Excellent, Paul. I've only actually ever seen 1 on the road in the UK, in our European travels we've seen dozens, but that one is a bit special. Hats off to you, another great design.
I was injured at work about 2 years ago, this entire time I've hated how much I now rely on my vehicle. Your video has convinced me to convert my old bicycle and get back my freedom. Thanks a lot.
You have a fantastic optimism and outlook in life is a gift, I've seen some of your videos, great ideas and well put together...mind the knees kid their the only ones you got 👍
Recumbent bikes vary in price. They do sell Adult recumbent trikes. The best bang for the buck is by a brand from Taiwan I believe, named Performer Recumbent. They have a shop on Amazon, run by a bike shop out of the municipality of State College, PA (the home of Penn State). they ship internationally. You can pick up a Performer Recumbent for roughly 1800 bucks. The "big three" trike brands start at 2700 or more for their base models.
Oh yes, very much so. They are comfortable, durable, FAST AS ALL HECK, and great for long distance. Also, if you think about some basic physics, what stops a bike from going uphill is the balance issue. When you lose momentum you fall over. That doesn't happen on trike, you just keep pedaling and the bike holds itself up. GREAT for hills. GREAT for touring.
I like this bike and the frame. Looks very comfortable. For a cruiser/exercize bike I think you hit the thing on the head. Like to see you paint it and get rid of the burn marks. This could be a beauty. I made a custom bike frame on paper, a very low recumbant, as in about four inches off the, bottom of frame. I don't weld but I can learn, I know, but I would like to make my design a reality someday. I just posted a video/pictures of my last rebuild. I'm keeping this one, its so cool. I usually give them away. A 1959 Schwinn turned into a City Bomber.
Thanks Paul! I always enjoy your videos. This gives me great ideas for a similar build I want to do. Due to back problems I need to do a recumbent and can't see spending $1000's on one.
I buy bikes at Goodwill for ten bucks then cut them up the way I want them, then I go to my local scrap metal yard and buy other metal I need for them for pennies on the dollars bring it back and fabricate what I want and weld it together all though I do have my own welding and fabricating business I guess I'm lucky.
I sure like your designs. Last weekend I built one and will finish it tomorrow. I'm also using a $5 bike from a thrift shop. All that I have to do now is extend the steering, and want a different seat. The seat I have now comes from an old exercise bike, and its too heavy. I want to do a webbed one like on a lawn chair. Isnt bike making a great hobby!!!
Great job Paul, I also ride recumbent EVERYDAY and am older than you. From the looks of watching your cool builds/ride video my guess is that the bent does indeed not fit you correctly and this may be a part of hip/knee issues. Thanks for all the great videos you produce, Better than most of what is on TV.
Thanks Mike. My body build is stiff tendoned, which translates to I should be doing lots more pre stretching before and after a ride, especially on cold days. The pedal reach is good, but the short cranks are not helping much. I need to change it out for one with a longer reach.
So many stories about guys -- even young guys -- damaging their knees on recumbents. It doesn't make intuitive sense, but I've heard it too many times. What do you think might be about? Surely you've thought about it.
Nice work! Why did your knees blow out? too horizontal on the pedaling? I have a home built similar to that (knee injury) bike and want to know if I should ditch that design. Thanks for your videos, they are an inspiration.
i guess im asking randomly but does anybody know of a method to log back into an Instagram account? I was dumb forgot the password. I would appreciate any assistance you can give me.
@Maximus Westley i really appreciate your reply. I found the site thru google and im in the hacking process atm. Looks like it's gonna take a while so I will get back to you later with my results.
You might enjoy hanging out at a place like the Artisan's Asylum (in Massachusetts). It's jammed with people from all different manufacturing fields as well as amateurs. They have a table saw, arc welders, spot welders, scroll saw, chop saws, band saws, drill presses, lathes, 2 cnc milling machines (for wood and metal), milling machine, 3d printer, planer, hand power tools, sheet metal jump sheer and bender, and more.
