If your asked, "why a recumbent?"
#1
Old Fart In Training
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,268
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 22 Times
in
16 Posts
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
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Metro Indy, IN
Posts: 16,215
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 653 Post(s)
Liked 345 Times
in
225 Posts
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.
__________________
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
#5
Senior Member
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.
#6
Full Member
How much do recumbent bikes usually weigh?
#7
rebmeM roineS
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Metro Indy, IN
Posts: 16,215
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 653 Post(s)
Liked 345 Times
in
225 Posts
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.
__________________
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
#8
rebmeM roineS
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Metro Indy, IN
Posts: 16,215
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 653 Post(s)
Liked 345 Times
in
225 Posts
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.
__________________
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
#9
Senior Member
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.
#12
Disco Infiltrator
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Folsom CA
Posts: 13,775
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3124 Post(s)
Liked 2,101 Times
in
1,366 Posts
"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
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17
Genesis 49:16-17
#14
Senior Member
- 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.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Scalarville
Posts: 1,457
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
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
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Metro Indy, IN
Posts: 16,215
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 653 Post(s)
Liked 345 Times
in
225 Posts
I can relate to that.....I've been accused of being paralyzed from the neck up.
__________________
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: St Peters, Missouri
Posts: 30,225
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1572 Post(s)
Liked 642 Times
in
363 Posts
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.
__________________
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
Old Fart In Training
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,268
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 22 Times
in
16 Posts
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.
#21
Senior Member
I'm in it for the babes. Recumbent riders get all the babes.
__________________
Momento mori, amor fati.
Momento mori, amor fati.
#22
Senior Member
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Lincoln Ne
Posts: 9,920
Bikes: RANS Stratus TerraTrike Tour II
Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3345 Post(s)
Liked 1,054 Times
in
634 Posts
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!!!
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: St Peters, Missouri
Posts: 30,225
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1572 Post(s)
Liked 642 Times
in
363 Posts
Why ride a recumbent? I can't understand why there are so many people who don't."
__________________
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.
#25
Senior Member
Do, or do not. No "why" there is.