Wooden Tiger

This is true.

How do you like the recumbent? They look pretty cool but are they fun to ride? They just look like you really can't do much on them in terms of anything but fitness.

cplager

I love my 'bents. I can ride DF (diamond frame - regular) bikes, but I really don't like to anymore. On a road bike, my hands go numb. On an upright hybrid, I feel REALLY high now.

There are 'bents for everything. For speed and racing, for comfort. I commute on mine, ride for fun, have ridden a metric century (and will again in a month), rode the Tour de Bronx through the Bronx, NYC with 6,000+ other bicyclists (and a half a dozen other 'bent riders). I wouldn't go off-roading on my 'bent, but people do (e.g., this guy).

They are more comfortable, they are more aerodynamic (than the equivalent DF). It's really a win-win as far as I'm concerned. I don't climb any worse on my 'bent than on my DF bikes, but I do ride the flats and down hills a lot faster on my 'bent (this is really why people think 'bents can't climb).

Here's really what it all comes down to: ride whatever puts the smile on your face. If you're happy riding what you're riding, keep riding it. If anybody thinks 'bents look cool or are having comfort (or other) issues on DF bikes, try a 'bent. Feel free to ask me here either on the forum or by PM with any questions.

Cheers,
Charles

Neil_B

The large guy in the blue shirt in this photo rode his 75 pound trike up the side of Mount Penn in Reading.



Here's a view from the point he rode to. Reading, PA, is below.

Wooden Tiger

Are they fairly easy to ride or is there a big learning curve? I'll ride anything with wheels.

tiger187126

i do like that they also work as a lounge chair when you stop.

i prefer a normal bike frame though. with my back it's much more comfortable for me to be leaning forward than to sit up or back. i'm closing in on 20 miles on my road bike and, knock on wood, not one twinge in my back. this is a good sign because i had a pinched nerve at the end of last month and i'm not looking forward to dealing with that again anytime soon.

cplager

Some are easier than others. None are too difficult for most people.

I just sat down on a long wheel base (LWB) recumbent and rode it. No muss, no fuss. (Random picture, not my bike.)



Short wheel base (SWB) recumbents are a bit trickier, both because your feet are higher and because your weight is much closer to the front wheel, so the steering feels twitchier. Here's the standard stick recumbent:



I ride a short wheel base front-wheel-drive moving bottom bracket (MBB) 'bent. When you turn the wheels, the pedals move (the pedals are attached to the crankset is attached to the bottom bracket, hence moving bottom bracket). This take a little more time to get used to it, but I was riding on quiet streets within 30 minutes.

The chainline is much shorter on MBB bikes and the bottom bracket is usually stiffer than on a stick SWB bike.

Here I am below:




Yes, I very often use it exactly like that, too.

I can very easily believe that there are back/other conditions that make it more comfortable to ride a DF bike than a bent. I'm glad you've found something that works for you.

Cheers,
Charles

rvkhan

hey guys,
i can't say thank you so much for all you guys help and support on getting back into biking. This is for all if you guys!! All the suggestions and ideas are priceless!! Big thumbs to my buddies on here!!
Tiger I think my knee pain is partially from getting into a comfortable gear and start spinning. I have to say that once I get there I can spin and spin. I used to cycle and race mtb 20-22yrs ago and know how to ride but that was when I was in my 20s. But rediscovering my cycling is awesome. You guys make it such a blast with your stories and information. As someone stated earlier that you don't want to chince on the shorts at all. It pays to have the good padding. I use the specialized body geometry shorts. Worth it's weight in gold. Plus I ride in the specialized Comp mtb shoes. I can't ride in regular shoes anymore. It's a matter of comfort. But I can't say thank you guys enough to be part of this site. You all rock and guys we can do this!! We just have to remember to work smart and hard and we will transcend to the next level!! Keep up the great job brothers and sisters!! Take care and enjoy the rode!!

Wooden Tiger

I'm happier than anything to be back on a bike again, especially a MTB. Last year we lost our MTBs in an auto accident and that sucked. We really slacked off for '11 and were just getting back into biking for '12 when our season was abruptly ended. Since the beginning of last year I'd beeh chomping at the bit to get back on a MTB and hitting some trails.