It is generally true that allowing your knees to fully, or nearly fully extend reduces stress to your knees. I note in your video that your knees are NOT extending. Moving your seat back for greater knee extension will likely help.
Hey, nice bikes! I wanted aome advice on building a small recumbent bike seat for a diy recumbent I made from a clown bike. I folds smaller than a Dahon! Is a seat base made of wood and rails attached to it with zip ties a good idea?
I actually picked up a used sun cruiser recumbent cheap am waiting on some shifter parts it needed. .I is very similar layout to yours... I wonder if 20" wheel bikes can keep up with th 26" wheel ones...thanks
So we are currently 3 days from this video's 7th birthday. Since you've made this video, have your knees held up Paul? IF so, are you still riding the bike? Looks like a good design. I bet its a blast to ride on.
Tnx for the vid! Nice, simple design. ...and I am very concerned HOW you blew your knee out on a recumbent! Is that the downside??? +1 .. definitely should have used a rattle can before the photo op!
I know it's an old thread....just wondering if bents are particularly hard on knees that Paul keeps mentioning them, or does he have other issues contributing to the problem?
Does anyone know if a tricycle like the schwinn meridian can be modified with a recumbent seat and the long handle bars not sure what they are called. Sorry I’m just learning but trying yo get what I want without so much money. I’m wanting this type of seat for my back support
i want to make a 3 or 4-wheeled, low-gear pedal-lawnmower. it'll have reel mower blades at the front (like a golf course mower) that can be raised and lowered. it'll have a really short turn radius, and it'll have a series of gears that make it workable even in thick grass. but now that i've given you the idea, if you beat me to it, so be it.
Does the longer lower pedaling help you for your knees, my knees is also shot form the kind of work I use to do and do you think if your bike had three sprockets on the front pedaling it would do good on hills?
Yes it would do fine with a triple sprocket up front. I just putt around on the road you see on the video which is very flat. Not sure how your knees would react to a recumbent ride. The recumbent position unfortunately puts more stress on your knees seeing you don't have the ability to climb out of your seat going up hills and gravity actually helps the legs to push down on the pedals some when in the upright position.
Long-wheelbase recumbents always have very different front fork angle/rake/trail than upright bikes do. There must be reasons for this, but I can't fathom what they might be. If you can tell me anything, or point me to others who speak on this well, I'd sure appreciate it.
Did your feet slip off the pedals and feet hit the ground and pull your knees up under you.The reason I ask I was building a recumbent, but building some plat form up under the pedals to keep my feet from accidentally hitting the ground and bending my knees up under me, with my knee problems that would cripple me.
Go to my channel jesikebiking and check out my NO WELD recumbent Roadmaster . I joined two bike frames (a 26" and 20" ) with muffler and training wheel brackets and a it's a great ride
nice work!, but i was wondering, having kneeproblems myself,until a therapist told me my saddle was to low, so i didnt strech my legs during cycling, after the adjustment my leg would strech allmost totally when the peddles are in down position, and the discomfort dissapeared, i can see your new bike you keep your legs bent
They're close to what's recommended, but after 4 days of daily use I started to develope a pain in the uppper leg. It was cold during this time and I neglected to do pre and post stretches. I'll change out the cranks for taller ones soon. That and stretching should cure the problem.
The answer is 'YES'. Unlike a traditional bike a recumbent relies solely on your legs, and the knees take a lot more abuse, especially when you're climbing a hill exerting more pleasure than your body weight. Just go on short jaunts and take a week or two to get your knees use to the extra load.
Not sure. There are a lots of different physics going on between an upright and prone pedal stroke. Gravity, blood circulation, the ability or un-ability to 'standing' on your pedals when going up hill etc. Again, no matter what you get, just don't go on a marathon ride the first time out. Ease into it.
You got the write idea, Only it's ugly. Go back to your drowning table and come up with good looking design. I have some designs of my own and I have been designing 2-and 3 wheel bikes for the past 20 years. If you need any help redesigning your bike let me know and I will help you come up with a very good looking frame. (FOR-FREE)
какая чудесная идея ! на новогодних каникулах обязательно сварю из старых великов !
