This thread has been a whole education.
I had no idea there was so many options for bent riders, and that they were a complete sub-culture to the traditional bike riders.

But I still have no overwhelming urge to have one in my stable.

Yes, but it is better to have loved and lost than never have loved at all.

Most bents can be converted to IGH with a minimum of fuss. One of the real challenges in converting some upright bikes is achieving a proper chain line. This isn't so much an issue with the long chains on a bent.

That's cool. You'd probably have to grow a goatee and learn the handshake first anyway.

Benders responding to the call:

Rans V-Rex SWB recumbent is my rando bike, as well as my choice for most rides over 20 miles. My daily commuter, utility bike, and sometimes club rider is a '70's Motobecane Grand Jubile that's a joy to ride. Unfortunately, my spinal cord becomes enraged if I ride the Motobecane too much.

I terms of number of rides, I'm guessing 80% Motobecane to 20% V-Rex. In terms of miles, maybe 75% V-Rex to 25% Motobecane. I totally made those numbers up.

I might possibly get away with a 200k on the Moto if I stop and stretch my back out frequently, but 300k or beyond seems unrealistic. In the last four years I've done 2 SR series, PBP, and the National 24 Hour Challenge on the V-Rex. I'd like a faster bent, but the V-Rex seems to climb pretty darn well.

here ya go. No IGH or mid drives or anything, just deraillers.

That's a thing with bents. The fastest one is easier to push at slower speeds, too; and it isn't any less comfy than the slow one. So the faster they are, the better they are for distance, hills, speed, plain old club rides... everything!

Dudelsack -

I have a tandem trike:



It's called Big Red and built by Greenspeed.

I thought I could get my wife out for some exercise. She has osteoporosis (a fall would be horrible) and weak legs. She rides with me occasionally for short distances but is not really into it.

Instead I ride with guest stokers when I can find them. This past Sunday, Karen (of the FANY Ride) and I did the 44.4 mile loop around Lake Keuka at the Great Finger Lakes Bike Tour. Sometimes I take it out solo. Altogether it probably gets a 100 or so miles per year, so just a few percent of my total.

The advantage of a trike compared to a 2 wheeled recumbent: very stable. The tandem is even more so. You can roll a trike if you take a corner too fast. The tandem is so heavy, I think it would just slide (but I haven't tried the experiment!).

The disadvantage: every pot hole gets three tries at you!

- Ed