Originally Posted by
Darth Lefty
Good luck, Tundra Man. I was told to stay off regular bikes (and a few other restrictions, like lifting >40 lb) for six months. This is inconsistent, other people get told 12 weeks or a year. Not due to heart or strength, but risk of reinjuring the chest in a wreck. That puts me back in the saddle in September. But my surgeon seems like he’s very conservative up front and then relaxes as the recovery proceeds, so we’ll see what he says. And anyhow that’s why I got the recumbent. If any doctor asks, it has no wheels, but it really has three. Shhh! I also resolved not to try any serious MTB stuff, like tooth rattling descents or big drops, for a year.
I've actually been toying with the idea of getting a recumbent trike so I can keep riding during my recovery period (probably got the idea from you.) The doctor already told me that I could use a recumbent exercise bicycle during my rehab, and I don't see much difference between a recumbent that sits in the gym on legs and one that rolls down the MUP on three wheels.
I know crashing is a concern, but frankly we'd be in an equal world of hurt if we were in a car accident and smashed our sternum against the seat belt. So I don't see much difference there. There's always going to be some risk of something bad happening. During recovery I could trip and fall down the stairs and re-break my chest, but I don't think I'm going to avoid the basement because of that risk.
My biggest concern with the trike is visibility. They sit so much lower to the ground that I would feel pretty vulnerable in traffic. I could do most of my riding on the MUP, but I have to ride some busy streets on either end.
Plus, they don't give those things away so money is an obvious factor as well.