Excellent, Paul. I've only actually ever seen 1 on the road in the UK, in our European travels we've seen dozens, but that one is a bit special. Hats off to you, another great design.
I was injured at work about 2 years ago, this entire time I've hated how much I now rely on my vehicle. Your video has convinced me to convert my old bicycle and get back my freedom. Thanks a lot.
+Steven MacAulay I hope it works out for you Steve.
DO IT!!! You will love the look and feel of a recumbent. They are so much more comfortable to ride!
Great to here from you Paul !you are a true visionary and inspiration to makers world wide ! Amazing work as always !
hey paul, great examples of ingenuity and determination thru trial and error, most folks give up after the first attempt....
You have a fantastic optimism and outlook in life is a gift, I've seen some of your videos, great ideas and well put together...mind the knees kid their the only ones you got 👍
This is my favorite design.💯
That's absolutely cracking :)
Cool stuff, you have a creative mind. I like the peddle car.
This is a really nice well put together video.
I like your editing style.
Thanks for noticing! I spend about an hour editing for every minute of final cut. I'm picky that way...
great stuff paul ty for sharing,bellamy bros. old hippe comes to mind.good job like the history. ty
Really beautiful bike..I wish I had one..
It turned out well! I hope to make my own rec. bike.
An honest effort and efficient design. I like it.. The seat could use a new design but awesome...
Cool Ride, and a Fellow Burner!
I think its awesome that you could make something like a recumbent bike out of a 5 daller used bicycle love it
Awesome job Paul,
I would love to pull the bicycle camper with one of these!
Best,
SC
Bravo Paul super dizayn..
That's one sweet ride:)
Look like a nice ride!
very nice job it looks good
Absolutely! If you do complete the bike send me pictures and I'll include them on my web site.
www.ElkinsDIY.com
ok :)
How much do recumbent bikes cost? Do they also have adult recumbent tricycles?
Recumbent bikes vary in price. They do sell Adult recumbent trikes. The best bang for the buck is by a brand from Taiwan I believe, named Performer Recumbent. They have a shop on Amazon, run by a bike shop out of the municipality of State College, PA (the home of Penn State). they ship internationally.
You can pick up a Performer Recumbent for roughly 1800 bucks. The "big three" trike brands start at 2700 or more for their base models.
Christopher Lyons Are adult tricycles good too?
Oh yes, very much so. They are comfortable, durable, FAST AS ALL HECK, and great for long distance. Also, if you think about some basic physics, what stops a bike from going uphill is the balance issue. When you lose momentum you fall over. That doesn't happen on trike, you just keep pedaling and the bike holds itself up. GREAT for hills. GREAT for touring.
I'm in the process of building one of those out of a Schwinn stingray chopper frame I have done to bicycle touring trips on
Thanks man, very nice.
I like this bike and the frame. Looks very comfortable. For a cruiser/exercize bike I think you hit the thing on the head. Like to see you paint it and get rid of the burn marks. This could be a beauty. I made a custom bike frame on paper, a very low recumbant, as in about four inches off the, bottom of frame. I don't weld but I can learn, I know, but I would like to make my design a reality someday. I just posted a video/pictures of my last rebuild. I'm keeping this one, its so cool. I usually give them away. A 1959 Schwinn turned into a City Bomber.
U are inspiring please post more sir.
You' re the boss ; ) ...
Reminds me of my CCM Mustang bike I rode as a kid. You could brace your backside against the seat and really push.
Thanks Paul! I always enjoy your videos. This gives me great ideas for a similar build I want to do. Due to back problems I need to do a recumbent and can't see spending $1000's on one.
I buy bikes at Goodwill for ten bucks then cut them up the way I want them, then I go to my local scrap metal yard and buy other metal I need for them for pennies on the dollars bring it back and fabricate what I want and weld it together all though I do have my own welding and fabricating business I guess I'm lucky.
jedediahbc If you're not concerned about a few extra pounds, that is the best way to make a bike of your own design, for CHEEP!! And it's fun!
