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If your asked, "why a recumbent?"

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Old 05-24-15 | 05:01 PM
  #1  
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If your asked, "why a recumbent?"

Try these,

-no butt pain.
-no crotch pain.
-no back pain.
-no neck pain.
-no wrist pain.
-no hand pain.
-sit on a lawn chair instead of a fence post.
-face forward instead of face down.

got any more ?
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Old 05-24-15 | 08:33 PM
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Safety.

This was the only reason I switched.
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Old 05-24-15 | 08:36 PM
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Old 05-24-15 | 08:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Shahmatt
Safety.

This was the only reason I switched.
Not as far to fall to the ground as from a DF, generally. Less risk of endos. But, not aware of any data that shows less risk of injury/death on 'bents as opposed to safety bikes.
Get hit by a truck on either kind of bike ---> no difference.
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Old 05-24-15 | 08:57 PM
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Originally Posted by JanMM
Not as far to fall to the ground as from a DF, generally. Less risk of endos. But, not aware of any data that shows less risk of injury/death on 'bents as opposed to safety bikes.
Get hit by a truck on either kind of bike ---> no difference.
I first became acquainted with bents after watching a video for an Airzound airhorn (which at the time I was considering buying) demonstrated by the youtube personality "CyclingMikey", who I believe rides a Challenge Fujin lowracer. IIRC he is also a driving instructor.

In several of his videos he swears by the improved motorist behavior when he rides his bent. Somehow he is more visible. This despite his beat being usually in the crowded and busy streets of London city. Furthermore he rides a lowracer and no flag either (I checked). He puts it down to the unique shape of the bike somehow catching the eye of motorists. Thus it could be inferred that a regular upright is in fact seen, but not registered/noticed by motorists, or simply it seems to be that regular cyclists are taken for granted.

My situation is much the same. I ride in a city environment with fast moving vehicles and frequent road junctions. I made the switch in light of this info. I am happy to say that it works. It is rare that I am buzzed by a motorist these days. Riding on city roads has become far more pleasant.
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Old 05-24-15 | 09:05 PM
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How much do recumbent bikes usually weigh?
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Old 05-24-15 | 09:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Rcrxjlb
How much do recumbent bikes usually weigh?
My two single recumbent bikes, one a long wheelbase and the other a short wheelbase, each weigh about 30 pounds. That's not unusual for a cromo steel 'bent. Our tandem is somewhere around 45 pounds - haven't weighed it.
A 25 pound 'bent would be considered pretty light.
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Old 05-24-15 | 09:19 PM
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Originally Posted by Shahmatt
I first became acquainted with bents after watching a video for an Airzound airhorn (which at the time I was considering buying) demonstrated by the youtube personality "CyclingMikey", who I believe rides a Challenge Fujin lowracer. IIRC he is also a driving instructor.

In several of his videos he swears by the improved motorist behavior when he rides his bent. Somehow he is more visible. This despite his beat being usually in the crowded and busy streets of London city. Furthermore he rides a lowracer and no flag either (I checked). He puts it down to the unique shape of the bike somehow catching the eye of motorists. Thus it could be inferred that a regular upright is in fact seen, but not registered/noticed by motorists, or simply it seems to be that regular cyclists are taken for granted.

My situation is much the same. I ride in a city environment with fast moving vehicles and frequent road junctions. I made the switch in light of this info. I am happy to say that it works. It is rare that I am buzzed by a motorist these days. Riding on city roads has become far more pleasant.
So, you and CyclingMikey and me ride 'bents in the city and are still alive. That's good but it's a stretch to extrapolate from that to say that 'bents are safer than 'normal' bikes.
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Old 05-24-15 | 09:55 PM
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Originally Posted by JanMM
So, you and CyclingMikey and me ride 'bents in the city and are still alive. That's good but it's a stretch to extrapolate from that to say that 'bents are safer than 'normal' bikes.
My own bent riding experience has borne true CMs observation. Surely more space by motorists contributes to safety! It also has the added positive side effect of relaxing me, and being relaxed helps lots in not making stupid decisions.

