Hello to all, and thanks in advance for any thoughtful replies.

I fear I am about to ask a question that has been brought up once or twice, please bear with me?

6'0" and 360lbs (+/-) with a 30" pant inseam, and a 58" waist.

Left complete replacement knee 11/09 (eighth surgery)

Current bike is a 2010 Giant Suede DX
Longest ride 41 miles.
Preferred riding is tow-path or MUP, level if possible.
Preferred average daily ride is 27 miles (a nice out and back loop on tow-path)
Wish to increase miles.
I love riding, and it is my primary cardio fitness (heart issues in my past)

I've been off my bike for 10 weeks due to rotator cuff surgery followed by multiple PEs (long story there) - so I went from being able to do my 27 miles non-stop at a 12 MPH average, multiple 100+ mile weeks back-to-back, and a butt that got really sore after about 35 miles (but could ride more multiple hours later or next day)

So, getting back on the bike again (thank God) - 10 miles yesterday, 11 miles today - and my butt is killing me - feels like I am having to start over...

The Question:

Recumbent vs current bike? Yes / No? Thoughts? Why? How do I decide without risking funds I do not have?

Please sell me, or scare me away?

I've waited 30+ years to start riding again, and I love it, and wish to improve and ride even more - Heart DR is thrilled and it's only been since March.

Will my knee be an issue on a 'bent?

Being as fat as I am - is that an issue????

A bent may be just what you need...though they ain't cheap, and you'll have to grow a beard.

At your weight you have to pay close attention to recumbent weight
limits, generally available from the manufacturer. The way recumbents
are built does impose a weight limit especially on long wheel base
machines. There are bents built to handle your weight in short wheel
base, but not all SWB. Knees are stressed a bit more on a bent
though on the flat routes you suggest this will not be a problem.
To get an idea of the difference ride your DF bike with just the
fingertips on the handle bars and see how much harder you have
to push down with the legs compared to when you grip the bars.
This is principally on hills. Watch the play of upper arm muscles on another
rider going up a hill, versus when they are riding flat. Bents don't
permit arms to contribute to propulsion.

You might find bents work well for you. If at all possible, try to test ride as many different models as you can... There are many different designs of recumbent (much more variety than uprights!) and even if the first one you try doesn't seem to work for you there might still be something out there that works...

Regarding weight limits on bikes - one of the few brands I can think of that makes really heavy duty bikes is Lightfoot: https://www.lightfootcycles.com/

Regarding getting back into riding an upright and getting a sore behind: I think this is just "one of those things". I weigh a spindly 170 lbs and if I've been off the bike for a while I still get a sore butt until I'm used to riding again. The ideal bike may be the one you already have... if you can stand to get over the first few uncomfortable rides..

Sent you a PM, Peter.

Anyone have any thoughts about "TerraTrike" "Rover" - it's a tadpole trike with a 400LB weight limit, and a higher seat (think 18") so would be easier on the knees getting on and off - it uses an internal eight speed - for $999.00

The actual weight is bout equal to my Giant Suede DX - so then it's 2 wheels vs 3 wheels right? Or am I missing something?

My Suede is a "pedal-forward" design so actually no-hands, finger-tips only, or hands fully on makes no changes to me. My knees are not yet good enough to stand on the pedals very well (which is where most arm toquring happens???)

Question - why would there be *more* knee stress if I go with a 'bent (or trike) where the crank is either below or level with the seat?

+1 - I agree and wish it were otherwise. With changes in my meds, I can no longer take my strong anti-inflammatory any more, so am getting more aches and am beginning to have hand issues...

PS - beard is growing for the winter Mostly white too

Bump? If most of my riding is 'towpath' or MUPs - mostly flatish - what is the opinion? Trike, LWB, SWB, or what? I know one older gent that I see most days on a LWB on the towpath...

Stay on my Giant Suede and just deal with the various pains, or ??? Many folks here either ride both bent and DF, or started on a DF and went Bent - I'd really like your thoughts as I am not in a place that I can just willy-nilly buy different styles til I find the perfect one.

Nearest LBS that carries many styles of recumbents and trikes is bout 120 miles from me - plan to make a trip soon to try different types out...