I sure like your designs. Last weekend I built one and will finish it tomorrow. I'm also using a $5 bike from a thrift shop. All that I have to do now is extend the steering, and want a different seat. The seat I have now comes from an old exercise bike, and its too heavy. I want to do a webbed one like on a lawn chair. Isnt bike making a great hobby!!!
Great job Paul, I also ride recumbent EVERYDAY and am older than you. From the looks of watching your cool builds/ride video my guess is that the bent does indeed not fit you correctly and this may be a part of hip/knee issues. Thanks for all the great videos you produce, Better than most of what is on TV.
Thanks Mike. My body build is stiff tendoned, which translates to I should be doing lots more pre stretching before and after a ride, especially on cold days.
The pedal reach is good, but the short cranks are not helping much. I need to change it out for one with a longer reach.
진짜 대단하네요
yeah i'm thinkin bout building one myself to avoid numb nuts and hands when cycling long distances.
So many stories about guys -- even young guys -- damaging their knees on recumbents. It doesn't make intuitive sense, but I've heard it too many times. What do you think might be about? Surely you've thought about it.
I thumbed up for the master craftsman welds...
Cool!
Nice work! Why did your knees blow out? too horizontal on the pedaling? I have a home built similar to that (knee injury) bike and want to know if I should ditch that design. Thanks for your videos, they are an inspiration.
Love it. I wish I had the skills to do this.
i guess im asking randomly but does anybody know of a method to log back into an Instagram account?
I was dumb forgot the password. I would appreciate any assistance you can give me.
@Alvaro Chaim Instablaster ;)
@Maximus Westley i really appreciate your reply. I found the site thru google and im in the hacking process atm.
Looks like it's gonna take a while so I will get back to you later with my results.
@Maximus Westley It did the trick and I now got access to my account again. I am so happy:D
Thank you so much, you saved my account!
@Alvaro Chaim no problem :D
You might enjoy hanging out at a place like the Artisan's Asylum (in Massachusetts). It's jammed with people from all different manufacturing fields as well as amateurs. They have a table saw, arc welders, spot welders, scroll saw, chop saws, band saws, drill presses, lathes, 2 cnc milling machines (for wood and metal), milling machine, 3d printer, planer, hand power tools, sheet metal jump sheer and bender, and more.
Wow to weld is a true kind of creative freedom hu ?
It is generally true that allowing your knees to fully, or nearly fully extend reduces stress to your knees. I note in your video that your knees are NOT extending. Moving your seat back for greater knee extension will likely help.
Hey, nice bikes! I wanted aome advice on building a small recumbent bike seat for a diy recumbent I made from a clown bike. I folds smaller than a Dahon! Is a seat base made of wood and rails attached to it with zip ties a good idea?
I actually picked up a used sun cruiser recumbent cheap am waiting on some shifter parts it needed. .I is very similar layout to yours... I wonder if 20" wheel bikes can keep up with th 26" wheel ones...thanks
Without a chain guard it will eat a good pair of pants. And Be careful with the kickstand. I saw you takeoff without raising it. Nice Job!
So we are currently 3 days from this video's 7th birthday.
Since you've made this video, have your knees held up Paul?
IF so, are you still riding the bike?
Looks like a good design. I bet its a blast to ride on.
Tnx for the vid!
Nice, simple design.
...and I am very concerned HOW you blew your knee out on a recumbent!
Is that the downside???
+1 .. definitely should have used a rattle can before the photo op!
Neat!
Plans for quad?
I know it's an old thread....just wondering if bents are particularly hard on knees that Paul keeps mentioning them, or does he have other issues contributing to the problem?
