I too have a Catrike Expedition w/all panniers and gear for touring. I would like to hear about your cross country tour on your trike. Did you post your tour on any website?
For seniors, balance difficulties, decreased strength, and slow reaction times prevent them from riding upright or recumbent bikes. Recumbent trikes are the ideal and welcome solution. The ones like the HP Velotechnik Scorpion PLUS are more desirable for seniors because their seats are appreciably higher and are easier to get into and back out of.
If you are buying your first trike, that can be an amazing experience as they are a great way to have exercise and see the scenery. But if you think you might get numbness in your feet or ":recumbent butt" see if you can try before you buy. I brought a beautiful Ice sprint new but the pedal axle is about 6 inches higher than the seat so I got both these problems and had to sell it even after trying various adjustments. Then I brought an Ice Adventure which has the pedal axle and seat height more or less the same. It was night and day, no issues at all. While some folk like the higher pedal axle height (more speed perhaps) its a lot of money if you get it wrong. Greenspeed magnum, anura and GT20 are other trikes with the seat higher than the pedal axle.
For seniors with balance and strength issues, the TRIOT trikes and the Terra Trike Rover models make it so much easier to get into and out of them. And you can be seen more easily by car drivers too. I will be test riding a TRIOT trike in March.
Four things that didn't get mentioned, mostly for two wheeled recumbents. 1) You can't get out of the saddle and throw your weight around to gain a torque advantage, such as on hills. All the power comes from a sitting (laying) position spin, so get used to using your gears. Pay attention to your knee extension geometry and adjust to keep your knees intact. It's easy to blow out your knees on a recumbent, especially if you try mashing. 2) You have to steer to keep your balance. Upright bikes use the combination of steering and weight shifting. Many riders don't like the constant steering required. Riding a recumbent at slow speeds (such as up a hill) can be somewhat chaotic. 3) Some recumbents are prone to discomfort from sitting in a single position for a long time. Places this shows up are in the arm, hand, foot and leg numbness, recumbent butt, and neck pain. Proper adjustment and set up are critical, but there are some problems that won't go away and require work-arounds to take long rides. I was able to adjust my TourEasy to get rid of my arm and hand numbness, but have to take periodic rest stops due to recumbent butt. 4) Recumbents require a mirror to see what's behind you. You generally can't turn around to check things out behind you, so you wind up with a relatively large mirror. They may look stupid, but you don't really want to ride without one. A good sized flashing tail light is also worth having. Recumbents are a series of compromises, but so are upright bikes. If you do your homework you may be able to find what will work best for you. Don't fall in love with an assumption then find that the marriage was never destined to work out.
One more thing should be mention here in my opinion. When doing any exercise, your blood pressure is going up. When you sit in such a low position the situation is even worst ( causing too big pressure in your head which is simply dangerous ) so you are not able to produce same amount of power for a long period of time as sitting upright. Such bikes are good for Sunday rides for pleasure, maybe even they are perfect for it. Not for speeding I'm afraid. Although the speed record is probably done in a similar bike, it was only gained for a moment, to catch it by the measuring device. The speed record for 1 hour ride is done in normal bike...
marek mkm so in your opinion they are not suitable for long distance cruising? Is there any precautions or advice you have to correct the dangerous head blood pressure? I just got one and a bit disappointed at the handling characteristics and the amount of effort required. Although it may take a while to build up my stamina or as they say bent legs and learning how to maneuver the contraption.
Mike Brownlee, I really do not understand where Marek got his information on blood pressure ( does he ride upside down,) , and obviously he is relaying information from a third party and not from personal experience. As to long distance cruising , they are far more comfortable , have less wind resistance , and properly set up have no pains whatsoever. Yes you still get tired leg muscles. Recumbut is generally a seat tilting issue and I find that a full mesh seat takes care of the situation. I will never go back to a normal bike because of the comfort and speed I get from my touring bent. As your body ages you will find that various body parts do not like what we have taken for granted all this time . Lots of people who get off their bike because of pain anywhere do not look at alternatives they find something else to do. Recumbents hold about 1% of the US market so not a lot of recumbent companies out there. It does have a learning curve or unlearning, as you need to relax the upper body , no tight grip on the bars , spin not mash the gears , build up your endurance slowly just as you did when you first got a normal bike which as you realize you did not just jump on and win races with it. I bought a brand new touring bent just after I saw someone ride off with my beloved recumbent custom built by me. This time I got exactly what I wanted and I still changed a couple of parts. The seat which so many people love was changed to a full mesh seat and custom fit by myself and the crank arms were reduced to 153 mm from the 170 mm it came with. Shorter cranks are not for everyone but I find that I have all the power and a better spin with the shorter arms, and as I lead group rides with a meetup group I maintain a decent speed and according to some too fast . BTW buy used as the first bent will not be your last. Far more variety out there in bent land than there is in Diamond Frame land.
According to Bicycleman the dealer , ." The Street Machine is not a race bike. It climbs well for a 36 lb bike but not as quickly as a lighter, less versatile Lightning, Bacchetta or Volae." It is a very good bent and will serve you well. My Giro A 20 is 28 pounds without the pedals ? However after I load my bent with the U-Lock , 6 pounds of water, all my tools , big pump, rear rack, spare tubes and a pannier that I always carry ,I find that my bent weighs in close to 40 pounds. When you are comfortable on your bike , whatever it is , then weight only means something if you are in competition. The gearing that my bent came with was good, and when I got my new crank arms which I had ordered before the bent itself, I now have even lower gearing which gets me up hills, albeit very slowly, but I have yet to walk.
You covered it all. I love recumbents. I've owned long and short wheel based bikes with over and under steering. I will never go back to a diamond frame.
Spent this summer trying out various recumbents. Decided to go with 2 wheels instead of 3. Both types were fun to ride, easy to steer. Will be getting mine next spring, as they are a bit expensive. Used ones are going for half their original price several years later.
+Mac Wildstar true. i bought mine (Challenge Focus with under-seat steering) within a range of 300 dollars. at first it was priced around the 1200 dollar range.
I always get recliners, but they never have a perfect position. I'd like an infinitely adjustable recliner with all kinds of extra adjustments that would drive the price up to about 45,000 dollars per chair. I often daydream of making the perfect recliner, but I never actually do anything about it.
I rode uprights many thousands of miles before switching to a short wheelbase recumbent and it was love at first ride. Coming to adult cycling from a background in kart, powerboat, and sports car racing I was immediately struck by the vastly superior handling characteristics of short wheelbase recumbents. Corners that I had to brake for on my upright I could pedal through full tilt on my recumbent. Ride comfort? Simply no comparing the two. For years I had suffered from saddle sores, sore wrists, numb hands, and an achy neck. All that vanished when I switched to recumbents. All that said I am not much of a fan of recumbent trikes. I gave one a try some years ago and was not impressed. Simply put a big part of the joy I experience on a bike has to do with the wonderful sense of union that develops between me and the bicycle. Balancing, using body english in turns, shift weight forward and back, all these things help me feel like a true participant in the sport of cycling. Riding a trike I felt more like a galley slave pumping away with my feet to propel the trike forwards with none of the tactile feedback that for me at least provides the greatest rewards of cycling. I'm not saying trikes don't have a rightful place in the cycling world, but not for me.
You just didn't give trikes a chance. It's obvious that by reading your fondness riding style of needing to always carve through the road on your rides. That adrenaline is a key component to your riding style. Recumbent trikes are a totally different experience. I have two trikes, a Catrike Expedition and a Catrike 700; the 700 is fast. They are also much better than any two wheeled bicycle for touring for many reasons.
Another reason is they just look so cool and interesting. The most interesting and friendly people ride recumbents and that is a proven fact. Anywhere you stop you get a friendly wave and chat with other recumbent riders
I ordered my recumbent trike a few days ago and can't wait to get it. I have a bad neck so I will sit up straighter, and probably get the headrest. I cannot hunch over a regular bike anymore. I have never seen anyone on a recumbent bike around here; maybe I will start a trend!
petmom ful that is great news for you. I know you are going to have a great time on it and get back that great feeling of being out and about enjoying the open air. Will take a little time for legs and lungs to get cycle fit again but well worth the effort. There is nothing to beat the adrenaline rush of going fast on a bike and the enjoyment of good exercise. Pedal safe.
