bonj said:
Well, seeing as you really want to know...they're a deathtrap.
You can't see where you're going as well as on a normal bike, not to mention the fact that you're so much lower down so people can't see you.
Myths!
Unless you are riding a real racing one, most "street recumbents" have the head in a neutral position. In fact you are under much less strain than on a racing machine, or mountain bike where the neck is much further back.Your field of view is much more open and natural
Visibilty is again a unfounded worry. I am taller on my street machine than many children an a few women riders on DFs. What is important is sensible riding. Providing you are not undertaking artics and other silly antics, you will have no problems.
Most drivers should be looking a hundred yards ahead for road markings, bollards etc, all of which are lower. At the distances drivers should be looking height is not a factor.
The ones who "don't see you" are the same ones who don't see ANY bike!
They're more unstable - your centre of gravity is lower down, so minor adjustments in your horizontal position don't work as well.
As with any bike it is simply acquiring the skills. A recumbent handles as well in most cases as a DF. If you have problems "nipping through a gap" then shouldn't one be querying the wisdom of the move rather than the ability of the machine?
I have no more problems with maneoverability or stability than with any other machine In fact the Trike is outstanding in both cases.
Also don't forget a lower CoG will make the bike safer in a fall as there is less distance and hence less impact!
They're unhealthy / unergonomic: you're constantly having to bend your neck forward to see what's ahead - can't be healthy on the spine or neck. Plus, your legs are pointing forwards when doing work - making your legs work under decreased blood flow is harder and can't possibly be healthy.
Again myths...
You don't need to bend your neck anywhere on a street designed machine. Even on my Hurricane this is not he case and that is a "low rider". As above, you are under far less strain with flexion than with the extended neck required on a mountain bike or racing machine.
As for the leg position, this is a benefit. That is why all gyms have recumbent cycling machines!. The fact that you can use bigger muscles as you can lock your hip into the seat makes the potential power output greater.
Like with any development in fitness the body will compensate, and there is no problem with the legs adapting to this position. The resultant increased blood flow actually makes this position more efficient - again try and find a gym without a recumbent machine!
And please don't say "but you haven't ever ridden one bonj" because I have once ridden one, that a mate had inherited from somebody and was selling but before he did asked me and a few others if we wanted to come round and have a go on it for a laugh. Needless to say I fell off it several times trying to go round his yard and up and down his road, but managed to get going for a bit. Even so, I judged it to be a work of absolute crapola.
Which machine was this, there area number of formats some easier than others. Personally I have 4, :
Street Machine GT - Shopping, commuting, touring
Catrike Expedition - as above
Linear - Normally shows etc now due to it's age and status
Challenge Hurricane - fast days out without luggage
Each one is completely different in design, handling, use and comfort. Using a single one to decide that it is "Crapola" is like driving a 1970's Skoda and then declaring that a modern luxury car is rubbish.
PS - they even go off road on hill tracks across the Pennines!