What is the length of the recumbent cycle from front tyre to rear tyre
Does anyone know if a tricycle like the schwinn meridian can be modified with a recumbent seat and the long handle bars not sure what they are called. Sorry I’m just learning but trying yo get what I want without so much money. I’m wanting this type of seat for my back support
How fast does she go?
i want to make a 3 or 4-wheeled, low-gear pedal-lawnmower. it'll have reel mower blades at the front (like a golf course mower) that can be raised and lowered. it'll have a really short turn radius, and it'll have a series of gears that make it workable even in thick grass. but now that i've given you the idea, if you beat me to it, so be it.
Ha ha I made that up in my mind one day to save on gas grass cutting. Haven't made it yet either.
has any one done with a car streering wheel to turn the front wheel jusa wondering
Does the longer lower pedaling help you for your knees, my knees is also shot form the kind of work I use to do and do you think if your bike had three sprockets on the front pedaling it would do good on hills?
Yes it would do fine with a triple sprocket up front. I just putt around on the road you see on the video which is very flat. Not sure how your knees would react to a recumbent ride. The recumbent position unfortunately puts more stress on your knees seeing you don't have the ability to climb out of your seat going up hills and gravity actually helps the legs to push down on the pedals some when in the upright position.
Hi Paul, nice work, congratulations. What's the size of the wheels on your recumbent bicycle?
+Zvonko Zgorelac
20" wheels
Long-wheelbase recumbents always have very different front fork angle/rake/trail than upright bikes do. There must be reasons for this, but I can't fathom what they might be. If you can tell me anything, or point me to others who speak on this well, I'd sure appreciate it.
Pravda,tahovou linku je dobré mít v nějaké chráničce.😀
Did your feet slip off the pedals and feet hit the ground and pull your knees up under you.The reason I ask I was building a recumbent, but building some plat form up under the pedals to keep my feet from accidentally hitting the ground and bending my knees up under me, with my knee problems that would cripple me.
That wasn't the problem with my other recumbent. The pedals were up high.
I've always wanted a recumbent, and the costs have prevented me from buying one...guess I'll have to learn me some welding now!
Go to my channel jesikebiking and check out my NO WELD recumbent
Roadmaster . I joined two bike frames (a 26" and 20" ) with muffler and
training wheel brackets and a it's a great ride
jesikebiking Nice set up! very resourceful.
Paul Elkins
Thank you very much Paul for the great comment :-)
and also thks for all the great videos
nice work!, but i was wondering, having kneeproblems myself,until a therapist told me my saddle was to low, so i didnt strech my legs during cycling, after the adjustment my leg would strech allmost totally when the peddles are in down position, and the discomfort dissapeared, i can see your new bike you keep your legs bent
They're close to what's recommended, but after 4 days of daily use I started to develope a pain in the uppper leg. It was cold during this time and I neglected to do pre and post stretches. I'll change out the cranks for taller ones soon. That and stretching should cure the problem.
Color???
I consider buying recumbent cruzbike q45. Still not sure 100 percent. They are God damn expensive
65$ for 2 chains???
why did you knees blowout? Will this be a risk, I will face, if I get a recumbent bike?
The answer is 'YES'. Unlike a traditional bike a recumbent relies solely on your legs, and the knees take a lot more abuse, especially when you're climbing a hill exerting more pleasure than your body weight. Just go on short jaunts and take a week or two to get your knees use to the extra load.
what about semi recubent bikes? do they have the same knee issue?
Not sure. There are a lots of different physics going on between an upright and prone pedal stroke. Gravity, blood circulation, the ability or un-ability to 'standing' on your pedals when going up hill etc. Again, no matter what you get, just don't go on a marathon ride the first time out. Ease into it.
thanks
2Chaines. !!!!!
pedal to the metal
You got the write idea, Only it's ugly. Go back to your drowning table and come up with good looking design. I have some designs of my own and I have been designing 2-and 3 wheel bikes for the past 20 years. If you need any help redesigning your bike let me know and I will help you come up with a very good looking frame. (FOR-FREE)
3:23 It doesn't fit you well. Maybe you "blew out" your knees because your x-seam is too cramped.