My wife and I just got around to getting new MTBs and we've been getting on them at every chance we get for a few miles and haven't even given road biking a bit of thought.

tiger187126

glad to see everyone's having a good time, as i'm trying to increase my mileage i have learned another life lesson:

-have a repair kit and know how to use it.

i got 2 1/2 miles away from my house when my tube popped, and i had to walk the bike all the way back and then take it to a bike store to have the guy show me how to replace a tube. now i own a little seatbag kit, but i'm probably going to have to watch some youtube videos to make sure i understand it completely.

it popped right after i hit my 20th mile for the month, so maybe it was celebrating.

rvkhan

Hey guys and gals
i went for my third ride this week and can't say I enjoyed it. Lol. It's was my longest ride of the week and farthest, about 7 miles and about 30 minutes. I'm really happy I went out and still maintaining the discipline to continue. But please tell me this gets easier???!!! I have to say that I'm really feeling the good effects from it and love getting my heart rate up but my butt is sore. Lol. Sorry for complaining. Thanks guys. You're awesome on here.
Btw I'm using a pair of riding shorts by Specialized body geometry. Some very nice padding in the riding shorts. Ttys - Ray

Neil_B

Scoliosis, for instance. Being seated for long periods of time is hard on the back. Then there's my problem, a defective sense of balance. I can ride an upright but not a bent, because I can't balance on it while giving the first pedal stroke.

Neil_B

Is it sore at the sit bones? That's OK. If you are riding on soft tissues, adjust your saddle until you aren't.

Also, three rides isn't a lot of time. Give yourself a bit more time.

Wooden Tiger

Well, how far did you ride on your FIRST ride?

Depending on where you're riding, while it may get easier, it may never be easy.

If you're saddle sore and want to spend time outta the saddle, get a MTB.

tiger187126

great work, you're getting a lot more mileage at one time than me, so keep it up! i finally got some gloves that i'm going to try out today because my thumb pads were really starting to get to me.

i also realized that biking is doing more for me than just how long i can ride on the bike. i walked for 3.5 miles yesterday and it didn't really phase me and i find that i'm not breathing heavy as often.

i slacked off yesterday and blamed it on rain, so today i think i'm going to go out for 3 rides.

jethro56 

Sore is normal "sores" are not. Even guys that ride a lot have an adjustment period if they weren't able to ride in the off-season. If the sore butt is getting worse then take an extra day off. Go for a long walk to keep the exercise habit forming. As a side note the padding in the shorts isn't for padding. It's to wick sweat away from that area. If you have any skin irritation try one of Body Gluide's products.

Astrozombie

Are those 28mm tires?

rvkhan

hey Dan
thanks for responding. Yeah I agree with what you're saying. It's too soon to complain. Lmao. I do have a mtb. It's a 93 GT KARAKORAM with shimano xt components. I'm not giving in bc I love mtb so much. I'll just take it slowly. Thanks bud!!

rvkhan

Hey tiger
i know how it is bud!! I too some times have to motivate myself to do something's like biking and walking. I shoot competitive archer and this is not a struggle for me bc its a passion!! I'm making my cycling a passion and hopefully a habit. So we can do this dude. As painful and hard as yesterday was, it felt good afterwards!!
I'm glad you got the gloves man. It does make a difference IMHO. I do find that walking doesn't do much for me cardio wise unless I'm walking uphill with a 50lb. pack on my back. My legs are strong but my knees have taken a beating from powerlifting and football.
Man keep up the good work. Thanks guys!!

rvkhan

Hey Neil

The sore spots are on the sit bones. I'm glad you saidthat this is normal. Whew!!! I'm contemplating a new saddle but will give it some more time. I know my butt has to get use to it. It's the same saddle i used to do my centuries 20yrs ago. I kept my bike in pristine shape and glad I did. I will def check my seat position again but I'm sure its ok.

You're right that three rides are not nearly enough time in the saddle to say if my butt is going to or not going to be ok with the riding. I think I might have just had a bad day in the saddle. It happens.