Thank you. My lungs and legs are doing okay because I walk and jog. But I am sure this will use different muscles. I am so excited to get it. It was a bit above my budget, but my husband said that if I want it that bad, we should get it! I have been laid up for years with bad arthritis in my neck. But in Dec. I became a low fat, whole foods, vegan, and it has changed my life. My pain is greatly reduced. Then I found out about these bikes and I was ready to go! All my grown kids and grandkids are waiting to try it as well. I should get it in a couple of days. I will go buy a helmet and flag and will stay off the main roads for now. Then I will get a bike rack for it, and will take it to some bike paths. I live near a little historic town that has very little traffic, so I plan on riding there for now.
petmom ful that is so inspiring. Need to get one of those cheap go pro copies of eBay and film some of your adventures with it. Got a feeling you are going to have a great time with it and do some fantastic rides. Stay visible and stay safe,happy riding.
Traditional roadsters gave a semi-recumbent experience. Wide sprung saddles, high wrap round bars, slack seat angle, long fork rake. Dutch bikes were built for comfort and good sight lines. I've only tried other people's recumbents. The most fun were small wheeled trikes down hill, probably also the least practical in general conditions, and heavy. The quickest were SWB lightweight big wheel recumbent bikes. They also had the most uncompromising riding position. In a world where cyclists didn't have to engage with other traffic, recumbents would unquestionably be the most practical solution. In the real world of crazy drivers, suicidal pedestrians, apartment living, potholed roads, traffic jams and the rest, the diamond frame bike is still the stealthiest and most flexible option.
Nice video. I would add: stability for the trikes, the possibility of install electric motors with the trike for people with health issues. And velomobiles are the fastest bikes around, yet you can use velomobiles, trikes and recumbents to go touring for weeks on end. Yes, take them on your holiday.
Now, based off my own experiences, negatives of two wheeled, low racer recumbents. 1. Hills. The bike is heavier, more torque is lost in the long chains, meaning slower and more pain up hills. Hills just suck. I use my road bike for really hilly rides. 2. Rain. You cannot look down. You're looking right up into the rain, your face cannot turn away. If there is even a slight chance of rain. The bent is put away, and road bike comes out. 3. Dirt. Any loose dirt, sand, or gravel, you're going to go down. The back tire gets way too squirrely. And before you even catch yourself, you're sliding on pavement. But even with the negatives, when I'm barely using any energy and maintaining a 20mph average, especially on curvy paths, the low racer is just so much fun.
I can and have picked up good conventional bikes for under £30- $40? But bents are even hundreds of pounds dollars for the cheapest versions, that's a huge factor. They are just beyond many people's budgets.
I've ridden a recumbent for years and find the very laid-back position you need to gain much aerodynamic advantage quite uncomfortable. Going uphill? - I can keep up with uprights no problem even when they are standing. I think most people stand on regular bikes to get off their sore arses for a moment. I am about to by a trike to allow winter riding when it is a little icy (I learned not to do that on a bike...duhhh!). Also of course they are a lot easier to fair for better drag performance and inclement weather. Lots of lights, flags etc required for visibility I suspect, but on some you sit nearly as high as in most small cars anyway. I rode on in Switzerland thirty years ago that was so low you couldn't see over most car hoods....scary!
I'm not a recumbent rider (3-speed Brompton folder instead) but I've never felt the need to get out of the saddle going uphill. Use your lowest gear and [IMHO] it shouldn't be necessary. But on the flip side, speed has never been my goal in life.
What's with the weird waddle run when starting? Why not just start from a standstill with one good pedal stroke like every 'bent rider I've ever seen (myself included)?
+Hamilcar Stronginthearm that could be done too. you dont look like a penguin and you actually accellerate like twice as fast. plus you dont flip onto your face when using the pedal-stroke method. but with above seat steering the penguin method is for some types of bycicle much better, altough i dont agree with that.
One thing you missed is how does it feel to be that low to the ground when you're in the vicinity of cars? Are you visible? Do you feel as visibile? Can you get out of their way as fast as a regular bike which is slower than if you were on foot. Another thing would be can you generate as much power as a person on a regular bike? Person on a regular bike can stand on the pedals, which puts all his weight into going forward. A recumbent cyclist can only use the muscles of the leg to push and some of that muscle seems to be used in just preventing the leg from falling on the ground. Clips and proper settings can probably offset some of this. I tried out a recumbent once and things weren't set up ideally. I felt like I had a lot less power. What is involved in transporting a recumbent with a car? How is it different from a regular bike? What about acid reflux in that position? Recumbents seem to cost a lot more. Parts are probably harder to come by.
I do most of me riding on a hight racer.(bacchetta) i have one eye on the mirror all the time and pretty comfortable on the road( two rear-facing white strobes also). I never ride a trike on the road... to low for me
As a long time recumbent rider I don't recommend starting two wheel recumbent like shown on this video, try start on a uphill - it's imposible that way . Just sit/lay down and start.
I think recumbents are slower up hill due to the extra weight and wind resistance has less effect at low speed but on average they are quicker. Safety due to low visibility due to the reduced size of frontal area and height compared to other vehicles is a concern for me. Also bright cyclist clothing cannot be seen from the rear. I still plan to get one though!
This whole deal about visibility by cars is a myth. I ride my Bacchetta Giro A 20 and I sit higher on it than when I sit in my Jetta. I have no problem seeing or being seen. If visibility is what is required to be seen and avoided how do you explain any car accident with another car? Certainly they are big enough to be seen.
Don't forget: If you hit something on a recumbent, it will be feet first. If you hit something on a conventional bike, it will be head first. In the event of a truly horrible crash, your quality of life with traumatic leg injuries will be far superior to your quality of life with a traumatic brain injury.
Well I have successfully proved that if you drop your front end of the recumbent into a ditch ,you can do a head plant very easily. Impact crater with my helmet ,headlight and shoulder imprint is in a west Vancouver ditch. I now have a new helmet and fear of high speed corners!! All other accidents have been a fall to the side. Regardless of accident type they all tend to hurt so try to avoid them.
Only slower if the upright cyclist stands up, which is cheating, or at least comparing apples with oranges and in any case is totaly knackering and unpleasant and an admission of failure (oh you poor thing, you cant climb while sitting lol). Im a real man so i always spin the peddles up hills on my road and mtb and so i didnt feel any slower up hills when i got my catrike 700. I was pleasantly suprised how easy hills were on it, definitely aided by not having to worry about being wobbly. I think the myth that recumbents are slow on hills relies on the upright nit picking cyclist standing up...well doh of course your gonna be faster. No shit sherlock. the mountain bike rider is faster than the roadie too on hills if the rider stands up. Nobody points this out. Otherwise, theres not alot of difference, other than the inevitable loss or gain accounted for by any weight difference of any two bikes. You are certainly not putting out less power while in a recumbent position.
You don't start the way pictured. You pick a foot, clip in if you have clips, and give a push. If you are clipped in you might pedal a whole revolution if you get your other foot up late.
Objection! Re: No neck pain: Riding a recumbent without a headrest is *AGONY* on the neck for someone unused to leaning back with their head unsupported! A headrest will carry shocks straight through to the skull unless very carefully designed. Too soft a cushion and it will be very hot. Too hard and it will be unbearable on today's typically rough roads. A recumbent trike owner very kindly offered me a ride and I had to stop within 50 yards because of the pain in my neck! I had been looking forwards to trying a recumbent trike for many years. No doubt the required muscles can be developed, over time, but it is unfair to suggest that the neck problem does not exist for beginners.
***** In your haste to tell me I am wrong you obviously did not read my comment properly. A fellow tricyclist kindly leant me his recumbent tadpole trike. He was expecting me to be gone for some time. But I was back within a minute because my unsupported neck was literally in agony from leaning my head back. I was hugely disappointed because I had always wanted to try a modern recumbent after building my own LWB back in the 1980s. I have always loved the idea of recumbents and still consider buying one occasionally provided it has a headrest. Is that enough information for you?
