what recumbent dealers/shops are there?

[squeaker]

What's the problem?

you know on this recumbent
http://www.kinetics-online.co.uk/assets/images/speedmachine_liegerad_mitzi02.jpg

his knees are almost hitting the bars! is that normal on above-seat-steering ones?

Provided they don't hit, then fine IME, but do think about tight turns....

 

[squeaker]

Balance - it's different

are 'bent bikes (not trikes) that hard to balance?

Not with a bit of practice, but they are different from upwrongs, as you can't really move your body around in the same way, so most 'balancing' is done through the steering (e.g. steer left to fall to the right, and vice versa). It's also a different sensation ('lying down' cf 'standing up') which IME can be quite scary the first time.... Also, as the centre of gravity is nearer the pivot point (ground contact patch), they tend to roll (= fall over) faster.

 

[Arch]

Not with a bit of practice, but they are different from upwrongs, as you can't really move your body around in the same way, so most 'balancing' is done through the steering (e.g. steer left to fall to the right, and vice versa). It's also a different sensation ('lying down' cf 'standing up') which IME can be quite scary the first time.... Also, as the centre of gravity is nearer the pivot point (ground contact patch), they tend to roll (= fall over) faster.

I wouldn't say there's that much difference in it (in my admittedly limited experience of 'bent bikes)... And on a recumbent you've less distance to fall, and it's very quick and easy to get a foot, or even hand, down..

With regard to trikes, I just love the stability, and I'll throw my trike into corners and down hills I'd be crawling round on any bike. Also, whenever you stop, you have a ready-to-hand picnic chair...

 

[wafflycat]

I have been known to refer to Mr Norbert Frosty as my mobile deckchair.

 

[bonj2]

what trikes does the D-Tek place in thetford sell?

 

[squeaker]

Have we forgotten Future Cycles in Forest Row?

 

[Seamus]

From Byke Kultuur Never 13 (july 2002)...

So where can I buy one?

* Bikefix
48 Lambs Conduit Lane, Conduit Street, London, WC1N 3LJ.
website: http://www.bikefix.co.uk/bikefix.html

* London Recumbents
Rangers Yard, Dulwich Park, College Road, London.
website:http://www.londonrecumbents.com/index.php

* Life Cycle
The Tile House, Preston Park, Preston Road, Brighton, BN1 6HN.
website:http://www.lifecyclebrighton.com/

* Kinetics
54 Switchback Road, Bearsden, Glasgow, G61 1AE.
website: http://www.kinetics.org.uk/html/about_us.htm

* Future Cycles
Friends Yard, Station Road, Forest Row, East Sussex, RH18 5EE.
website:http://www.futurecycles.co.uk/

* D-Tek
Main Street, Little Thetford, Nr. Ely, Cambidgeshire, CB6 1BR

* Westcountry Recumbents
2 Main Street, Broomfleet, Brough, East Yorkshire, HU15 1RJ.
website:http://www.wrhpv.com

* Pedal Partners
91 Church Road, Tiptree, essex, CO5 OHB.
website:http://www.pedalpartners.co.uk/index.html

* Pashley Cycles
Pashley Cycles, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 9NL.
website:http://www.pashley.co.uk

 

[Mr Magoo]

what trikes does the D-Tek place in thetford sell?

You name it D.TEK appear to have it !
Just an amazing range and depth of stock .
Such a bonus to see all the great makes
side by side in one place .
How many forum members have spent hours trawling websites and then phoned to be greeted with "Ah you are asking if we stock them ...Hmm well ...we only list them and stock just one or two examples and can obtain the others listed on our website Sir if you place an order "

 

[Mr Magoo]

http://www.cyclecentric.com/

Here as well for Bacchetta and Optima.

Which Optima models do they have in stock ?
or are you quoting from a website list ?

 

[peter_streetmachineGT]

I don't know if rear suspension is strictly necessary but it certainly makes for a more comfortable and less alarming ride. Being lower down means you don't always see potholes until it's too late and you have to take them quite often at high speed.

 

[Amanda P]

You can order plans, a set of cut and bent tubes to weld yourself, or a painted or unpainted frame kit from Dom Bencivenga (dollars are still pretty cheap).

You get a quality frame and all non-standard parts. Builds up into a nice bike.