Marauder recumbent
 

I keep seeing pics of this design and finally found the web site - www.atomiczombie.com. Then I bought the guy's book Atomic Zombie's Bicycle Builder's Bonanza, but haven't started my recumbent yet.

I don't have very good balance so don't know if this style of lowracer is right for me.

Anyone have problems with vehicle drivers not seeing you when you're riding a bike so low to the ground? I guess having a disc brake is a must?

Do you have any experience riding recumbents? If not, such a low bike might not be your best first choice. It seems that balance is tricky for first timers on really low bikes.

I have a relatively low front wheel drive bike, and I absolutely will not ride it on heavily traveled roads...too many cars going way too fast.

I suppose you could mount lights and flags, streamers, etc to increase your visibility.

I've never ridden a recumbent, but lots of people in this forum say they're great and easy to ride once you get the hang of it. Maybe a Marauder style is too low for my first 'bent. There's another one in the book called KoolKat that's higher off the ground and the pedals are also out front up higher so maybe that's more my style until I get a little braver.

I'm worried the most about drivers not seeing me and road conditions. I'll bet potholes will send you flying. Maybe I can mount a large neon sign behind my seat, "Please don't hit me." I plan on riding on quieter streets and recreation trails mainly. No way I'd ride even an upright bike in my city on busy streets. Cyclists are target practice for road rage drivers too busy text messaging their buddies than paying attention to the road. Scary, but true. Thanks for the input.

If you're only going to do trails, then something like the Maruader would be good...but you still have balance issue. The KoolKat would be very easy to build (compared to the Maruader). It's best to select a design that you will follow thru to completion and enjoy, rather than spend alot of time and get frustrated and stop the build before you even get a chance to ride it. And the KoolKat has a much higher seat, so it will help with balance issues, even though you may feel uneasy with the high seat/pedals at first.
Another option would be a Toureasy clone, which many people have built and enjoy.

Great thanks. Guess I just need some confidence. I still don't know about being so close to the ground, maybe the KoolKat design would be better. Do you recommend a disk brake on the Marauder and KoolKat designs? Mainly for street riding, but we have some pretty steep hills.

Disc brakes are great, especially in the rain. But V-brakes are really good, too, and they're ALOT cheaper and easier to install/maintain.

As for low, check out the posting that I just put up today, it's my newest bike build called atomBLASTER.

atomBLASTER Progress Pics

It's pretty low :)

Sweet ride! Nice pics, too. Did you buy or make the seat?

A little of both, actually. I purchased a RANS seat frame, then fabricated my own frame attachment adapter, cut the seat bottom foam, and sewed both the seat bottom cover and seat back materials. The next one I build will have a "from scratch" seat.

Here is an option for you. http://www.cruzbike.com/

And here is one more. http://www.recycledrecumbent.com/ I would go with the TE clone, easy to build, easy to ride. This fellow also sells frames, forks, and seats. Check out is Mach 2 as an alternative to a lowracer.
Good Luck
Jim

I've seen your listing on Ebay and like the design. It looks something like Tom Traylor's FWD lowracer.
I've been trying decide between the 2 designs. But heck for the price of both maybe I'll get both.

Jim