cycle2work

I'm planning on buying my first recumbent once the snow thaws here in the Northeast.

I'm 50 years old, and have been back to cycling for the last two years. I rode just over 2,500 miles in 2007 and around 1,800 the year before. All of my rides are at a leisurely 13-14 mph average speed. I do mostly 25 - 40 mile rides, with a few 60 - 75 mile rides, and have completed my first two centuries last summer. At the moment I'm expecting to buy a LWB with a lower bottom bracket, probably the RANS Stratus LE. I won't hesitate to test ride anything that fits me, however, including an SWB.

I know from browsing this forum that it takes some time to develop a different set of leg muscles for recumbent riding. For the past two winters, I've used upright DF style bikes at the health club to keep in shape over the winter.

Does it make sense to switch to a recumbent style exercise bike this winter in order to better prepare for the recumbent I'll buy in early spring? I have no idea of whether the typical recumbent exercise bicycle has a geometry that's similar enough to a "real" recumbent to warrant using that as a workout machine instead of an upright bicycle. If not, I prefer the uprights at my health club. They've got SPD pedals, better electronics, smoother operation, etc. My butt actually is less comfortable on the recumbents at the health club, compared to the upright's racing style seats.

Or am I making too much out of the "you've got to get your recumbent legs" mantra I'm reading about on this forum? All I wanna do is tool around at my usual 13-14 mph average speed on longish scenic rides over moderately hilly terrain. Will I really have to ride a recumbent for 500 or more miles before I can match that leisurely pace, or does that caveat really apply more to the club riders pushing themselves at 18-20+ mph over the same distances?

I know I should just shut up and ride the damn bike when I get it, but I'm anxious to "hit the ground running" as early as possible this spring.

Do those of you who are forced indoors during the winter use recumbent-style exercise bikes to keep in shape for the upcoming cycling season?

jab1362

I ride a Giro 26 in the good weather months around 3,000 miles last year. That said I ride a SS 29er mtb in the winter. I find it keeps my legs strong for spring. I like being outside and hate using a trainer.
YMMV
Joe

vik 

I wouldn't worry about it too much and just ride whichever trainer bikes you prefer. You'll be able to jump on a bent and ride well enough without specific training. Just pace yourself when you do first get your bent and build up your distance/time on the bike.

Your bent speed & endurance will increase as you ride it more, but it will be a slow incremental improvement over your first season of bent riding.

Have fun on your new bent...

Dchiefransom

I'd go for the recumbent style stationary bikes at the gym, but I've got a Rans Stratus LE, and know very well the difference in comfort between the seat on my Rans and the ones at the gym.

Pockets

The LE is a good choice but for a little more you can get the XP with all the upgraded components. With the mileage you do you would be upgrading anyhow. I bought the last of the 2006 Rans Stratus (26/20 ) in August-07 and put a little over 3000 on it since then. Have only been back on my Specilized Roubaix about 3-4 times since then.

gruffydd

I don't think it matters all that much about what kind of stationary that you ride. If all things were equal it may be better to ride a recumbent stationary however. Almost 8 years ago, my first recumbent was a Rans Rocket. I have had 3 different bike since then, but I still have my Rocket and ride it a lot. It is still a great bike. In my opinion you can't go wrong with a Rans bike. Have fun.

Giro

I think all the previous suggestions are reasonable including no specific training since your rides are not that long and fast.

However, if you:

1. already have a good bicycle trainer to mount a bicycle in, and
2. can decide which recumbent bicycle is good for you (test rides on various frames very desirable if possible), then
3. go purchase that recumbent now, mount it in the trainer, and start getting some exercise now.

This will cost less, be more comfortable, train you for exactly what you will ride on the road, and avoid having another thing around the house such as a stationary recumbent exercycle. The only down side is a recumbent on a trainer will take up a bit more room than a stationary exercycle. On the up side, you will be able to adjust your recumbent's seat position, recline angle, and handlebars on the trainer to what fits you best before you go on the road.

If you use clipless pedals, you can practice unclipping on your recumbent since unclipping on a recumbent can be different than an upright due to where the crank is relative to your foot at the bottom of the stroke. I had to make several adjustments and modifications to the shoe and cleat position before unclipping was satisfactory. It was much easier to do this with the recumbent mounted in a trainer.

First things first, though. Choose the recumbent that best suits you. If that means waiting until spring, just wait.

lowbike

Hello:
IMO, The Stratus LE would be a great choice for a first bent for the money.

velomont

I am 48 and I bought my first recumbent last June. Prior to that I have been riding DF bikes since '66 and I had never before ridden a recumbent. When I bought mine, I took three or four for test rides. For me the biggest hurdle, which lasted about five minutes, was learning that the first one or two pedal strokes, have to be much more powerful than on a DF because you have to get up to a minumum speed fairly quickly. Once I had that sorted out, I spent about an hour taking different bikes out for test rides before purchasing one. I probably rode about 20 km in the local area that day. The following day I found an unused parking lot and spent about an hour feeling the handling characteristics before heading out on some quieter, local streets. About a week after that I was commuting (30 km round trip) through some fairly heavy traffic without any problems. In the first month, however, I fell four times but each time was from waiting too long to unclip. I ultimately got Wellgo pedals, clipless on one face and platform on the other, so when I approach or leave intersections I unclip early or clip in late but can still pedal.