Glancing down at all the YT video thumbnails of recumbent videos I see all the riders are bending their necks to bring their heads perfectly upright. Racing upright cycles and particularly triathlon/TT machines forces the rider to support the entire weight of their head and often a helmet too. Perhaps the human neck muscles are better able to cope with such loads than the "flip-top head" style demanded by recumbents? Or, more simply, both types of machine will [eventually] improve the rider's neck muscle strength to cope with the loads applied. Do not automatically leap to the defence of recumbent cycles because you dislike any criticism of the type. The recumbent ought to be the machine of choice for distance touring. Simply because of the greater comfort offered compared with any bicycle saddle. While I still prefer to enjoy the view over the hedge. Rather than being at eye level with the 7 axles of an intercontinental HGV in the wet or on dusty roads!
4.bp.blogspot.com/_6k-wLqmhRSk/SnhN0GY9WDI/AAAAAAAACjg/b8oFVGhrfQE/s400/free+017.jpg My self-built 1980s LWB used for commuting to work. Now stop behaving like an immature troll.
I was not referring to my own LWB needing a headrest but to the real road scrapers like the Windcheetah. Which was, probably, well before your time as a recent convert to the exhaust tailpipe viewpoint. Man was never designed to travel on his back. It is the repose of sleep.
+JDH Microscopy I would argue that leaning forwards is much nearer to a human running. While lying down is much nearer to sleeping. Cycling is much faster than running or walking and gives the rider a range which runners and walkers can only dream about. Cycling is similar to, but faster than riding a horse and humans have been doing that for probably hundreds of thousands of years. Each to their own form of transport. There is no right or wrong way for humans to get about under their own power on our planet. Only foolishly fixed opinions on how others should do it. ;-)
I almost never do a push-off on my recumbent bikes. I just start pedaling like a normal bicycle. As for are they fast, "Hell Yes!" And one reason to ride a recumbent is because they are cool looking. I have had to pay for my friends who ride wedgies because I get the attention when on rides. Kids yell "Cool Bike" all the time when I am out riding.
+scrunge13 There are many wedgies who just try to ignore recumbents riders on the road, I can understand them, probably they may have spent thousand and thousand of £££ on their DFs bike, yet people on the road look at my bent... Priceless!!!
There a lots of recumbent vids, none of which touch the matter of hill climbing. Please tell me about pedalling uphill. We have some steep climbs in the UK. Our roads go straight over, not easy grade hairpins. Preferably some demonstration Vids too. On both 2 and 3 wheel recumbents.
Great information. In your next video, please do not make the volume for the narrator so low that we have to raise the volume of our speakers, then abruptly add music at normal levels which causes someone in the next room to get woke up from their sleep.
speed has a lot to do with the gearing, my recumbent has a 21 speed shifter rear 10 tooth front 54 teeth,whice makes it able to go faster some racers have 65 teeth up front an 9 teeth in back ,going down hill at 75 miles an hour. whiceever its is comfy
this looks like just the thing for me, being disabled and not able to work for almost 20 years sucks, i have no bike cant get on one without falling off. so i need something that gives me good exercise but keeps me safe i like the reclined position no back pain no neck pain easy to get on and off and stop and go. what bout hill climbing we got some hills in this town not many we live in a river valley so only one hill to go up. small town minnesota cold winters lots of snow long winters too. but in these next 5 months i want to ride a bike i won't fall off of. what sort of issues can you run into with them. i woudlnt' want it stolen if i took it to the store to get a few thigns rather then drive and waste gas in a small town it just makes more sense to find cheaper transportation then driving a few miles to the store . 3 mile round trip.
So, hey, did you get one? I am disabled, too, and I have a really bad neck. I cannot ride a regular bike. Yesterday I test rode a recumbent trike and I was comfortable right away. I am 62 and I sure miss riding a bike. On the recumbent, I can sit up pretty straight, and a neck support can be purchased if I find that I need it. I loved it so much my husband bought it for me. I get it next week and I am so excited to start riding again!!
One downside I can think of - the rider position is low, so he is less visibale to other road users, and doesn't have good visibility in traffic. In Russia motorists don't pay any attention to cyclists, and beeing able to look far, or over the cars is essential. Although after having watched this video, I can say that recumbents would exel at long duration out of city riding.
+Андрей Калинкин There is the misconception that being low they are difficult to be seen. Would you then say that you can not see a child crossing the road because he is "low"? They really excel for very long distance cycling out of the traffic
+Hpv Speedmachine my understanding is the reason recumbents often have flags attached on a pole is because they are less easy to see. I would agree with it. It goes together with the frontal area being smaller, I guess. Also especially when there are other road users, smaller vehicles seem harder to notice. In general bicycles and motorbikes are less visible to car drivers. That's why they often have their lights on. Recently a guy on a trike was run over by a truck from behind (TH-cam - JaYoe) It would certainly be great to find a way to make recumbents more visible especially from the rear.
I drive a VW Jetta and I sit lower in that than my Bacchetta recumbent. So can I be seen? Go look at a wrecking yard for cars and trucks and ask yourself what is the most common excuse for an accident ? " I didn't see the other car " . We as cyclists have to be aware all the time that regardless of how many flags , lights or bright colored clothing choices we have , we are vulnerable to not being seen by car and truck drivers.
Actually, I feel safer on my bent. With the mirrors, I can see cars easier, well before they see me and can track their movements. And when they do see me, I always get more room. They must think I'm handicapped or something.
Music needs to be at the same volume as speaking , I have never seen any bent person do a running start on any bent? You need to push off one good stroke of the pedal to get moving and has been stated try your running start up a hill, won't work. Where is the less common clwb as in Bacchetta Cafe? In reply to Tricyclist when trying any bent or bike proper setup is mandatory , not just jumping on and assuming all bents are the way you found that particular one to be.
How to start? I have never seen any recumbent people I ride with take a running start to get going. You just sit down get one foot on the pedal and go. Try a running start going uphill? Hah not going to work is it.
Much less safe, difficult to steer and handle plus harder for cars to see. Also much slower on uphills because of weight and position, and that weight plus length makes them harder to carry around. -but you would have a garage and a house since they are incredibly expensive. Faster on flats and more comfortable are the only advantages.
+Ben Braceletspurple Much less safe? Totally wrong, I feel much safer riding my recumbent. On a road bike I feel ignored, on a bent everybody (including animals ;))) look at me Harder to carry around? how many times did you take your bike on a bus, train? Much slower up hill? True, however, because the are faster and far much more comfortable on the flat they are a total enjoyment to ride. I believe the people here criticizing recumbent and giving negative comments have never ridden one in their lifetime . Probably it is the envy factor, I own a road bike, a mountain bike, of course If I have to go on the mountains I choose the MTB but on the flat the bent is the winner! If you don't ride bents please don't even comment, there are thousands of YT videos that can open your mind
+Hpv Speedmachine I've ridden them, obviously in a matter of opinion if you like one then you will buy it and own it, I'd someone gave a recumbent to me I'd ride it, but it depends where you live man. statistically, recumbents get hit more often, can't argue with hospital data. But I was loaned one by someone who broke their back and had to ride it, and I couldn't do the same fun things I could on a normal bike, and I just didn't enjoy it. however squashing myths with inaccurate data is like saying sharks don't bite because humans taste bad to them. (granted sharks do bite, and it is a good analogy since shark bites are indeed rare.)
And, I live in an apartment, so when I say tough to carry, I'm referring to the fact I have to maneuver up and down a few flights of stairs every single ride. Much heavier, price weight relationship is ridiculous, a 10k road bike is at most half the weight of a 10k long-wheelbase recumbent, and you would need a low-to-ground long one to compete with an aero road bike in aerodynamics on flats since most tt/aero upright bikes average 30-40 mph, and then turn around and go lightning quick uphill and around tight bends.
It is also true that you need to adapt to the bent and you cannot get the most out of it just riding few hundreds meters. With mine I needed months to build the right muscles but now it is all natural. After years, I tried again my old road bike and the feeling was like being on a perch, much more vulnerable to fall and hit the ground with the head first... I would like to know data saying that statistically bent are hit more often that DF bikes. Can you let me know where it says so because i could be wrong...
For how many exist vs normal bikes, they are hit much more often it's common knowledge use thy internet, don't be lazy and make me bring up the first fucking result myself and laugh at your ignorance and my own naivety of obeying your "prove it" command.
