It's so strange that the Grasshopper attracts such opposing reviews. To some, it's the best thing since sliced bread. For myself, I did find it hard work on hills, directly related to the seat recline I can only surmise. Also hard work getting on and off. It had the remarkable effect of making my existing bikes seem easy on hills, and easy riding.
Its purchase also coincided with a bout of pericarditis, though I'd barely ridden it when that occurred. Recumbent bikes are meant to make for easy cycling, but I did find it a strenuous breathless business getting up what would normally be innocuous hills. Being so relatively reclined seemed to reduce the leverage of my legs while simultaneously making getting enough oxygen harder.
I've mentioned elsewhere that the manufacturer suggests it's suitable for heights from 5'2" but just because you can reach the ground or pedals
doesn't automatically mean that your leg geometry would be as advantageous as that of a person of more average height. I don't know of any research on the effects on lung capacity of seat recline but it didn't work for me. I'm not suggesting that bikes such as the Grasshopper should carry a health warning, after all it's a common European design type, but it strikes me, from my experience anyway, that the older U.S. type LWB design, or European designs such as the Peer Gynt, are likely user friendly to a lot more of the population, were they able to be exposed to them. Even more upright designs such as the Lightning P-38 might be more accommodating. All older designs, less available, and seemingly superseded by the popularity of trikes, most of which have ...well reclined seats! And so it goes around.
I wish you well with your recovery and hope being able to carry on cycling in some form will be part of that.