There is no extra stress, but you can easily create it because you can brace against a seat and push with full strength. Beginning recumbent riders are well advised to favor low gears.

Just the other day I was able to test ride a Rover. Even though I'm spoiled by riding an ICE Q and Volae Century, the Rover seems like a good trike to me. It would, I think, be well worth whatever travel necessary for a test ride.

I'm listening....err...reading here Peter. God have mercy on my wedgie-loving soul.

Folks, Peter needs some good advice for choosing a good ham...er...'bent.
IMO, not necessarily a trike. Don't be fooled by what he thinks he wants...he'll get what you tell him to get, AND HE'LL LIKE IT!

I don't know of any recumbents built to take 360 pounds. If he can get under 300, he'll be close enough to 275 that most of the Sun line-up would work. Maybe an Ez-Sport, or a CycleGenius Falcon, just to throw out a couple of model names.

Tadpole trikes would be hard for an uber-clyde to get in and out of, due to the very low seating. But if he wanted to look at one, a KMX Kart might work. A delta trike might be better, as trikes go; but the split axle arrangement on the Sun EZ-3 doesn't inspire my confidence.

When in doubt about load limits, contact the mfg. Recumbent mfgs are small and many may be able to offer a special build.

While the above *IS* completely correct, it need not be a trike - I have yet to find any 2 wheel recumbents that will take at least 350lbs. And, from emails to 2 popular recumbent makers, due to their shape, the weight limits are very realistic, and going over them by much most likely will crack/break the frame.

While shrinking IS part of the plan, I do not wish to wait until *after* shrinking to get comfortable....

The TerraTrike 'Rover' is a tadpole with a higher seat height to address just that concern - and if I can sit on an 18" high seat all day in my boat, and get up (nothing to grab onto there) - I figure after watching the videos on the website it's worth looking at - plus, it weighs no more than my current bike

Fair enough, as of right now, I can't really stand to pedal either - so it's more if I *try* I *can* stress my knees - but if I do not push it too much, it is no worse than my pedal-forward DF bike - fair statement?

Thanks for the info on the Rover - the place outside Columbus, OH has multiple brands and many 2 and 3 wheel recumbents to test ride - so maybe next week some time I'll drive down there...

If you were closer I'd let you try my Sun EZ-1 SuperCruiser It's 40-lbs of entry-level recumbent comfort that I've ridden for over 4 hours without back, backside, or neck pain. Funny thing is, I found I favor the ride on my road bike after thinking the recumbent was the answer. Perhaps if I extend the handlebars I might change my mind on it. I'm rather tall, and lanky, and while the seat goes back far enough, the handlebars do not. I end up having to lean forward a bit to stear, which blows the whole 'lean back and relax to steer' part of riding a recumbent. The bike is heavy, but it's only noticable going up a hill.

You're tempting me to take a drive... and, it's lighter than my bike is

edit: just read up on it - 300lb weight limit - but pretty~!

A lightfoot Ranger would carry your weight. It is a good bike I have one. Without getting use to it you can get on it and ride 8 hours without any discomfort.

https://www.lightfootcycles.com/ranger.htm

^^^ this is one of the guys I was talking about who can give you MUCH better info on bents than I can, Peter.

Just an FYI, R-D cycles in downtown Barberton deals in bents, as does The Bicycle Shop down in Hartville, I believe.

Ya know, you could make getting a bent a reward for making a weight loss target. Clydes do it for road bikes all the time.

Lightfoot Ranger lists its nominal rider max weight at 300 lbs, but they offer customization for heavier riders. Not cheap, but not outrageous either.

Where did you find the specs? and is that for the current model? I'm curious to know what the weight limit is on my bike. The new sun recumbents are made differently. Mine is the older model EZ-1 SuperCruiser The frame is made of box steel and looks almost like a ladder. I can't believe that it wouldn't handle your weight. I bought mine 2nd hand for under $350.00 and it was in like-new condition. I wouldn't hesitate to let you ride it just to see if you'd like that sort of thing as a reward bike.

we still need to get a ride together with you folks from that state up north and other great lakes members.