What about handling? You can't get the same effect of standing up to absorb bumps or throw your bodyweight around to corner hard or unweight the front or rear wheels. If I hit a big bump or go off the path, am I fucked?
+Willy Goat The trikes will handle very well, they're stable at any speed. A mesh seat is good for absorbing bumps plus the shock is spread over more body area than a bike saddle. Some trikes also have suspension. You can body-lean on a trike on hard corners, just lean from the waist.
I have a pile of used bicycles and i'm a welder/fabricator. I've been taking tons of pics of that new Catrike Dumont and intend to build a copy of it this weekend. We'll see how it goes. I like that it folds and the front suspension is nifty.
I have an M5 from 1991. A highrider. Still, the low center of gravity lets me take sharper turns. Today I heard a woman say the opposite in a video. Ignorance is a curse.
Gary Barker they are good because you can go as slow as you want and they don't tip over. so climbing hills at a crawl can be done. That being said they are heavier so they still take effort to get going. Overall I definitely prefer a recumbent tadpole trike due to their comfort, not to mention they are fun. I always compare them to riding a lawn chair around. Hope it helps.
Definitely easier to get around on a trike because you can just stop if you tire. I started using one cause my balance has gone funny and heart failure but I was delighted to discover the joy of cycling even on days when I can barely walk. I don't know why I can still do it but I can. The day I tried it first I was in ecstasy because I thought I had lost my independence. I haven't really used it much on road but I was a bit concerned traffic wouldn't see me with so many parked cars everywhere.
"no neck pain"??? Are you kidding me? I tried it once, and neck pain from having to bend my neck forward was absolutely unbearable. I rode the bike for 2 hours and felt the pain for 3 days. Overall I didn't like it. Felt like I wasn't in control of the bike, didn't feel confident swerving around obstacles and because of how low I was sitting, I had no good view around me, which is essential for safety. Maybe it's good for a lazy Sunday ride on a good path somewhere out of town (if you have a headrest or more upright position), but definitely not for everyday commute in the city or sports riding. Oh, and I also found out you really need a flat road. Running over curbs is a no-no. This makes this bike kind of useless for daily use for me.
MasterBata yup reverse trikes with suspension are ok,voting to deal with curbs and red lights and pedestrian crossings uprights are better but I'll take a recumbent 9times out of ten for a long road trip 100 miles a day,are much easier on a recumbent.
Eu então meu camarada eu gostei muito é isso aí manda mais notificação para que eu posso ver seus vídeos mais entendeu eu sou a ex daqui de Vitória espírito santo
Like all things cool they start out not cheap but like all things desirable there is the eventual factor. The recumbent is still in that mode where there are not that many yet and even the ones in higher production have not reached the mass market level yet. Just wait a few years and they will. When Chinese knock-offs start hitting Wal-Mart they will come in about the $500 to $800 mark but even there they will slide to the $300 mass sales mark but for now they remain in the cool ride category and those of us who are dedicated to them will pay that premium dollar for them. To take this case in point you can go to E-Bay right now and find a Chinese knock-off recumbent trike that is a bit overweight (44 lbs.) for $1200 US.
Been in recumbents since 1995. Buttocks and foot go numb mainly happens in swb when cranks are higher than the seat. Simple reflexology on little finger relieves numbness. Climb uphills' harder on chromolly steel, aluminum, titanium, scandium and lack of technique. Scan the maps where you are heading avoid congested cities like Beach Boulevard near Disneyland, mount a flag, mount red blinking light on ur helmet and mount COB light in front of ur helmet as well.
You may check atomiczombie dot com for various plans on recumbents that fits your wallet. So far Easy Racers has the most comfortable seat of all my years of experimenting in 1995. Swapping, trade-in up to 8+ plus recumbents so far.
>_> jesus... those silly start up looks hiedous, especially 2 wheels model 3 is fine though, its look cool but 2 ..... jesus I better go with out of saddle traditional bike style!
+Roywuzhere Most recumbent riders in my area, including myself, start by releasing the front brake while pushing the upper pedal. So just before starting, block the front brake, click in your favorite foot and (if it's the right foot) turn the crank to 11 o'clock position.
It is FUN, my friend. With my Fat Trike I go into the forest, jump over fallen trees and take it into the city. And climb a curb. The velomobile is my speedmachine, check out on YT the word: "Oliebollentocht".
Well submitting to peer pressure and not riding something because you may look funny is a bit immature. I do not conform to upright bike riders and have no problem with them even when they look the other way when passing . It is kind of humorous to be shunned by roadies.
its just familiarity. If recumbents were the norm, upright cyclists would get everyones attention. And im sure everyone stopped and gorped at the first car, or jogger, or whatever. If its not hurting anyone (or the environment) and it gives people a smile and makes dogs bark, its all good. In any case, looking different can have its plus points if you want to get car drivers to become consious of your existence and not run into the back of you. My recumbent trike puts me in stealth mode too. People think im a charming and good natured english excentric, when in fact im actually evil, and using it to deliver hard drugs and stolen goods around my estate lol.
I love my Catrike Expedition. I rode it across country during March and April 2019. Very comfortable.
I too have a Catrike Expedition w/all panniers and gear for touring.
I would like to hear about your cross country tour on your trike.
Did you post your tour on any website?
For seniors, balance difficulties, decreased strength, and slow reaction times prevent them from riding upright or recumbent bikes.
Recumbent trikes are the ideal and welcome solution.
The ones like the HP Velotechnik Scorpion PLUS are more desirable for seniors because their seats are appreciably higher and are easier to get into and back out of.
Now need to do video on just recumbent trikes.
If you are buying your first trike, that can be an amazing experience as they are a great way to have exercise and see the scenery. But if you think you might get numbness in your feet or ":recumbent butt" see if you can try before you buy. I brought a beautiful Ice sprint new but the pedal axle is about 6 inches higher than the seat so I got both these problems and had to sell it even after trying various adjustments. Then I brought an Ice Adventure which has the pedal axle and seat height more or less the same. It was night and day, no issues at all. While some folk like the higher pedal axle height (more speed perhaps) its a lot of money if you get it wrong. Greenspeed magnum, anura and GT20 are other trikes with the seat higher than the pedal axle.
Great video!!!! Add about the safety -- a LOT of people don't have the courage to try. Poiint out it is pretty tough to wreck a trike!
Great video Good job on breaking detailing the different Recumbent Trikes
For seniors with balance and strength issues, the TRIOT trikes and the Terra Trike Rover models make it so much easier to get into and out of them. And you can be seen more easily by car drivers too. I will be test riding a TRIOT trike in March.
Four things that didn't get mentioned, mostly for two wheeled recumbents. 1) You can't get out of the saddle and throw your weight around to gain a torque advantage, such as on hills. All the power comes from a sitting (laying) position spin, so get used to using your gears. Pay attention to your knee extension geometry and adjust to keep your knees intact. It's easy to blow out your knees on a recumbent, especially if you try mashing. 2) You have to steer to keep your balance. Upright bikes use the combination of steering and weight shifting. Many riders don't like the constant steering required. Riding a recumbent at slow speeds (such as up a hill) can be somewhat chaotic. 3) Some recumbents are prone to discomfort from sitting in a single position for a long time. Places this shows up are in the arm, hand, foot and leg numbness, recumbent butt, and neck pain. Proper adjustment and set up are critical, but there are some problems that won't go away and require work-arounds to take long rides. I was able to adjust my TourEasy to get rid of my arm and hand numbness, but have to take periodic rest stops due to recumbent butt. 4) Recumbents require a mirror to see what's behind you. You generally can't turn around to check things out behind you, so you wind up with a relatively large mirror. They may look stupid, but you don't really want to ride without one. A good sized flashing tail light is also worth having. Recumbents are a series of compromises, but so are upright bikes. If you do your homework you may be able to find what will work best for you. Don't fall in love with an assumption then find that the marriage was never destined to work out.
