We all know that the DF boy racer crowd seem to look down on or hate bents. Could jealousy figure into the mix. Who of us while out riding hasnt heard kid yell "cool bike". Even a lot of adults will comment "nice bike". And when stopped a lot of people want to ask questions.

At a recient bike race (parking lot) I rode out to watch. I might point out here I like and approve of all types of cycling. While setting there watching, a race finished, and one of the racers rode up and stopped by me. His son ran over, looked at me and my bike, and said "Dad wouldnt it be cool if you could get a bike like that one, pointing to my Rans. The guy was on a VERY expensive carbon frame race bike. He mumbled something, and the look on his face was interesting. I guess what im saying is that no matter how expensive almost any DF bike is they seldom get the attention that a bent gets. At rides and races, the DF crowd cant help it but notice, therefore it may add to the hate because of jealousy.

The guy was probably embarrassed that his kid thought they were cool. Probably a Cat 4/5/C, because the Cat 3/2/1 guys usually don't care. I doubt it's jealousy. Remember, in their world recumbents are illegal.

I think some people are overly sensitive and take the razzing between wedgie riders and bearded hammock sleepers a bit too seriously.

i dont care what you ride, as long as you ride. i prefer the competitive feeling of sitting up and having an aggressive stance. to each their own, but i assure you when im looking at a bent, im not jealous.

Jealous? Of bent? I think not. From what I see and hear and read, recumbents have two primary applications: Old guys with back problems, and extreme touring. I think most people grew up with the classic butt-over-crank geometry and wouldn't even consider the awkward-looking geometric of a recumbent unless there was a compelling reason.

People give them attention because they are unusual, not because they prefer them.

Yeah, right! That doesn't even begin to explain all the "cool bike" comments being thrown my way at the local Critical Mass. Even better, I've been getting more and more cute smiles from the cargonistas on their single-speed basket bikes. Go ahead and hate. Life is better with a cool bike.

:)ensen.

So when are you going to get one?

if you think your bike is cool and people give you compliments, then awesome. just not for me. i dont see too many bents descending the steep grades in Mountains every weekend so, not for me.

Cat 3 racer here: I'd go so far as to say most racers think of recumbents as bicycle-like machines, but not really bikes.

My sig shows the old one. Here's video of the one I'm riding now. Look for me doing loops about 2:35 into the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpZtcSsirc0

It's about personality.

Road bikes => Corvette
MTB => Jeep
Xtracycles => SUV
Low-rider => Tuner
Chopper => Chopper
BMX => Dirt bike
Mine = Exotic

Even the bikers on Harleys crane their necks to see me turn corners. Yes, the two rear wheels are really that close together. Yes, it really is that low. Yes it really does lean that far over.

It's practically a guarantee that my ride will get more interest than a Madone.

:)ensen.

BTW: I keep my MTB and a long-tail because there are times when you just need them.

Descending steep grades in mountains is what bents do best. Apologies to Tigger.

It's like driving the coolest little great-handling sports car ever. My bent might be a little slower going up those mountains than a DF, but instead of bending over the handle bars and starting at the road while climbing, my head is up and I'm enjoying a good look at all the beautiful scenery.

but that don't make it 'cool'...just an oddity...like my Big Dummy.

Yup. I was descending a hill on my 'bent when a DF rider tucked into his aero position. I laughed and said "this is my aero position".

Yup I was descending a hill on my wedgie, sitting up munching on a banana, when a bearded hammock driver woke up and noticed I was passing him. I laughed and said "this is my aero position" as I rubbed my belly.

Well, that's their problem, isn't it?

SP
Bend, OR

Note: THIS NEVER HAPPENS.

SP
Bend, OR

You just brightened my day Chip.

Cuz you ain't met nuthin like me yet.
Someday you will behold my larger-than-life okole as it leaves you gasping for fresh air...if you wake up from your moving nap in time.

The more I rub my belly, the brighter things seem to get.

Chip = Budha?

rub = shiny

Yeah, he probably just told his kid they aren't legal in his races.

Now THAT was funny!


It took poor balance for me to discover recumbent trikes and get a Catrike, but if my balance had been good I think I would have liked a bent anyway (but with two wheels). Riding a DF isn't exactly good for the male anatomy.

Excuse the pun, but there's the rub...riding a wedgie doesn't bother my male anatomy at all.
Different strokes for different folks.

OK, Chip - are you sure that what you are rubbing is what the rest of us would call a "belly"?

well actually it's a very similar stroke for most folks.