Recumbents

[jcb]

I was out last night for a ride around south hertfordshire (http://www.cycle-route.com/routes/Borehamwood_to_Shenley_and_Bushey_Loop-Cycle-Route-3683.html - nice 1hr ride with 270m of climbing) and passed a chap on a recumbent, coming up a reasonable hill at pace. Got a friendly wave.

Is it anyone on here? Has anyone tried a recumbent and is visibility to cars not a massive problem? I understand why it's quicker on the flat but how do they not just tip backwards on a steep hill with all the weight over the back?

 

[CopperBrompton]

Recumbents are much more visible to cars because they are unusual. Certainly on my trike, most drivers slow down on approach and completely change lanes to overtake me.

 

[Jake]

one may have recently moved, as i've seen him a cople of times on my route now, older guy with beard.

 

[sunnyjim]

You may be over-estimating your visibility on a 'normal' bike. Being seen isn't the problem - it's being registered, and recumbents - esp trikes - do seem to do that rather well.

I like the idea of doing a wheelie uphill...

 

[wafflycat]

Oh yes, much more visble on the 'bent - and motorists give more room, and tend to be quite friendly. I can ride the same lanes on 'bent trike and 'normal' bike (not at the same time, obviously...) and meet the same motorists. Without fail I am given more room when on the 'bent and drivers will pull over and signal me to carry on when I'm on the 'bent - all with a smile and a wave. When I'm on the 'normal' bike, said drivers can sometimes not even register my presence..

 

[Jake]

from what i see as a cyclist, cars/lorries etc, less often seem to see them. just from what ive seen

 

[Bigtwin]

I don't find I get any more room from motorists on a bent, and it's a big disadvantage in traffic as you are less nimble, can't see over the cars and they can't see you as well as you are usually out of sight line behind other vehicles, and are plum at exhaust height. People turning R as you approach is a particular problem, as people see the gap between cars that you are in, but not you. Flags help a bit, but it's still not as good as on a DD where you are sitting up high.

They are fun to ride though, so it's down to how much you trade off. Hills are not a problem - the weight isn't actually over the back unless you have a very strange bent, and the idea of flipping back isn't a concern.

 

[wafflycat]

I don't find I get any more room from motorists on a bent, and it's a big disadvantage in traffic as you are less nimble, can't see over the cars and they can't see you as well as you are usually out of sight line behind other vehicles, and are plum at exhaust height. People turning R as you approach is a particular problem, as people see the gap between cars that you are in, but not you. Flags help a bit, but it's still not as good as on a DD where you are sitting up high.

My experience is the exact opposite.

 

[Bigtwin]

My experience is the exact opposite.

You can see over cars and are more nimble than on a normal bike?

How?

 

[Tynan]

bent fight!

 

[Bigtwin]

bent fight!

I'll get some coleslaw and a paddling pool - you sell the tickets.

 

[jcb]

Thanks for the info - I wouldn't use in traffic but they look fun otherwise!​

 

[wafflycat]

Whilst I may not see over cars, I have no difficulty seeing round them, along them.. nimbleness is not an issue with any of my cycling, believe me I am not at all nimble anyhow! I get far more room given to me by motorists sharing the road, I have had no problems as regards turning.. as for exhaust fumes, I tend to stay back from the vehicle in front, so no problem. Indeed, if I was in the position of having to get rid of all bar one of my pedal cycles, the one I'd keep is the recumbent trike as it's an all-rounder, and is huge fun. I refer to it as my smilemobile due to the effect it has on those who see it.

 

[sunnyjim]

I sometimes find the trike a bit wide to sneak up the inside of big trucks at junctions, but being so low it's easy to just nip underneath artic trailers to the outside lane.

I also carry a big sack of spuds for sticking up car exhausts, which are at a handy height.

 

[wafflycat]

I sometimes find the trike a bit wide to sneak up the inside of big trucks at junctions, but being so low it's easy to just nip underneath artic trailers to the outside lane.

I also carry a big sack of spuds for sticking up car exhausts, which are at a handy height.

Why on earth would anyone on any form of cycle want to sneak up the inside of big trucks at junctions? It's a stupidly dangerous thing to do as it can easily get you killed.

I take it that the nipping under artic trailers is humour . I hope it's humour!
And the spuds!