One more thing should be mention here in my opinion. When doing any exercise, your blood pressure is going up. When you sit in such a low position the situation is even worst ( causing too big pressure in your head which is simply dangerous ) so you are not able to produce same amount of power for a long period of time as sitting upright. Such bikes are good for Sunday rides for pleasure, maybe even they are perfect for it. Not for speeding I'm afraid. Although the speed record is probably done in a similar bike, it was only gained for a moment, to catch it by the measuring device. The speed record for 1 hour ride is done in normal bike...
marek mkm so in your opinion they are not suitable for long distance cruising? Is there any precautions or advice you have to correct the dangerous head blood pressure? I just got one and a bit disappointed at the handling characteristics and the amount of effort required. Although it may take a while to build up my stamina or as they say bent legs and learning how to maneuver the contraption.
Mike Brownlee, I really do not understand where Marek got his information on blood pressure ( does he ride upside down,) , and obviously he is relaying information from a third party and not from personal experience. As to long distance cruising , they are far more comfortable , have less wind resistance , and properly set up have no pains whatsoever. Yes you still get tired leg muscles. Recumbut is generally a seat tilting issue and I find that a full mesh seat takes care of the situation. I will never go back to a normal bike because of the comfort and speed I get from my touring bent.
As your body ages you will find that various body parts do not like what we have taken for granted all this time . Lots of people who get off their bike because of pain anywhere do not look at alternatives they find something else to do. Recumbents hold about 1% of the US market so not a lot of recumbent companies out there.
It does have a learning curve or unlearning, as you need to relax the upper body , no tight grip on the bars , spin not mash the gears , build up your endurance slowly just as you did when you first got a normal bike which as you realize you did not just jump on and win races with it.
I bought a brand new touring bent just after I saw someone ride off with my beloved recumbent custom built by me. This time I got exactly what I wanted and I still changed a couple of parts. The seat which so many people love was changed to a full mesh seat and custom fit by myself and the crank arms were reduced to 153 mm from the 170 mm it came with. Shorter cranks are not for everyone but I find that I have all the power and a better spin with the shorter arms, and as I lead group rides with a meetup group I maintain a decent speed and according to some too fast . BTW buy used as the first bent will not be your last. Far more variety out there in bent land than there is in Diamond Frame land.
Bruce W McLaughlin hi Bruce i got the street machine (used). I enjoy it alot.
According to Bicycleman the dealer , ." The Street Machine is not a race bike. It climbs well for a 36 lb bike but not as quickly as a lighter, less versatile Lightning, Bacchetta or Volae."
It is a very good bent and will serve you well. My Giro A 20 is 28 pounds without the pedals ? However after I load my bent with the U-Lock , 6 pounds of water, all my tools , big pump, rear rack, spare tubes and a pannier that I always carry ,I find that my bent weighs in close to 40 pounds. When you are comfortable on your bike , whatever it is , then weight only means something if you are in competition. The gearing that my bent came with was good, and when I got my new crank arms which I had ordered before the bent itself, I now have even lower gearing which gets me up hills, albeit very slowly, but I have yet to walk.
You covered it all. I love recumbents. I've owned long and short wheel based bikes with over and under steering. I will never go back to a diamond frame.
Spent this summer trying out various recumbents. Decided to go with 2 wheels instead of 3. Both types were fun to ride, easy to steer. Will be getting mine next spring, as they are a bit expensive. Used ones are going for half their original price several years later.
+Mac Wildstar true. i bought mine (Challenge Focus with under-seat steering) within a range of 300 dollars. at first it was priced around the 1200 dollar range.
That recliner visual is right on. I like it.
I always get recliners, but they never have a perfect position. I'd like an infinitely adjustable recliner with all kinds of extra adjustments that would drive the price up to about 45,000 dollars per chair. I often daydream of making the perfect recliner, but I never actually do anything about it.
I rode uprights many thousands of miles before switching to a short wheelbase recumbent and it was love at first ride. Coming to adult cycling from a background in kart, powerboat, and sports car racing I was immediately struck by the vastly superior handling characteristics of short wheelbase recumbents. Corners that I had to brake for on my upright I could pedal through full tilt on my recumbent. Ride comfort? Simply no comparing the two. For years I had suffered from saddle sores, sore wrists, numb hands, and an achy neck. All that vanished when I switched to recumbents. All that said I am not much of a fan of recumbent trikes. I gave one a try some years ago and was not impressed. Simply put a big part of the joy I experience on a bike has to do with the wonderful sense of union that develops between me and the bicycle. Balancing, using body english in turns, shift weight forward and back, all these things help me feel like a true participant in the sport of cycling. Riding a trike I felt more like a galley slave pumping away with my feet to propel the trike forwards with none of the tactile feedback that for me at least provides the greatest rewards of cycling. I'm not saying trikes don't have a rightful place in the cycling world, but not for me.
You just didn't give trikes a chance.
It's obvious that by reading your fondness riding style of needing to always carve through the road on your rides.
That adrenaline is a key component to your riding style.
Recumbent trikes are a totally different experience.
I have two trikes, a Catrike Expedition and a Catrike 700; the 700 is fast.
They are also much better than any two wheeled bicycle for touring for many reasons.
Another reason is they just look so cool and interesting. The most interesting and friendly people ride recumbents and that is a proven fact. Anywhere you stop you get a friendly wave and chat with other recumbent riders
I ordered my recumbent trike a few days ago and can't wait to get it. I have a bad neck so I will sit up straighter, and probably get the headrest. I cannot hunch over a regular bike anymore. I have never seen anyone on a recumbent bike around here; maybe I will start a trend!
petmom ful that is great news for you. I know you are going to have a great time on it and get back that great feeling of being out and about enjoying the open air. Will take a little time for legs and lungs to get cycle fit again but well worth the effort. There is nothing to beat the adrenaline rush of going fast on a bike and the enjoyment of good exercise. Pedal safe.
Thank you. My lungs and legs are doing okay because I walk and jog. But I am sure this will use different muscles. I am so excited to get it. It was a bit above my budget, but my husband said that if I want it that bad, we should get it! I have been laid up for years with bad arthritis in my neck. But in Dec. I became a low fat, whole foods, vegan, and it has changed my life. My pain is greatly reduced. Then I found out about these bikes and I was ready to go! All my grown kids and grandkids are waiting to try it as well. I should get it in a couple of days. I will go buy a helmet and flag and will stay off the main roads for now. Then I will get a bike rack for it, and will take it to some bike paths. I live near a little historic town that has very little traffic, so I plan on riding there for now.
petmom ful that is so inspiring. Need to get one of those cheap go pro copies of eBay and film some of your adventures with it. Got a feeling you are going to have a great time with it and do some fantastic rides. Stay visible and stay safe,happy riding.
Thank you so much. You stay safe as well!!
Traditional roadsters gave a semi-recumbent experience. Wide sprung saddles, high wrap round bars, slack seat angle, long fork rake. Dutch bikes were built for comfort and good sight lines.
I've only tried other people's recumbents. The most fun were small wheeled trikes down hill, probably also the least practical in general conditions, and heavy. The quickest were SWB lightweight big wheel recumbent bikes. They also had the most uncompromising riding position.
In a world where cyclists didn't have to engage with other traffic, recumbents would unquestionably be the most practical solution. In the real world of crazy drivers, suicidal pedestrians, apartment living, potholed roads, traffic jams and the rest, the diamond frame bike is still the stealthiest and most flexible option.
Nice video. I would add: stability for the trikes, the possibility of install electric motors with the trike for people with health issues. And velomobiles are the fastest bikes around, yet you can use velomobiles, trikes and recumbents to go touring for weeks on end. Yes, take them on your holiday.
Upright bikes is like SUV whilst recumbents are like Italian exotic cars.
Could you feature safety ie, visibility from motor vehicles please? Great video !
Now, based off my own experiences, negatives of two wheeled, low racer recumbents.
1. Hills. The bike is heavier, more torque is lost in the long chains, meaning slower and more pain up hills. Hills just suck. I use my road bike for really hilly rides.
2. Rain. You cannot look down. You're looking right up into the rain, your face cannot turn away. If there is even a slight chance of rain. The bent is put away, and road bike comes out.
3. Dirt. Any loose dirt, sand, or gravel, you're going to go down. The back tire gets way too squirrely. And before you even catch yourself, you're sliding on pavement.
But even with the negatives, when I'm barely using any energy and maintaining a 20mph average, especially on curvy paths, the low racer is just so much fun.
