MomOnBike
08-31-2004, 09:08 AM
Do not get a recumbent unless you
are at least a little bit of an exibitionist. I just spent a weekend on my new EZ Sport and boy, did it get noticed.
10 YO boys shout "Cool Bike" at me (reply "Yeah!" or a big grin.), elderly gentlemen examine it closely in front of the ice-cream store, then walk in smiling, and heads just generally turn.
I could get used to this. :D
OK, the bike itself:
William is a Long Wheel Base Over Seat Steer recumbent. It has a fairing/windscreen on it so boy, does it have Presence. Think chopper motorcycle and you pretty much have the set-up, except the engine is much quieter.
I'm not a racer or a mountain biker (note: no disrespect intended, they just don't float my boat. I like to read about them, though.), I really want to go on long tours. As much as I love my upright, the very thought of long tours on it made my hands hurt. I was afraid of doing major nerve damage in my wrists.
My hands don't hurt on William! Not even a little bit! No tingling fingers, nothing. Nor do any other parts hurt - excepting some muscular soreness that feels kinda good in a getting-in-shape sort of way.
I had been told that 'bents are slow on hills. Um, maybe so, but I'm slow on hills whatever I ride and haven't noticed being any slower - not that anyone could tell...:rolleyes:
On the other hand, flats and downhills are MUCH faster.
Handling is ... different. My upright handles like a well-trained Quarter Horse. William handles like a '64 Cadillac. Not bad, just not at all the same. I'm not real good yet, but my problems will yield to practice (I'm willing!)
Bottom line. I'm in love. I can Go Places on this Bike. Katy Trail, here we come!
are at least a little bit of an exibitionist. I just spent a weekend on my new EZ Sport and boy, did it get noticed.
10 YO boys shout "Cool Bike" at me (reply "Yeah!" or a big grin.), elderly gentlemen examine it closely in front of the ice-cream store, then walk in smiling, and heads just generally turn.
I could get used to this. :D
OK, the bike itself:
William is a Long Wheel Base Over Seat Steer recumbent. It has a fairing/windscreen on it so boy, does it have Presence. Think chopper motorcycle and you pretty much have the set-up, except the engine is much quieter.
I'm not a racer or a mountain biker (note: no disrespect intended, they just don't float my boat. I like to read about them, though.), I really want to go on long tours. As much as I love my upright, the very thought of long tours on it made my hands hurt. I was afraid of doing major nerve damage in my wrists.
My hands don't hurt on William! Not even a little bit! No tingling fingers, nothing. Nor do any other parts hurt - excepting some muscular soreness that feels kinda good in a getting-in-shape sort of way.
I had been told that 'bents are slow on hills. Um, maybe so, but I'm slow on hills whatever I ride and haven't noticed being any slower - not that anyone could tell...:rolleyes:
On the other hand, flats and downhills are MUCH faster.
Handling is ... different. My upright handles like a well-trained Quarter Horse. William handles like a '64 Cadillac. Not bad, just not at all the same. I'm not real good yet, but my problems will yield to practice (I'm willing!)
Bottom line. I'm in love. I can Go Places on this Bike. Katy Trail, here we come!