Thanks Neil for the positive feedback buddy- Ray

tiger187126

had some slow recovery that kind of knocked me down a little bit, but a great ride tonight. gloves are working out great, but everything was numb by the time i got back. it might have something to do with the temp approaching freezing.

i can also see why people have multiple bikes. i had to run to target this morning to get a few things and i got nervous about leaving my bike, even though i have good locks and live in a place where i could probably leave it unlocked and not have to worry. the backpack to carry everything back was also not fun, it made me wish i still had my cruiser with the saddle baskets.

this endomo thing is fun though, with all the tracking and the little monthly race thing. i knew tonight that i had to ride at least 4 miles to move up a spot, even though the guy in front of me hasn't ridden in a few days and might not even be paying attention. it's just fun to try to work your way up the ladder and it gives me a reason to keep upping my mileage.

rvkhan

hey tiger I feel ya man!! I had a great ride today!! Woohoo. I hope red up some hills and my knees didn't bug me one bit!! And I also felt good in the saddle. No discomfort!! My butt might be getting use to it!! I went about 10 miles. Love it!! I stopped to watch the planes land at our plane observation park and ride. ( I live within 5 mins of the BWI airport in MD). Some cool planes too. So all in all great ride!! My body is finally being happy with me. Lol. Oh btw, I hit about 44mph going down hill. Soo cool. I passed by a state trooper doing speed trap and he gave me the thumbs up!! So awesome!!

Hey tiger I'm in the process of gettin a second bike!! I'm either going to keep this one or give it to my wife. She wants to start mtb once I get one.
I had my front wheel stolen when I went into the store. It was really bad too. So I don't even like to leave it locked up for a shot period. I hardly used my Ulock as a lock. I used it more for protection against dogs and ppl. Good luck and keep up the good work my friend!! YOU CAN DO IT BUDDY!! KEEP USING THOSE GLOVES!! Your hands will get use tout!! Try bar ends on the handlebars to give you a different hand position when riding. Plus it helps when you're standing in the saddle to power up the hills!! I love mine!! Take care buddy!!

tiger187126

i'm actually from maryland. i'm living in the midwest for a few more months, but i'm headed back there this summer. i'll have to up my game so we can hit up some long rides when i get back in town.

went out today to try a new route, forgot where to turn and ended up a lot further away then i intended. had to ride 3-4 miles directly into the wind to finish the ride, which absolutely killed me. kept my speed up and ended up with 8.24 miles in 42 minutes. that's a personal best for mileage, longest time on the bike, and upped my average speed doing it @ 11.8mph.

i took the lock off my bike because it makes a ridiculous noise while i'm riding. i probably wouldn't lock it up anywhere but the target i rode it to, because i know that's a safe area. there is a walmart 4.5 miles away from my house that's a long straight road. i would like to ride down there, but i gotta wait for this wind to die down.

rvkhan

Hey tiger
No way dude! That's awesome. Where abouts in Maryland are you from? I literally live by the airport by Dorsey road!! That's so awesome. Man let's def get together and do some biking. It doesn't have yo be long. Once we are on them and having fun!! I look forward to it buddy!! Keep up the good work man!! I'll have to catch up to you!!
I hear about having extra stuff on my bike. I just found my smaller camelbak and use that now for water and carry all my other necessary stuff but no room on bike. I do have a under saddle bag but I keep that for tools and patch kit!!

Def let hook up when you get in town for some bike riding and just to hang out. Talk to you soon man!! - Ray

Neil_B

rvkhan, I'm riding in WV on Saturday. My plans are to drive home to PA on Sunday. I can swing by 'Balmer' and meet you for a ride if you like. I assume you've ridden the trail between the airport and Annapolis? I rode it in 2009 as part of a two week bike tour.

rvkhan

Hey Neil,
Man that would be so awesome, but I'm crazy busy with classes and teaching archery lessons. Man I would love that so much though. Thank so much for the offer. I wish I could rearrange my schedule just for the bike ride and to meet up. May be we could do it another time. We could meet down in Frederick Md or somewhere in between.
Or maybe we could do the whole 26 mile BWI trail. It also cool to get tiger187126 to ride with us. Let me know what you think. Thanks again Neil -Ray