Bike Forums - View Single Post - Newbie needs advice

01-26-06 | 05:19 AM

#2

squeaker

Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 50

Likes: 0

From: West Sussex, England

Bikes: Much modified 60's Carlton Corsa, Marin East Peak, Kona Caldera, Challenge Mistral

Which models should I consider? How long is a piece of string? It all depends what type of riding you want to do and what your budget is... Everybody has different ideas on what is 'best', as you are probably about to find out!
How much should I expect to spend? New, probably in excess of £1250 (UK) - others will give you a USD figure...
What's the best type of seat? For what? Hard shell seats tend to be more for performance bikes as you can push harder into them compared with mesh seats, which are better ventilated and provide a degree of suspension, but tend to give a bit when you are hammering...
Are recumbents for on-road use only or can they be ridden off-road? How far off road? There are some who ride seriously off-road (there are also some who ride unicycles off-road), but a fundamental limitation is that you tend to be more locked into the seat, as compared with a MTB where you can move your whole weight around a lot...
If the transition from upright to recumbent is major, should I rent one to make sure I like it? See next question - there are a few basics which are completely different e.g. you don't pull on the bars like on a DF bike; you need to push with your legs when braking hard, etc. which can catch you out at first, but basically it's as easy as riding a(nother) bike
Any other suggestions/considerations? Find a dealer (or better still, dealers) who run a try-out programme and just spend as much time on as many different bikes as possible to find out what works for you. Ultimately you will have to take the plunge: if money is no object then buy what you fancy and put in some miles - alternatively buy secondhand. You may well find that your ideas (as well as your physical condition) change with time and something else might suit you better, or maybe you just fancy a change

Enjoy

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