I can and have picked up good conventional bikes for under £30- $40? But bents are even hundreds of pounds dollars for the cheapest versions, that's a huge factor. They are just beyond many people's budgets.
price for the used one's are coming down. they are worth every penny. you will ride more miles then an upright, and be happier.
I've ridden a recumbent for years and find the very laid-back position you need to gain much aerodynamic advantage quite uncomfortable. Going uphill? - I can keep up with uprights no problem even when they are standing. I think most people stand on regular bikes to get off their sore arses for a moment. I am about to by a trike to allow winter riding when it is a little icy (I learned not to do that on a bike...duhhh!). Also of course they are a lot easier to fair for better drag performance and inclement weather. Lots of lights, flags etc required for visibility I suspect, but on some you sit nearly as high as in most small cars anyway. I rode on in Switzerland thirty years ago that was so low you couldn't see over most car hoods....scary!
I'm not a recumbent rider (3-speed Brompton folder instead) but I've never felt the need to get out of the saddle going uphill. Use your lowest gear and [IMHO] it shouldn't be necessary. But on the flip side, speed has never been my goal in life.
What's with the weird waddle run when starting? Why not just start from a standstill with one good pedal stroke like every 'bent rider I've ever seen (myself included)?
+Hamilcar Stronginthearm that could be done too. you dont look like a penguin and you actually accellerate like twice as fast. plus you dont flip onto your face when using the pedal-stroke method. but with above seat steering the penguin method is for some types of bycicle much better, altough i dont agree with that.
One thing you missed is how does it feel to be that low to the ground when you're in the vicinity of cars? Are you visible? Do you feel as visibile? Can you get out of their way as fast as a regular bike which is slower than if you were on foot.
Another thing would be can you generate as much power as a person on a regular bike? Person on a regular bike can stand on the pedals, which puts all his weight into going forward. A recumbent cyclist can only use the muscles of the leg to push and some of that muscle seems to be used in just preventing the leg from falling on the ground. Clips and proper settings can probably offset some of this. I tried out a recumbent once and things weren't set up ideally. I felt like I had a lot less power.
What is involved in transporting a recumbent with a car? How is it different from a regular bike?
What about acid reflux in that position?
Recumbents seem to cost a lot more. Parts are probably harder to come by.
I do most of me riding on a hight racer.(bacchetta) i have one eye on the mirror all the time and pretty comfortable on the road( two rear-facing white strobes also). I never ride a trike on the road... to low for me
> What about acid reflux in that position?
A recumbent is very GERD-friendly since it opens up the abdominal area instead of compressing the organs.
LOUD MUSIC WARNING at 2:11
As a long time recumbent rider I don't recommend starting two wheel recumbent like shown on this video, try start on a uphill - it's imposible that way . Just sit/lay down and start.
I think recumbents are slower up hill due to the extra weight and wind resistance has less effect at low speed but on average they are quicker. Safety due to low visibility due to the reduced size of frontal area and height compared to other vehicles is a concern for me. Also bright cyclist clothing cannot be seen from the rear. I still plan to get one though!
This whole deal about visibility by cars is a myth. I ride my Bacchetta Giro A 20 and I sit higher on it than when I sit in my Jetta. I have no problem seeing or being seen. If visibility is what is required to be seen and avoided how do you explain any car accident with another car? Certainly they are big enough to be seen.
Don't forget: If you hit something on a recumbent, it will be feet first. If you hit something on a conventional bike, it will be head first. In the event of a truly horrible crash, your quality of life with traumatic leg injuries will be far superior to your quality of life with a traumatic brain injury.
Well I have successfully proved that if you drop your front end of the recumbent into a ditch ,you can do a head plant very easily. Impact crater with my helmet ,headlight and shoulder imprint is in a west Vancouver ditch. I now have a new helmet and fear of high speed corners!! All other accidents have been a fall to the side. Regardless of accident type they all tend to hurt so try to avoid them.
If you take two riders equal weight and both produce 200 watts on a climb, both will reach the top at the same time.
Only slower if the upright cyclist stands up, which is cheating, or at least comparing apples with oranges and in any case is totaly knackering and unpleasant and an admission of failure (oh you poor thing, you cant climb while sitting lol). Im a real man so i always spin the peddles up hills on my road and mtb and so i didnt feel any slower up hills when i got my catrike 700. I was pleasantly suprised how easy hills were on it, definitely aided by not having to worry about being wobbly. I think the myth that recumbents are slow on hills relies on the upright nit picking cyclist standing up...well doh of course your gonna be faster. No shit sherlock. the mountain bike rider is faster than the roadie too on hills if the rider stands up. Nobody points this out. Otherwise, theres not alot of difference, other than the inevitable loss or gain accounted for by any weight difference of any two bikes. You are certainly not putting out less power while in a recumbent position.
You don't start the way pictured. You pick a foot, clip in if you have clips, and give a push. If you are clipped in you might pedal a whole revolution if you get your other foot up late.
Is there such a thing as Recumbant bicycle “Shows” where you can try out all the different kinds? How do you know which one is best for yourself?
Thanks to this, I was able to acquire knowledge about the form of recumbent.
You didn't mention Flevo-bikes, the ones that have a joint in the middle and steer by twisting the bike around its own axis.
Only 5 people in the world can ride them so difficult to review :)
Objection! Re: No neck pain: Riding a recumbent without a headrest is *AGONY* on the neck for someone unused to leaning back with their head unsupported! A headrest will carry shocks straight through to the skull unless very carefully designed. Too soft a cushion and it will be very hot. Too hard and it will be unbearable on today's typically rough roads. A recumbent trike owner very kindly offered me a ride and I had to stop within 50 yards because of the pain in my neck! I had been looking forwards to trying a recumbent trike for many years. No doubt the required muscles can be developed, over time, but it is unfair to suggest that the neck problem does not exist for beginners.
***** In your haste to tell me I am wrong you obviously did not read my comment properly. A fellow tricyclist kindly leant me his recumbent tadpole trike. He was expecting me to be gone for some time. But I was back within a minute because my unsupported neck was literally in agony from leaning my head back. I was hugely disappointed because I had always wanted to try a modern recumbent after building my own LWB back in the 1980s. I have always loved the idea of recumbents and still consider buying one occasionally provided it has a headrest. Is that enough information for you?
Glancing down at all the YT video thumbnails of recumbent videos I see all the riders are bending their necks to bring their heads perfectly upright. Racing upright cycles and particularly triathlon/TT machines forces the rider to support the entire weight of their head and often a helmet too. Perhaps the human neck muscles are better able to cope with such loads than the "flip-top head" style demanded by recumbents? Or, more simply, both types of machine will [eventually] improve the rider's neck muscle strength to cope with the loads applied. Do not automatically leap to the defence of recumbent cycles because you dislike any criticism of the type. The recumbent ought to be the machine of choice for distance touring. Simply because of the greater comfort offered compared with any bicycle saddle. While I still prefer to enjoy the view over the hedge. Rather than being at eye level with the 7 axles of an intercontinental HGV in the wet or on dusty roads!
4.bp.blogspot.com/_6k-wLqmhRSk/SnhN0GY9WDI/AAAAAAAACjg/b8oFVGhrfQE/s400/free+017.jpg
My self-built 1980s LWB used for commuting to work. Now stop behaving like an immature troll.
I was not referring to my own LWB needing a headrest but to the real road scrapers like the Windcheetah. Which was, probably, well before your time as a recent convert to the exhaust tailpipe viewpoint. Man was never designed to travel on his back. It is the repose of sleep.
+JDH Microscopy I would argue that leaning forwards is much nearer to a human running. While lying down is much nearer to sleeping. Cycling is much faster than running or walking and gives the rider a range which runners and walkers can only dream about. Cycling is similar to, but faster than riding a horse and humans have been doing that for probably hundreds of thousands of years. Each to their own form of transport. There is no right or wrong way for humans to get about under their own power on our planet. Only foolishly fixed opinions on how others should do it. ;-)
Rocket Lawnchair. Another advantage is that dogs do NOT bark at you. (They are laughing in Dog.)
Number one question I hear is "How fast can I go?" Not sure why there is so much emphasis on extreme comfort. Maybe my crowd is different.
