Recumbents

[rebelpeter]

Not really. Balance at low (as in walking) speed and starting/stopping are the bits that take practice. A year of riding recumbents exclusively and it now feels completely natural to me. My mountain bike is my only remaining upright bike and when I get on that balance is not an issue (you never forget how to ride a bike, apparently) but I feel like I'm going over the handlebars

They are comfortable for me, but everyone is different, and they are relatively expensive.

Yes i see what you mean starting stopping sounds a bit difficult think id best stay with my road bikes as trouble is theres never enough warm days to go for rides on rosd bikes even dont think id ever get round to learning these bents really.

 

[young Ed]

re storage have you tried heavy duty large wall hooks or so?
Cheers Ed

 

[Shut Up Legs]

Just out of curiosity: how are recumbents at getting you up long hills? Are they easier or harder than uprights?

 

[classic33]

is the OP looking at 2 wheeled or 3 wheeled? or one wheeled if that is possible?!
Cheers Ed

Ere, whats wrong with four wheels

 

[classic33]

People are really negative about these bikes, and will often call you nasty names for riding one. Whatever you do,




Don't take it lying down.......

Why not!

 

[ianrauk]

Just out of curiosity: how are recumbents at getting you up long hills? Are they easier or harder than uprights?

They are ok, take a bit of getting the hang of spinning and winding your way up. But once you have got recumbent legs and muscles you soon fly up.

 

[Shaun]

Ever since I found out about recumbents I've wanted one, but unfortunately, to date, I've not managed to find the available storage space (or disposable bank balance) to acquire one.

There's a guy who flys around Hull on a sharp looking black one; complete with aero front fairing, colour-matching rear trailer, large reflective flag, and various other extras - easily keeps pace with the motorised traffic and looks très cool!!

 

[young Ed]

Ere, whats wrong with four wheels

special case for you 4 wheels yes!
and i even admit i want a quadracycle
Cheers Ed

 

[rebelpeter]

[QUOTE 2997377, member: 30090"]You quitting before you even starting.[/QUOTE]
Well no not quitting really its storage space and money to buy one there not cheap,

 

[young Ed]

Well no not quitting really its storage space and money to buy one there not cheap,

out goes the OH then! clears up space and money issues
Cheers Ed

 

[Scoosh]

Recumbents are not as fast as upwrongs - certainly not uphill, only if going above ~15mph on the flat - but they fly downhill. My max speed is currently 66 kph the other day - and I'm neither fit nor especially confident ! Their speed profile on a ride is much the same as a tandem.

The argument about being 'too low and not seen by drivers' : well if a driver can't see a Lotus Elise, with whom I am eye-to-eye and if they can't see a traffic cone on the road .....

A year or two ago, I was riding a 200km audax on my upwrong and rode about 100km of it in the company of a guy on his Raptobike low racer. It was very noticeable how much room we were given when being overtaken by cars; when I, on the upwrong, was at the back, we would get a 'usual distance' pass. Fine. When the 'bent was at the back, we were given a noticeable amount of extra room on the overtake (he didn't have any flag either).

The best things about 'bents are COMFORT, COMFORT, COMFORT and the comments and expressions as you ride along. "Cool bike; that's so cool; love your bike; you're almost asleep ... " - a few of the comments I have heard. People smile as you ride by . When I go out on my upwrong, I go back to being 'anonymous cyclist' again - it's very noticeable.

It's hard to be a 'shrinking violet' when riding a 'bent !

In terms of cost, have a look at this ... ... then read that thread from the beginning !

 

[summerdays]

I love seeing them, and one day I'm going to try's one properly as I think they look fun! I always want to yell nice positive things at them. I do see an older gentleman on the A38 about 8pm sometimes, he's the only regular one I see but occasionally bump into others.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

Recumbents are not as fast as upwrongs - certainly not uphill, only if going above ~15mph on the flat - but they fly downhill. My max speed is currently 66 kph the other day - and I'm neither fit nor especially confident ! Their speed profile on a ride is much the same as a tandem.

The argument about being 'too low and not seen by drivers' : well if a driver can't see a Lotus Elise, with whom I am eye-to-eye and if they can't see a traffic cone on the road .....

A year or two ago, I was riding a 200km audax on my upwrong and rode about 100km of it in the company of a guy on his Raptobike low racer. It was very noticeable how much room we were given when being overtaken by cars; when I, on the upwrong, was at the back, we would get a 'usual distance' pass. Fine. When the 'bent was at the back, we were given a noticeable amount of extra room on the overtake (he didn't have any flag either).

The best things about 'bents are COMFORT, COMFORT, COMFORT and the comments and expressions as you ride along. "Cool bike; that's so cool; love your bike; you're almost asleep ... " - a few of the comments I have heard. People smile as you ride by . When I go out on my upwrong, I go back to being 'anonymous cyclist' again - it's very noticeable.

It's hard to be a 'shrinking violet' when riding a 'bent !

In terms of cost, have a look at this ... ... then read that thread from the beginning !

I see your point: saddle-sores would be a thing of the past: that alone makes it appealing to me . As for the Lotus analogy: drivers will see the Lotus, because they know full well that colliding with the Lotus would do both cars major damage: not so much the case with bicycles. In other words, some motorists just notice what they feel they have to notice.

 

[currystomper]

Cruzbike's are nearly as as fast as diamonds up hill, they have more weight (ie the seat) however you can use both your arms and your legs when climbing, due to the moving front bracket design. The downside is that it take a bit of learning to get used to riding one. It not difficult - just different!!

 

[Alex H]

I owned this bike a few years ago when I lived in Milton Keynes. It was very quick and comfortable. The one thing I couldn't get the hang of though, was if my bodyweight shifted when I went over a bump, there seemed to be no way of getting back again, without stopping_ anyone got a clue how this is done?