Looking at getting a bent for my commute

[Monkreadusuk]

Evening all,

I currently commute a small distance of 8 miles each way on a Road Bike, however I am having a few issues on it and am looking for some advice on getting a bent or not.

I'm 6ft3 and find it quite difficult to ride on the drops for more than 30 seconds as im so hunched up, on a bent I won't have this issue. I also notice that bents get a lot more respect on the road, from what i've seen. This is a big plus for me as I'm fed up of close passes.

Then main reason I want one though, is speed. Will a bent give me the aero position needed to get some higher average speeds? I want to be able to increase my commute distance and also visit family further away.

If I do get one, would it be silly of me to go straight for a mid/low racer 2 wheel? Should I get a trike instead? I understand 2 wheels are faster

Many Thanks,

 

[AlanT82]

I'd say don't get a trike if speed is your priority. I am slower on my trike than on any 2 wheeler though the comfort, fun, stability and space given by motorists is priceless, so my 7 mile commute by trike is always stress free.

I don't have experience of low/mid racers but on my Giro 26 high racer my commute times are on average the same speed or a little quicker than they were on a road bike. The 2 wheel recumbents really come into their own when you're riding into a headwind, that's when you feel the benefit.

 

[steveindenmark]

I have had an ICE trike and a Bacchetta Giro 26. Both wonderfully designed bikes but in the end not for me and I sold them both.

Lots of guys can get them to go as fast as a road bike but I couldnt, even after 2 years of use. Bents are great fun, no doubt about that but if the whole reason to get one is to go faster, I would forget it, it may never happen.

You need to borrow or hire one for a week ( not easy, I know) and try it for yourself. If you live in a hilly or even Rolling area, you will have problems.

Guys will come on here and tell you that they can ride theirs faster than road bikes, and I believe them. But you must try them first. They are not cheap and not as easy as bikes to get rid off.

Storing a trike needs lots of space and transporting them can be a pain.

Steve

 

[AlanT82]

I'm 6ft3 and find it quite difficult to ride on the drops for more than 30 seconds as im so hunched up, on a bent I won't have this issue.

Could it be that you need a larger frame, or a longer stem? Regardless, on a recumbent you won't have this issue, but that's not to say you'll definitely be comfortable. There are different seat types to consider, and different pedal to seat height ratios, and different handlebar types. The world of recumbents can seem like a complicated one compared to the simplicity of a road bike.

What attracted me to recumbents was comfort for long rides - whether I'm faster or slower than I was on a road bike is of no consequence because I couldn't ride my road bike for more than about 3 hours without experiencing some discomfort - I can ride my recumbent for 8 hours and feel (almost) as fresh as a daisy afterwards.

 

[AlanT82]

Storing a trike needs lots of space and transporting them can be a pain.

I transport mine by pedalling it, which indeed can be a pain

 

[steveindenmark]

I transported mine on the top of the Picanto from Denmark to Holland. That was interesting.

Steve

 

[Tigerbiten]

How much of your commute do you spend above 15 mph.
This is the speed the aero advantage really starts to work in a bents favour.
If it's a lot both ways then a bent will probably faster.
If it's not a lot then a bent could well be slower.

Also remember that you use less muscles groups to power a bent.
So even if your fit from riding an upwrong, it will take about 1,000 miles work before you build up your bent legs.

 

[Scoosh]

@Monkreadusuk - I'm 6' 3" and was very comfortable on my road bike - I've done 200k audaxes and a 300k on it but I did have a proper bike fitting. If you are not comfortable on your road bike, it is a size/ fitting issue.

I'm with @AlanT82 on the reasons for going 'bent - comfort, comfort, comfort over long distances (but I suspect he's still quite a bit faster than I am ! ). In my case I was getting trouble from my shoulder after being brought off by a dog running into my front wheel at 35kph (me on bike at 35kph, not the dog .... ).

David Gardner at Laid Back Bikes - great bloke, very enthusiastic and knowledgeable about anything 'bent - reckons that a low-rider like my Nazca Fuego is on a par speed-wise with a hybrid bike. Yes, there is an aero advantage once going fast enough but there is still the weight penalty all of the time ! Speed-wise, 'bents are a bit like tandems - slow uphill, fast downhill and heavier than most road bikes.
Would you be faster ? Depends a lot on your type of commute - hilly or flat, stop/start or steady. @Tigerbiten knows his 'bent stuff !

Laid Back Bikes do hire for a week or more too ....

 

[kencumbent]

I'm about to get a 'bent for a 40km per day commute on mostly flat ground.

I am aiming to get a Fuego as they get such great reviews and they seem robust enough for my weight at 120kg and they clearly work for my 6'3" height. However they don't have a dealer in Oz so I will be talking with them about importing one when their office re opens in August.

Once I am up to speed is 32-35kph sustainable on flat ground with clipped-in pedals? I used to sustain 26-28kph on my flat bar hybrid in sandals. I am asking about cruising speed on flat ground here, not average speed over the whole journey.

Thanks,

Ken

 

[BlackPanther]

If I do get one, would it be silly of me to go straight for a mid/low racer 2 wheel? Should I get a trike instead? I understand 2 wheels are faster

My first 'bent was a Bachetta Strada highracer. It was easy to learn to ride (commuted 12 miles each way the day after buying it.) I was after a mid/lowracer but the Strada was the first to come up on ebay! After a week, I was able to keep my balance safely in traffic at sub walking speeds, and stayed clipped in apart from when setting off (dual sided pedals are a must.) Having also owned an Optima baron (lowracer) and a Raindow Lyner (midracer) I can categorically state that (contrary to expectations) the high racer was by far the easiest to ride in all commuting situations, and the Strata was by far the fastest 'bent I've ever owned (although the Catrike 700 wasn't far behind-I could set off faster, but lost a bit on the top speed.)

I only have the space in the garage for one 'bent, and as I'm a trike addict I now only own an Ice Trice, but if I see another Strada/Corsa/Aero at a good price, then I'd snap it up and squeeze it in somehow!

I can only comment on 'bents I've owned so....
If you want fun and comfort with a decent top speed-Ice Trice/Sprint.

If you want to look cool, go fast, and don't mind a bit of discomfort (but this can be made better with the right tyres) the Catrike 700 is an awesome machine.

If you want an easy to ride, uber fast 2 wheeler, then a decent make/spec high racer.

If you just want to get low down and fast then a low racer like the Optima Baron looks good, goes almost as fast as the Strada but (imho) wasn't so good in heavy traffic, or setting off uphill.)

I'd say, don't dismiss a highracer or a trike before riding them. Try and blag a go on someone's before shelling out.....or take a gamble like I did on the Strada.

 

[mrandmrspoves]

Before you spend any money have a look at A1 Performer - there's a dealer in Brisbane. Very good value for money recumbents and you can have them specced as you wish. They do quite a range of bikes and trikes. The Dealers name is Steve and the company is called A1 Adventure Sports.