I have an M5: Short wheel base, under seat stearing ;)
You forgot to say you need a rear view mirror to see what's behind you not easy to turn your head and see behind
Thanks for the great vid
More questions
how do you narrow down the different types?
I'm afraid I'll be hard to see that low to the ground
i need to know what type of riding you will be doing?
I almost never do a push-off on my recumbent bikes. I just start pedaling like a normal bicycle. As for are they fast, "Hell Yes!"
And one reason to ride a recumbent is because they are cool looking. I have had to pay for my friends who ride wedgies because I get the attention when on rides. Kids yell "Cool Bike" all the time when I am out riding.
+scrunge13 same
may i know your type of bicycle? if interested: mine is a challenge focus with under-seat steering
+scrunge13 There are many wedgies who just try to ignore recumbents riders on the road, I can understand them, probably they may have spent thousand and thousand of £££ on their DFs bike, yet people on the road look at my bent... Priceless!!!
There a lots of recumbent vids, none of which touch the matter of hill climbing. Please tell me about pedalling uphill. We have some steep climbs in the UK. Our roads go straight over, not easy grade hairpins. Preferably some demonstration Vids too. On both 2 and 3 wheel recumbents.
BTRflorida. Many thanks. That educative insight.
Great information. In your next video, please do not make the volume for the narrator so low that we have to raise the volume of our speakers, then abruptly add music at normal levels which causes someone in the next room to get woke up from their sleep.
speed has a lot to do with the gearing, my recumbent has a 21 speed shifter rear 10 tooth front 54 teeth,whice makes it able to go faster some racers have 65 teeth up front an 9 teeth in back ,going down hill at 75 miles an hour. whiceever its is comfy
Thanks i was going to buy a combo street Mountain bike you sold me on a recumb looks like ablast.
i love my trike alot
I'm a young guy of 21 years and it rids prostate pressure? that should be a mans top priority Gime one.
it sure will
this looks like just the thing for me, being disabled and not able to work for almost 20 years sucks, i have no bike cant get on one without falling off. so i need something that gives me good exercise but keeps me safe i like the reclined position no back pain no neck pain easy to get on and off and stop and go. what bout hill climbing we got some hills in this town not many we live in a river valley so only one hill to go up. small town minnesota cold winters lots of snow long winters too. but in these next 5 months i want to ride a bike i won't fall off of. what sort of issues can you run into with them. i woudlnt' want it stolen if i took it to the store to get a few thigns rather then drive and waste gas in a small town it just makes more sense to find cheaper transportation then driving a few miles to the store . 3 mile round trip.
So, hey, did you get one? I am disabled, too, and I have a really bad neck. I cannot ride a regular bike. Yesterday I test rode a recumbent trike and I was comfortable right away. I am 62 and I sure miss riding a bike. On the recumbent, I can sit up pretty straight, and a neck support can be purchased if I find that I need it. I loved it so much my husband bought it for me. I get it next week and I am so excited to start riding again!!
Living on potatoes
One downside I can think of - the rider position is low, so he is less visibale to other road users, and doesn't have good visibility in traffic. In Russia motorists don't pay any attention to cyclists, and beeing able to look far, or over the cars is essential. Although after having watched this video, I can say that recumbents would exel at long duration out of city riding.
+Андрей Калинкин There is the misconception that being low they are difficult to be seen. Would you then say that you can not see a child crossing the road because he is "low"? They really excel for very long distance cycling out of the traffic
+Hpv Speedmachine my understanding is the reason recumbents often have flags attached on a pole is because they are less easy to see. I would agree with it. It goes together with the frontal area being smaller, I guess. Also especially when there are other road users, smaller vehicles seem harder to notice. In general bicycles and motorbikes are less visible to car drivers. That's why they often have their lights on. Recently a guy on a trike was run over by a truck from behind (TH-cam - JaYoe) It would certainly be great to find a way to make recumbents more visible especially from the rear.
I drive a VW Jetta and I sit lower in that than my Bacchetta recumbent. So can I be seen? Go look at a wrecking yard for cars and trucks and ask yourself what is the most common excuse for an accident ? " I didn't see the other car " . We as cyclists have to be aware all the time that regardless of how many flags , lights or bright colored clothing choices we have , we are vulnerable to not being seen by car and truck drivers.
Actually, I feel safer on my bent. With the mirrors, I can see cars easier, well before they see me and can track their movements. And when they do see me, I always get more room. They must think I'm handicapped or something.
Music needs to be at the same volume as speaking , I have never seen any bent person do a running start on any bent? You need to push off one good stroke of the pedal to get moving and has been stated try your running start up a hill, won't work. Where is the less common clwb as in Bacchetta Cafe?
In reply to Tricyclist when trying any bent or bike proper setup is mandatory , not just jumping on and assuming all bents are the way you found that particular one to be.
Bad choice of music and volume. It dominated the voice over.
Nice intro Ken. But the video stops at 3:00 but keeps going to 5:19. Are we missing something?
?? let me look at it
nothing was really said. Balance on delta or tadpole, which is more balanced on turns, which would suit a paraplegic, the list goes on etc...
The title is really a joke. I agree the list goes on and on and on. This did not answer 5% of the "things you want to know".
Bigger and more flags so cars don't run u down
How to start? I have never seen any recumbent people I ride with take a running start to get going. You just sit down get one foot on the pedal and go. Try a running start going uphill? Hah not going to work is it.
AGREED, I also have never seen anyone take a running start
How to start is right. If you try a start like that on a bent you will more then likely eat the pavement.
Yeah. One foot on a pedal and push.
You omitted short-wheel-base, under-seat steering, like my ActionBent USS. And mentioned nothing about dismounting.
Great vid. Thanks NZ
great video!
can it go uphill?
Much less safe, difficult to steer and handle plus harder for cars to see. Also much slower on uphills because of weight and position, and that weight plus length makes them harder to carry around. -but you would have a garage and a house since they are incredibly expensive. Faster on flats and more comfortable are the only advantages.
+Ben Braceletspurple Much less safe? Totally wrong, I feel much safer riding my recumbent. On a road bike I feel ignored, on a bent everybody (including animals ;))) look at me
Harder to carry around? how many times did you take your bike on a bus, train? Much slower up hill? True, however, because the are faster and far much more comfortable on the flat they are a total enjoyment to ride. I believe the people here criticizing recumbent and giving negative comments have never ridden one in their lifetime . Probably it is the envy factor, I own a road bike, a mountain bike, of course If I have to go on the mountains I choose the MTB but on the flat the bent is the winner! If you don't ride bents please don't even comment, there are thousands of YT videos that can open your mind
+Hpv Speedmachine I've ridden them, obviously in a matter of opinion if you like one then you will buy it and own it, I'd someone gave a recumbent to me I'd ride it, but it depends where you live man. statistically, recumbents get hit more often, can't argue with hospital data. But I was loaned one by someone who broke their back and had to ride it, and I couldn't do the same fun things I could on a normal bike, and I just didn't enjoy it. however squashing myths with inaccurate data is like saying sharks don't bite because humans taste bad to them. (granted sharks do bite, and it is a good analogy since shark bites are indeed rare.)
And, I live in an apartment, so when I say tough to carry, I'm referring to the fact I have to maneuver up and down a few flights of stairs every single ride. Much heavier, price weight relationship is ridiculous, a 10k road bike is at most half the weight of a 10k long-wheelbase recumbent, and you would need a low-to-ground long one to compete with an aero road bike in aerodynamics on flats since most tt/aero upright bikes average 30-40 mph, and then turn around and go lightning quick uphill and around tight bends.
It is also true that you need to adapt to the bent and you cannot get the most out of it just riding few hundreds meters. With mine I needed months to build the right muscles but now it is all natural. After years, I tried again my old road bike and the feeling was like being on a perch, much more vulnerable to fall and hit the ground with the head first... I would like to know data saying that statistically bent are hit more often that DF bikes. Can you let me know where it says so because i could be wrong...
For how many exist vs normal bikes, they are hit much more often it's common knowledge use thy internet, don't be lazy and make me bring up the first fucking result myself and laugh at your ignorance and my own naivety of obeying your "prove it" command.
