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What is a Recumbent bicycle?
The word recumbent refers to the seated position; many enthusiasts
have also taken to calling them 'bents'. They usually have two
wheels although some have three. They are most often powered by
pedaling with your legs, but some bents are hand powered, some are
both hand and foot powered.
Are they comfortable?
They are very comfortable. Recumbents seats are larger and you
actually sit in the seat. You aren't perched on top of a narrow
saddle which can tend to cause numbness and chafing. The handlebars
are either above the seat at shoulder level, or below the seat at a
position where your arms hang down naturally. This combination
creates a comfortable ride making long distance riding free from
neck strain, saddle sores, and wrist pain.
Are they difficult to ride?
No. It may take you a little time to get used to the feel and
handling of the bike. There are variations in handling just as there
are in uprights- some are fast, twitchy racing models and others are
smooth, stable touring models. Be forewarned though, recumbents use
different muscles, so even if you are a very fit upright rider, you
will experience difficulty climbing hills until you develop the new
muscle groups.
Can they "do" hills?
Yes, they do "do" hills. Some people think that because you can't
stand on the pedals, that you can't ride up hills. Recumbents do
tend to be slower going up hills, but as long as you keep pedaling
the bike keeps moving. Depending on how steep a hill you're
climbing, you may want a low granny gear ( and a good set of lungs),
which will enable you to spin your way to the top. Usually you can
keep up with some of the upright riders, and if any time was lost
climbing, you will make up for it on the downhills and flat ground.
Are they faster?
Well, this is very controversial. In the IHPVA sanctioned events,
all the land speed records are held by recumbent or semi-recumbent
designs. The real question you are asking is, will you be faster on
a recumbent?
The answer is, "maybe". There are so many factors involved; how long
you've been riding, how long you've trained on the recumbent, style
and weight of the bike, topography - hilly, mountainous, flat.
Since the biggest factor limiting speed is aerodynamic drag, if you
want to go really fast, use a recumbent with a well-designed fairing
or a full body. In this case, the answer is YES, they are faster.
Are recumbents hard to see?
Since recumbents are relatively uncommon, they are "noticed";
"visible" is another question. You do sit lower than on a
traditional diamond frame bike. Depending on which recumbent you
own, you may want to make yourself a little more visible. You can do
that by adding a flag to your bike on an extended rod (Burley
style), and also by wearing a bright helmet or jacket/vest. To be
fair to car drivers, whose attention and concentration are on
everything except their driving, I would recommend doing something
to get their attention especially if you're riding on heavily used
roads.
How do you steer it?
Generally, recumbents have either 'above seat steering' (ASS), or
'under seat steering' (USS). On the above seat steering bents, the
handlebars are located at about shoulder height giving them the
"chopper" look. On the under seat steering bikes, they are located
just beneath the seat. If you are sitting on a chair right now, let
your hands hang loosely at your side; this is where your handlebars
would be.
Above seat steering looks more conventional and is therefore
sometimes favored by beginners; but USS bents are really no more
difficult to control.
Have recumbents been around a while or are they a recent invention?
Recumbents have been around since the mid 1800's with the Macmillan
Velocipede and the Challand Recumbent.
In 1933 Charles Mochet built a supine recumbent named the "Velocar".
Between the years of 1933 and 1938 pro racer Francois Faure, while
riding the Velocar, set several speed records for both the mile and
kilometer. In Paris on July 7, 1933, Francis Faure broke the 20
year-old hour record of 44.247 km. by going 45.055 km.
Unfortunately Faure's hour record created a controversy amongst the
Union Cycliste Internationale (U.C.I.), the governing body for
bicycle races. The controversy was based on whether the Velocar was
a bicycle and whether the time records were legal. In February 1934,
the U.C.I. decided against Faure's record and banned all recumbents
and aerodynamic devices from racing.
That is the reason why recumbents have not gained popularity in the
racing scene, and why they have not been mass produced by bike
manufacturers. For over a century since the introduction of the
Rover Safety Cycle, built in England in 1884, the design of the
basic diamond frame bicycle has hardly changed.
What are the different styles of recumbents?
The most noticable difference between the different styles is the
length of the bike. There are long wheel base (lwb), short wheel
base (swb), and compact long wheel base bikes (clwb).
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A long wheelbase bike (LWB) is
65" - 71". Their ride is quite smooth, comfortable, fast and
stable but due to their length, low speed maneuverability can be
a bit tricky on busy streets or on narrow paths. |
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A short wheelbase bike (SWB) is 33" - 45". Their front wheel is
underneath or a little ahead of the riders knees, with the crankset
mounted on a boom. They have quick handling, are easy to maneuver,
and they are more compact, making it easier to transport and stow
than a lwb. |
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A compact long wheelbase bike (CLWB) is 46" - 64". These bikes are
the easiest bikes to learn on. They are responsive, very stable, and
with a higher seat- they are more visible, making great commuters. |
I'm still slow! How long does it take before I'm up to speed?
Since it takes time to develop new leg muscles it will depend on how
often and the amount of time you spend on your trusty steed. For me,
it took about two weeks commuting on it 20 miles a day. For others
it may take up to a month or it may take less than two weeks. It all
depends on your physical fitness and the how hard you choose to
ride. By all means... don't give up !!
Why are they more expensive?
Recumbents can go as high as you want to pay. Because of their low
production volumes, a recumbent tends to be more expensive than a
mass-produced upright bike. So when comparing prices, bear in mind
you're buying a custom or very low production bike. Expect to pay
more for a high quality bike. This price range will give you very
good components, a good frame and less weight.
Learn More: FAQ / Tips &
Tricks / Bent Terms |
