Should I buy a bent?

[James]

I know that is a question that I have to answer myself, but I am intrigued and find myself wanting one every time I read an article (such as might be found in Adventure Cyclist) about recumbents.  I have several road bikes, a tandem and a mountain bike, and I love riding all of them, but wonder about the advantages and also disadvantages of a bent. I live in Boise and do not see very many here so don't have the opportunity to talk with owners.  I saw only two on my TransAm tour and both riders said they were more work in the hills, are there other disadvantages?  I like the idea of a bike I can do long rides on in relative comfort, but they seem expensive and I would like some idea of what to expect before I make the plunge.

[Dan_E_Boye]

OK, so they're work on hills.  That's the only downside I can think of.  I know my butt is so much happier.  My neck is so much happier.  My hands are so much happier.  I don't have to wear special shorts.  I can enjoy the scenery all the time while I ride.

I just thought of another downside.  My LWB will not fit in my car.  Shipping is costly due to the size.  Both can be overcome with a SWB.  I used to have a Rans Rocket that fit in the car.

One other caveat is that you can't see behind you so a mirror is not optional.  It is necessary.

I like my recumbent.  I still ride a wedgie for around town sometimes, but if I expect to be on the road more than an hour I want my 'bent.  Even the psychology of it is fun.  I'm just breezin' down the road.  I did the Trans Am on a Burley Canto pulling a Nomad.

If you get one you need to give it some time to get the feel of it.  The steering seems overly responsive until you get used to it.  They're hard to keep straight until you have some time in the saddle.  SWBs are worse than LWBs.  A test ride or two is really not adequate to let you know how it will feel.  In the beginning you're paying full attention to how weird it is.  It's too bad you can't rent one for about a week.

[nbh0716]

They are harder on hills.  Sometimes I have numbness in the feet, but that happens on my upright too.  Besides being comfortable, recumbents are just plain fun to ride.  Mine is homebuilt, it's heavy.  I'm going to buy a Bacchetta by the years end.  Find a recumbent specific bike shop and take a test ride.

[ptaylor]

Good question James. This is a popular subject on this forum. I suggest you use the little 'search' button in the upper right corner of this window. Search on 'recumbent' for the past 365 days to get a lot of opinions.

Paul

[bogiesan]

The answer is yes, yes, and ever yes.
You can test ride my Tour Easy, 27,000 miles in five years.

See bentinboise at yahoo groups. IOr ask around at World Cycle. They
no longer sell Rans bikes but they service several bents in the valley
including mine. Talk to me, boy.

david boise ID


go, ristretto, FCP/AE
"Read the manual."

[Cupocoffee]

I can't add much to the comments that have already been made except for this ... if you are anti-social .. do not get a recumbent. People will come out of the woodwork to ask you what that thing is. I rode the TransAm from west to east this year and there wasn't a single day that someone didn't stop to talk to me. I actually had three people ask me where the motor was. I told them the motor is sixty years old. I love my Rans Stratus XL. My bike and trailer were 120 pounds and other cyclists thought I was crazy but I took all my toys and once I rode for a few hundred miles I never noticed all the weight. Oh yeah, they will work you out on the mountains but you just have to take it nice and slow. I put a fourth chainring on mine with 18 teeth and I could climb a wall if I had to. They are incredible fun just because you aren't hurting all over and you have a great view. Check out my web site at www.grandpalosthismind.com .