If your asked, "why a recumbent?"
#1
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 ?
-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 ?
#4
rebmeM roineS

Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,231
Likes: 366
From: Metro Indy, IN
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
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.
Get hit by a truck on either kind of bike ---> no difference.
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Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 473
Likes: 2
From: Singapore
Bikes: Cruzbike Flamingo folding conversion, Oyama East Village
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.
#7
rebmeM roineS

Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,231
Likes: 366
From: Metro Indy, IN
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
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.
A 25 pound 'bent would be considered pretty light.
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Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
#8
rebmeM roineS

Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,231
Likes: 366
From: Metro Indy, IN
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
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.
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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Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
#9
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 473
Likes: 2
From: Singapore
Bikes: Cruzbike Flamingo folding conversion, Oyama East Village
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.
#10
Galveston County Texas
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 33,335
Likes: 1,286
From: In The Wind
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
#12
Disco Infiltrator




Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,350
Likes: 3,551
From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
"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
...is what I'd say if my wife would let me have a recumbent
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Genesis 49:16-17
"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."
Genesis 49:16-17
"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."
#14
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 549
Likes: 44
From: Houston area
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.
- lots of people want to talk with you, or even test ride it.
#15
Banned
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,923
Likes: 1,066
From: Lincoln Ne
Bikes: RANS Stratus TerraTrike Tour II
#16
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.
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.
#17
rebmeM roineS

Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,231
Likes: 366
From: Metro Indy, IN
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
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Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
#18
Senior Member


Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 30,225
Likes: 649
From: St Peters, Missouri
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
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.
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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My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
#20
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...
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...
Last edited by osco53; 11-29-16 at 06:31 AM.
#22
Senior Member


Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 6,647
Likes: 97
From: South Hutchinson Island
Bikes: Lectric Xpedition.
#24
Senior Member


Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 30,225
Likes: 649
From: St Peters, Missouri
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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My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.







