Bent myths to laugh at
 

I'm starting to get a collection :-) Sounded like a good thread to me. My first was balance. I find balancing on mine much easier, because my center of mass is considerably lower, at least a foot and maybe two.

I loved my trike.

I have tried more than a few times to ride a buddies two wheel bent's, he has a stable full. My body is already heavy to one side and I simply cannot overcome "the fear" to get started on it. He tells me how easy it is and all that, but I cannot relax and let it happen.

Some are easier than others. My NoCom is a handful even for experienced bent riders, while my V-Rex is so tame that almost everyone can ride it on the first try.

Some people adapt quickly, some don't. I find that very experienced and/or very strong upright riders do poorly when starting with recumbents. (They have to be adventuresome to begin with.) Strong riders tend to pull on the handlebars when starting, which doesn't make the bike go any better and usually throws off the steering. Smooth riders like time trialists tend to well- they start smooth and understand how to push with their legs without affecting the upper body.

For me the lower center of gravity makes balancing harder than an upright although not enough to be serious problem. It's similar to the greater difficulty balancing a pencil on your finger tip compared to balancing a broomstick. The taller broomstick takes longer to fall off to one side and therefore gives you more time to reposition your hand under its center of gravity. With bikes the difference in heights isn't so dramatic and most people can adapt fairly quickly. But the old penny-farthings (or 'ordinaries') are very easy to balance even at low speeds - much easier than either regular diamond-frame bikes or recumbents.

The first recumbent I tried was a SWB at a LBS and they took me across the street to a small parking lot to give it a test. Needless to say, it didn't go well being so twitchy and not having enough space to actually get going to keep upright. To make it worse, there were 3 middle school boys sitting on their bikes watching me and I thought, "Go away kids, you bother me!"
A couple of weeks later a different LBS had their annual bike sale at our civic center and it was in a very large and open room. I tried out a black Easyracer EZ Sport and immediately rode it around and around that big room. I bought it on the spot for $800 and they had their bike mechanics there to set up any bike that was purchased. I rode it home and 16 years later I am still riding that same bike. I finally had the chain replaced this past summer but other than routine maintenance it has been a great bike. This summer I bought another EZ Sport on Craigslist for $130--same year as mine only red but with a lot fewer miles on it. I live car free using my bent to get wherever I need to go and to haul whatever I need to haul. But after all of these years I still don't get tired of people calling out to me as I ride past, "Cool bike!" or "I love your bike!"

I assumed the lower center of gravity hurt rather than helped- visualize balancing a yardstick on your outstretched palm vs balancing a pencil.

Long wheel base bents like a Rans Stratus are far easier to ride, since they are not that much different than a DF bike. The pedals are just further forward rather than under you.

The myth that all bent riders have a beard and a huge belly.

Yep. I shaved my beard. :innocent:

Yes, low center of gravity makes the bike handle quicker, but it can fall quicker too. In my experience what makes a bent easier or harder to learn is how far the seat is reclined. Sitting up straight isn't as comfortable, but the brain has an easier time acclimating in that position; while reclines of <25 degrees can be a challenge at first. Whenever possible, I recommend to new riders that they start out with the seat as upright as they can comfortably get it, and gradually lower the angle as they get used to the bike.

Unfortunately, too large a percentage of bent riders seem to revel in the stereotype of gray/white beard, pot belly, sandals, and a flag. I have none of those things, although I am slowly acquiring white sidewalls. That's OK; I want the kids to know they've just been passed by an old man.

I don't know about the belly, but now that you mention it I've never seen a bent rider around here who didn't have a beard.

I've got the beard, but not the belly. At least not a huge belly.:lol:
All myths seem to have an element of truth that get exaggerated into a defining truth.

Well there are 3 bent cyclists who regularly ride past my house and none of them have beards but then 1 of them is a woman. I've seen others on the trails but I can't recall seeing any beards they either but then they can't say the same of me. Anyways, all of our sightings are anecdotal and are worth as much.

I remember reading on one of the road bike forums somewhere and not sure if it is a myth or not but bent riders have "aerobellies". I`m not sure if that would slow you down or speed you up though. :foo:

There was a survey once for why the beards. Far and away, the top two answers were a.) too lazy to shave, and b.) demonstrating rebelliousness after having to shave when in the military. 'Trying to look like Santa Clause' didn't even register, although several respondents did a good job at it.

Before knowing people who rode Recumbents, and before I bought one the stereotypical image that came to mind typically was a late middle aged guy, likely with a notable belly, but great legs. Maybe once a hippie in their day. I think of geeky (this is a compliment from me) guys, like engineer or physicist types. Of course if they’re Physicists they likely have a beard. ;).
I imagine that these recumbent riders are well enough off and far enough along in their careers to be able to afford a recumbent bike or trike.
I guess I’m a geeky type, and I don’t have a beard. Don’t have a big belly OR great legs....;)

Opinion disputed!

Relaxing is the key,but sometimes easier said than done. My long wheelbase bent is super stable, and pretty much balances itself, but as this video shows, a tense first timer will struggle to get in under way.
I shot this many years ago when a buddy came out for a trail ride with me. He wanted to try the recumbent, so I shot a video of his attempt. You can see how tense he is, and how when he's finally able to relax, he's off and running.

Y'know how I know you've never ridden near the triathletes around NYC? :)

Hmm... you guys are causing me to re-think the priority ordering of my Dear Santa bike wish list!
- Velokraft NoCom moves down a notch
- Victory Century high roller moves up a notch

Good intel, thanks.

Velokrafts are sort of hard to get anyway. Production ended years ago, and was never what you'd call "high-volume" to begin with.

Does the Victory have a modern caliper (disc?) brake, or a period-authentic spoon brake?

I vaguely recall a modern caliper brake, but tbh it's been a long time since I saw one; for all I know those too are out of production.

It's really all a fantasy anyway, since both of those bikes wind up below the Schwinn Stingray Apple Krate on my wish list, and those have been out of production since what, 1974?

Must have a safety flag...

I said time trialists. There's a triathlete club here. I give them lots of space when I go past.