What about handling? You can't get the same effect of standing up to absorb bumps or throw your bodyweight around to corner hard or unweight the front or rear wheels. If I hit a big bump or go off the path, am I fucked?
+Willy Goat The trikes will handle very well, they're stable at any speed.
A mesh seat is good for absorbing bumps plus the shock is spread over more body area than a bike saddle. Some trikes also have suspension.
You can body-lean on a trike on hard corners, just lean from the waist.
+Willy Goat some 2 wheel bikes actually very nice, but most of the time these are the high-riders.
One downside i found. They are pretty expensive
Gotta be patient and pick up a used one. Got my Vision R40 for $400 which was a decent price. I love it.
So are decent quality conventional bikes
I have a pile of used bicycles and i'm a welder/fabricator. I've been taking tons of pics of that new Catrike Dumont and intend to build a copy of it this weekend. We'll see how it goes. I like that it folds and the front suspension is nifty.
Can it climb hills ?
really nice, i have a challenge fujin love it
I have an M5 from 1991. A highrider. Still, the low center of gravity lets me take sharper turns. Today I heard a woman say the opposite in a video. Ignorance is a curse.
i went around a turn last weekend 29mph.. peeed my self! could have touch grass along trail
Yes, I recognize that from 1991 when I got my M5 :D Now, well I'm kind of used to it ;)
1:22 What kind of visor is that?
Having C.O.P.D I would like to know if it requires less effort to pedal a recumbent trike?
Gary Barker they are good because you can go as slow as you want and they don't tip over. so climbing hills at a crawl can be done. That being said they are heavier so they still take effort to get going. Overall I definitely prefer a recumbent tadpole trike due to their comfort, not to mention they are fun. I always compare them to riding a lawn chair around. Hope it helps.
Definitely easier to get around on a trike because you can just stop if you tire. I started using one cause my balance has gone funny and heart failure but I was delighted to discover the joy of cycling even on days when I can barely walk. I don't know why I can still do it but I can. The day I tried it first I was in ecstasy because I thought I had lost my independence. I haven't really used it much on road but I was a bit concerned traffic wouldn't see me with so many parked cars everywhere.
1:38 does look comfy!
i really think trikes are the vary best catrikes are no 1
None of the Catrikes I tried fit my needs and they are number 6 around here. With that said, they are good solid trikes with high quality components.
What is the price for India?
Uh, you missed the cost it is to get one...
Recumbent trikes are not cheap...specially the good ones.
how much knee pain? as compare to road bikes?
***** nice to know i have a beach cruiser with the pedals forward that i ride to avoid knee pain. bikes (recumb) look cool so i was just curious
"no neck pain"??? Are you kidding me? I tried it once, and neck pain from having to bend my neck forward was absolutely unbearable. I rode the bike for 2 hours and felt the pain for 3 days.
Overall I didn't like it. Felt like I wasn't in control of the bike, didn't feel confident swerving around obstacles and because of how low I was sitting, I had no good view around me, which is essential for safety.
Maybe it's good for a lazy Sunday ride on a good path somewhere out of town (if you have a headrest or more upright position), but definitely not for everyday commute in the city or sports riding.
Oh, and I also found out you really need a flat road. Running over curbs is a no-no. This makes this bike kind of useless for daily use for me.
MasterBata yup reverse trikes with suspension are ok,voting to deal with curbs and red lights and pedestrian crossings uprights are better but I'll take a recumbent 9times out of ten for a long road trip 100 miles a day,are much easier on a recumbent.
You can ajust the angle of the seat and try a headrest. That will take care of the pain problem.
Headrest.
I know that my parents won't let me buy one because they aren't normal bikes over 18 btw
The only problem is that it's looks goofy to ride one
People look like pussies driving a Prius too, but it hasn't slowed down the sales any!
Eu então meu camarada eu gostei muito é isso aí manda mais notificação para que eu posso ver seus vídeos mais entendeu eu sou a ex daqui de Vitória espírito santo
You asked if you missed anything. The cool factor.
Like all things cool they start out not cheap but like all things desirable there is the eventual factor. The recumbent is still in that mode where there are not that many yet and even the ones in higher production have not reached the mass market level yet. Just wait a few years and they will. When Chinese knock-offs start hitting Wal-Mart they will come in about the $500 to $800 mark but even there they will slide to the $300 mass sales mark but for now they remain in the cool ride category and those of us who are dedicated to them will pay that premium dollar for them. To take this case in point you can go to E-Bay right now and find a Chinese knock-off recumbent trike that is a bit overweight (44 lbs.) for $1200 US.
@Semper Fi The word alone makes me retch.
Recumbent is a bad position to be in to deal with an attacking dog face to face, good luck if you do.
Why does my butt and, foot go numb?
Why is it hard to climb up hill🤔
Will I get run over because I'm below eye level ?
Been in recumbents since 1995. Buttocks and foot go numb mainly happens in swb when cranks are higher than the seat. Simple reflexology on little finger relieves numbness.
Climb uphills' harder on chromolly steel, aluminum, titanium, scandium and lack of technique.
Scan the maps where you are heading avoid congested cities like Beach Boulevard near Disneyland, mount a flag, mount red blinking light on ur helmet and mount COB light in front of ur helmet as well.
Where can i get a good trike for less than 600$
craigslist on a lucky day. I've seen a Rover for $400, you just have to keep searching.
one small negative, can not load on a bus bike rack...
+SolarizeYourLife my recumbent CAN be loaded on any biycle rack actually. (Challenge Focus)
They also make folding recumbents that zip up into a carry bag. e.g. Terratrike Traveler fits in a Toyota trunk or back seat....
more needed
I need to know more
You may check atomiczombie dot com for various plans on recumbents that fits your wallet. So far Easy Racers has the most comfortable seat of all my years of experimenting in 1995. Swapping, trade-in up to 8+ plus recumbents so far.
Anyone know the name of the bike at 1:45 ?
Looks like the Easy Racers Tour Easy Classic: www.easyracers.com/toureasyclassic.html
they are faster and easier to pedal, so you don't need to load it on a bus rack, just ride the bent and you will be there in no time!
Faster??? Oh Myth... I average about 2 mph slower on my bent compared to my road bike
мне муж подарил . посмотрите мои первые шаги. управлять легко. Я очень довольна
Town use is very difficult. Sorry
randy
based on your yes and no chart, you know nothing about delta trike handcycles. that's ok, it takes a real man or woman to handcycle.
>_> jesus... those silly start up looks hiedous, especially 2 wheels model
3 is fine though, its look cool but 2 ..... jesus I better go with out of saddle traditional bike style!
Your starts are the wrong way to do it. I have never seen anyone start that way. Must be a newbie
+Roywuzhere Most recumbent riders in my area, including myself, start by releasing the front brake while pushing the upper pedal. So just before starting, block the front brake, click in your favorite foot and (if it's the right foot) turn the crank to 11 o'clock position.
The music ruined it.
The music "must" always be louder. It's just the way everyone does it.
@ymxctrails Hot Heat - Topher Mohr and Alex Elena
looking like a doofus is fun, I guess.
It is FUN, my friend. With my Fat Trike I go into the forest, jump over fallen trees and take it into the city. And climb a curb. The velomobile is my speedmachine, check out on YT the word: "Oliebollentocht".
Well submitting to peer pressure and not riding something because you may look funny is a bit immature. I do not conform to upright bike riders and have no problem with them even when they look the other way when passing . It is kind of humorous to be shunned by roadies.
its just familiarity. If recumbents were the norm, upright cyclists would get everyones attention. And im sure everyone stopped and gorped at the first car, or jogger, or whatever. If its not hurting anyone (or the environment) and it gives people a smile and makes dogs bark, its all good. In any case, looking different can have its plus points if you want to get car drivers to become consious of your existence and not run into the back of you. My recumbent trike puts me in stealth mode too. People think im a charming and good natured english excentric, when in fact im actually evil, and using it to deliver hard drugs and stolen goods around my estate lol.
They forgot the most important thing about riding a recumbent. You look gay riding one.
don't know about that, but at lease we don't have to use butt butter
Touche~
Great. Maybe I'll finally get some ass
Why do recumbent riders like to to play chicken on trails? Recumbent riders are rude and need to respect others.