A second safety consideration was speed. Bents are faster. The faster you go the closer you are to matching vehicle speeds. When the speeds are more evenly matched you have more time to make decisions. You also feel more comfortable taking the lane. Also again, more relaxed!

The seated front facing posture is great for taking in the environment. Another plus for safety.

Breaking hard on the front wheel (the more effective wheel for slowing down) is less likely to result in me getting thrown over the handlebars because the handlebars are literally in the way (unless you've got USS).

That's just from the top of my head. I'm sure there are more.
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Old 05-24-15 | 10:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Shahmatt
Safety.

This was the only reason I switched.
Same for me...Never want to crash again.

My butt is now 10 inches above the road.

Front wheels are 38 inches apart.

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Old 05-24-15 | 10:02 PM
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So you look like a cuCUMBEr.
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Old 05-24-15 | 10:04 PM
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"I got tired of waiting for my Brooks to break in"

...is what I'd say if my wife would let me have a recumbent
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Old 05-24-15 | 10:09 PM
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Originally Posted by molten
So you look like a cuCUMBEr.
With two holes drilled into my head.

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Old 05-25-15 | 09:16 AM
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Bikes: Catrike 700; Bike Friday Llama single; Bike Friday Tandem Tuesday; Easy Racers Ti-Rush recumbent; Catrike Expedition; Rans Seavo tandem

- it's fun
- lots of people want to talk with you, or even test ride it.
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Old 05-25-15 | 10:13 AM
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+1 on post #1 and #2 !!!

Plus sitting on a DF with you rump way up in the air and your head down makes you look like an old hen picking at a cow pie. And-----------life is too short to abuse your body on a DF!!!!
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Old 05-26-15 | 09:39 AM
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Faster (M5)
More respect/visibility from motorists (all of them)
More comfortable (all of them)
Safer (endos and falls)

I also concur with Cycling Monkey's experience. for some reason, a bent causes drivers to give me a lot more room. The bent's that have a mesh seat (Ryan, P-38 and now the Trice) give me the most room from cars. There was a thread on this on BROL: I attribute it to the "gimp factor". Riding a bent, particularly a trike, is associated with being disabled- no one wants to hit a gimp- so therefore cars are more cautious around bents. I won't insist on that interpretation, but it seems to fit the facts.
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Old 05-26-15 | 11:17 AM
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Originally Posted by delcrossv

Riding a bent,........., is associated with being disabled- no one wants to hit a gimp- so therefore cars are more cautious around bents.
I can relate to that.....I've been accused of being paralyzed from the neck up.
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Old 05-26-15 | 12:26 PM
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My answer: "Why not."

If somebody has a specific question I'm glad to give an honest, objective answer. I'm old enough, however, to have grown tired of constant "There's my way and there's the wrong way" bickering.
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Old 05-26-15 | 12:54 PM
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Originally Posted by JanMM
I can relate to that.....I've been accused of being paralyzed from the neck up.
As long as it works for you......
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Old 05-26-15 | 02:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Rcrxjlb
How much do recumbent bikes usually weigh?
My Long Wheel Base Easy Racer Tour Easy LE model was 36 pounds from the factory.
I added a few things, now It's 41 pounds. Even a fatter rear tire..
Did I slow it down ? No,, I got stronger,, I can hang with wedgie bikes when they are piloted with riders my age or even,,ten years younger...

BUT I cannot draft with them...


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Old 05-26-15 | 02:38 PM
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I'm in it for the babes. Recumbent riders get all the babes.
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Old 05-26-15 | 02:45 PM
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Originally Posted by 10 Wheels
Same for me...Never want to crash again.

My butt is now 10 inches above the road.

Front wheels are 38 inches apart.

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Old 05-29-15 | 08:01 AM
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Or why ride a bike (DF) that is an antique invented in approx 1895? Ride a modern bike, a recumbent that is fast, safe, and causes no pain!!!
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Old 05-29-15 | 10:36 AM
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Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.

Why ride a recumbent? I can't understand why there are so many people who don't."
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Old 05-29-15 | 12:01 PM
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Do, or do not. No "why" there is.
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