Started riding bents about 10 years ago to get more comfort. The diamond frame bikes were getting hard on th ebody as it got older. This year I went to a trike and ....it is the only way to ride now.

Ken

Intense arm and wrist pain from riding a DF lead to a diagnosis of some carpal tunnel problems in my right arm and ulnar nerve issues in my left. After considering a pro bike fit, different handlebars/stems/saddle (that hurt too) with encouragement from a 'bent riding friend I work with I sold the DF and bought a 'bent. After re-learning how to ride I loooove it. I'd try a DF again, but am more likely at this point to get a crank forward design for greater comfort. I have designs on a folding bike but that'd just be for short rides.

I have spinal stenosis at the lower neck. I could get maybe 10 minutes of riding in on my upright when the arms starting going numb, forcing me to stop for awhile and give my arms time to recover. Also the pain in the neck was forcing me to constantly look down instead of out in front of me. Nearly nailed a kid in a stroller on a bike/walking path when I didn't see it in front of me until the last second. All that's in the past the minute I got my Sun EZ-Sport a few years ago! Now kicking myself for waiting so long to make the switch.

A number of reasons. I first got intrigued by recumbents when I saw an article in Popular Mechanics in the mid 60's about the Groundhugger, a recumbent bike. Then I was fortunate enough to be a spectator at the First Human Powered Speed Contest in the mid '70s and got to see recumbents laying down some wicked speed runs.

More recently, as a comfort present after my ex asked for a divorce, I bought a Giant Stiletto chopper. A bike without real purpose, but it looked good and I enjoyed riding it around. That led me towards the next step, a full recumbent. I also had some concerns about the pressure that spending so much time on the saddle was putting on certain parts of my body. So, as my present to myself for paying off all the bills from the marriage and the divorce, I splurged on a Bacchetta Giro 20.

Since then, my commute has gone from 3 miles to 9.5 miles, and after getting everything adjusted, I find it's a good long-haul cruiser. And it handles well and because of the short wheelbase, if necessary, I can toss it on the bus.