditional sense, but I don't mean that as an insult. When I, or most people for that matter, think of riding a bike, I think of upright, two wheeled, typical diamond frame bicycle. And further, I see some people around here riding recumbents. Admittedly, they look very cozy and comfortable...and very much even more dangerous than a traditional road or hybrid bike, for no other reason than reduced visibility. Simply no way I would ride in traffic with my uppermost point being about 3 feet above the road. At 6'2" on my large frame road bike, I am at eye level with most motorists. Does that make me more visible? In my mind at least, yes. I'm also not sure how those pedal over some of our significant climbs in this mountainous region I call home. So no, I'm not against recumbents, if you like them, great.
And so on to my point, which is specific to upright, traditional, bicycles. I regularly read about "pain" while riding. I personally experience pain while riding. I suffer arthritis in my neck, have lower back pain, carpal tunnel issues, knee pain, and various & sundry pains on usually a normal daily basis and so why would this not carry over to riding? One or more of these crop up on most rides of any distance. Obviously, pain on bikes, at least in our age group, is very common based on the number of threads addressing various pain issues.
But then I often see a typical response such as...
"Why would anyone ride a bike that causes pain". This response is particularly irritating because it is typically in response to a question about, saddle pain, knee pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, or a myriad of other aches and pains one experiences while riding. I always want to answer that question with...
"Well duh Sherlock, that's the point of the question, no one WANTS to ride a bike that causes pain, that's why they are on here looking for suggestions of eliminating that pain."
Recumbent bicycles are bicycles. Period. There are all kinds, sizes and shapes of bikes and some of those are recumbent variations.
Dangerous? You have some data showing that people on recumbent bikes are at more risk of death or injury?
I don't think so.
I've put on about 1600 miles so far this year commuting to work (suburban/urban/suburban round trips) and am at eye level with the majority of motorists I encounter. Still alive and kicking.
Didn't have major discomfort issues in the several decades of cycling prior to switching to 'bents exclusively a few years ago. I do indeed, though, have less discomfort now than before. But, my legs still get quite tired at times.
(My standard answer to What saddle? used to be WTB Rocket V Race.)