Originally Posted by Henrius

Don't understand most of these comments. What is the big deal about rear view mirrors? Easy to mount except on USS bikes. Better than turning your head around anyway. Do you not use rear view mirrors in a car?

I have ridden my bents in Atlanta downtown traffic for 25 years. Get noticed more than upright bikes, especially with my high-end day taillights. Easy to put my feet down on both sides while still on the seat when stopped.

I have been hit identically by passing car mirror on upright bikes and bents. MUCH less damage on a recumbent, because your butt takes the impact. On uprights, it is over-the-handlebars your head goes. So many upright cyclists end up paralyzed in Shepherd Spinal Center in Atlanta. That being said, HighRacers are my least favorite bent because of the higher distance for your butt to fall.

Can't understand the comment of lack of tire sizes. Maybe not at your local shop, but there are all sorts of 20" tires from slim to fat available. Rear is usually 750, 26", or rarely 650. No shortage of tires there either. Schwalbe is my fav for puncture resistance.

You can never climb as fast on a bent because:

1. You cannot stand up and apply your weight to the pedals.
2. With the exception of MBB bents, you cannot utilize your arms to get the pedals down.

Bents win on flats and downhills every time, but lose on the uphills. But some bents like Cruzbike come close on uphills.

Bikes would be different if the notorious International Cycling Federation had not banned them from competition when a French cyclist started winning on one in 1934.