For one who might intend to spend a lot of time on a bike, in a variety of terrain environments, and one desiring a low-cost bike (at least initially), would a recumbent really fit the bill? It seems to me only a home-made or used 'bent would do. Here is my analysis so far. Correct if necessary.

Bent:

Faster and more efficient.
Heavier.
Typically more expensive.
Harder to find in stores and on the streets. (some people have never seen one.)
Mainly good for road/street conditions.

DF/"normal bike"

Not as efficient
Can be very light
Can be had very cheap if a used frame is bought and built up from there.
More manuverable and probably can go more places (ie up/down curbs, through back alleys, can be jumped, etc.)
In general seems "stallion-like" and less encumbering than a bent, which looks like a moving exercise machine. Bents seem more "car-like" in most every way, ie can go faster, have a full seat, etc.

Of course I'm not anti-bent, just making some observations.

Maybe a home-made SWB that was made with lightweight considerations would work well. Perhaps it could even be made foldable.

I do see the benefits of a 'bent for long-distance riding; even a strong athlete would prefer to "sit back" once in a while.

First of all bents are not cheap but wish I had bought one sooner.I have a little over 700 miles on my first bent and still learning but here is my take so far.

I bought a EZ Sport AX on Ebay for 850 with shipping.And have added fenders and lights. It had a rear rack, bag and mirror with it.I also put 195 street tread tires as I ride some on dirt roads.

I can say it is faster that my Specialized Expedition and I ride the EZ Sport every where I ride it.I just came in from a 41 mile ride today with about 9 miles of it dirt.And guess what no sore butt.So to me it is worth the some where around 1000.00 dollars I have in it.I am doing close to 200 miles a week now on the EZ Sport.

Wink

If you want something to fit the bill, you can’t go wrong with a recumbent.
The initial cost of a recumbent is more but comfort, utilitarian use and the smooth motion of a Bent is close to priceless.
And this is said by a guy who rides both; Bent/DF. If I had to choose just one bike it would be the Bent.
My personal experience is; when I buy cheap I pay more in the long run. So higher price in the beginning is cheaper in the end.

If you ask these questions in the recumbent forum... you'll get one answer... GO RECUMBENT.
If you ask me...
I'd say... get both
well maybe more then both
get a road bike
and a MTB
and at lest 2 recumbents [long and short]

They don't have to be the best or cost a lot.
Build them up...
make your own
It's all fun

Hash offered. . .

>>> If you want something to fit the bill, you can’t go wrong with a recumbent

You know, like Rabbitt I'm THAT close to pulling the trigger. Here's what I'm choking on:

I love mountains, fire roads, and mixed surface [macadam, gravel, dirt [NO technical rock stuff]], often on the same ride. Are any of you folks disappointed with your 'bent's' performance on mountains and mixed surface? Are there versions that accomodate this type of riding?

Can I clip in and spin or will I be restricted to mashing only?

What mechanical accomodations would I need to make regarding on-the-road maintenance and repair? Murphy's Law has a corrollary stating that I'll forget that one tool I need based on my current tool kit!

Kinda' tangential here, but I see that many manufacturers use a plastic tubular 'race' to keep the chain away from stuff amidships. . .doesn't that make an unholy racket? Looks like it should sound like a stonecrusher!! Does it wear out?

You sound like an individual that's trying to talk themselves into a DF rather than a Bent. To me your analysis is completely bogus. It's up the individual buying the bike or bent, what uses it will have and how much money they want too spend.
Someone stated they bought a EZ Sport AX on Ebay for $850.They made some adjustments and additions of fenders and lights and put on 195 street tread tires and for that individual it's a great ride, and you can go too AB and spend less money or go to extremes and buy the Carbon fiber Bacchetta and spend $6000 and have light weight and performance.
Now after saying all that about a bent, guess what I can say and do the same thing with a DF, it all comes down to money, basically money buys you less weight and performance and is up to the individual making the purchase and what they want in a Bent or Bike.

You need to try out many different 'bents as they will "choose you"! Different configurations for different people. There are significant different feelings even between similar appearing 'bents. Purchase and ride what is fun for you!
I have 2 bents at present: Actionbent suspended RoadRunner which I refer to as my "social" bike because it is easier to converse with riders on upright bikes when in a group and it has very good manners at low speeds for crowded trails. My other bike is an Optima Baron lowracer which is my fun, grins and giggles bike. I usually ride it when by myself as it is almost impossible to carry on a conversation with a rider on a "regular" bike.
Do I ride my DF? Only if I have to! Twice in last two years. Just got rid of it to free up some room in the garage! I don't do the MTN biking thing. So I can't address off road concerns.

Coyote: Clip in and spin away, it's better for your knees anyway. Tools are the same basic ones you would carry for a conventional bike. All the components are the same. Chain tubes are quiet and are there basically to keep your legs/pants from getting tattooed. Both my bikes have them and about the only thing you will hear is a nice reassuring "purr" from them. And I'm not sure if that little hum isn't coming from the idlers, too! Yes the tubes will wear out, as will chains, and sprockets, and bearings and tires! Part of the maintenence entertaiment from owning mechanical toys!


.....................jim

Rabbit,

First off, I commend you for being willing to think outside the normal DF-centric box.

I think your analysis is pretty accurate, with the exception of bents being faster and more efficient; which is not necessarily true. More comfortable for sure, but speed and efficiency runs the gamut and especially at the lower end might not compare favorably to a road bike of the same cost.

If you ride on and off road, 'urban assault,' etc, and are looking at a single bike to do everything, a bent is probably not your best choice.

I am the one with the EZ Sport. It is not faster than the roadies but is faster than the DF I ride.But it is all in what you want to do with it.For me the roadies pass me yes.But I don`t see them riding with a cooler in one hand listening to the tunes on the radio,or going down the dirt roads or the beach either.It comes down to what you want to do with it.Me I am happy to paddle along at around 15 MPH getting faster with a happy butt than try to keep up with the 30 mph roadies I clock with the car around here.
I will add living in Florida I don`t have to many hills.The only ones close are called bridges over the inter coastal water way and I ride over them with out trouble and I do see a lot of people a lot younger than me pushing DF`s over them.I can say to me it is no harder to climb with than my DF.
Wink

I am the one with the EZ Sport. It is not faster than the roadies but is faster than the DF I ride.But it is all in what you want to do with it.For me the roadies pass me yes.But I don`t see them riding with a cooler in one hand listening to the tunes on the radio,or going down the dirt roads or the beach either.It comes down to what you want to do with it.Me I am happy to paddle along at around 15 MPH getting faster with a happy butt than try to keep up with the 30 mph roadies I clock with the car around here.
I will add living in Florida I don`t have to many hills.The only ones close are called bridges over the inter coastal water way and I ride over them with out trouble and I do see a lot of people a lot younger than me pushing DF`s over them.I can say to me the EZ Sport is no harder to climb with than my DF.
Wink

I don't do offroad, but there are lots of benters who ride dirt trails and fire roads. Suspension helps on the really rough stuff, especially since its nearly impossible to shift your weight around like on an MTB. Optima, Azub, HP Velotechnik and a few others make bents that are dirt friendly. These look like Optima Condors: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFs25Bv_fHA

Spinning is highly recommended. Mashing will kill your knees.

About the same as a DF. You may need two different size spare tubes, depending on the bike. I carry a small chain tool just in case, but have never had to pull it out.

They're called idler wheels, or simply idlers. They barely make a sound (if it's noisy you have a problem) and should last many thousands of miles.