The $18 recumbent

[Zen]

http://www.instructables.com/id/Front_Wheel_Drive_Center_Steer_Semi_Recumbent_Bicy/

[OakLeaf]

Cute, until you try to take your knees around a corner... :eek:

[annielynn]

What a smart guy!

[Zen]

Admittedly, I only looked at the photo. But according to the creator,

"With two donor bikes and some other junk, any tinkerer can build a front-wheel-drive, center-steer, semi-recumbent bicycle. (FWD/CS/SR bike for short.) No welding or brazing required! No special tools required! No power tools required (but they can help)."
He also says it's very comfortable.

There must be duct tape involved.

[annielynn]

Duct tape has to be on there somewhere and IMO it didn't look THAT comfy to me. ;)

[lunacycles]

pretty cool!

[OakLeaf]

:confused: Am I the only one who doesn't think it's a good idea for your legs to have to turn with the front wheel (bend laterally at the knee, potentially have a foot come off the pedal, potentially get a foot stuck through the spokes)?

[Yelsel]

He wasn't the first to think of it; looks like there were plenty of previous examples. From the comment in the $18 recumbent link, perhaps the issue is keeping it straight (each pedal depression turning the wheel) rather than turning?

If you follow links back though, Mother Earth News has plans for a standard rear-wheel recumbent build for $65 -- Cut Rate Recumbent Bike (http://www.motherearthnews.com/Do-It-Yourself/1983-05-01/Mothers-Cut-Rate-Recumbent-Bike.aspx). I think that extra $47 is well-spent. :)

[Fredwina]

I know a couple of folks who have Cruzbikes (http://www.cruzbike.com/content/world-cruzbike-12-hour-recumbent-record-holder)
http://www.cruzbike.com/Saratoga2035asmall.jpg
Basically, more commercial version (about $3000 us :eek:)
Steering takes a while to get used to. I 've heard the learning curve described as "short, but steep". You use your hips to pivot instead of you knees.
You can ride no handed with no problems.
I've thought about getting one one of their conversion kits and mating it with a y-frame bike to see if I can get the riding thing down

[lunacycles]

Am I the only one who doesn't think it's a good idea for your legs to have to turn with the front wheel (bend laterally at the knee, potentially have a foot come off the pedal, potentially get a foot stuck through the spokes)?

doooood, eighteen bucks!

[Zen]

:confused: Am I the only one who doesn't think it's a good idea for your legs to have to turn with the front wheel (bend laterally at the knee, potentially have a foot come off the pedal, potentially get a foot stuck through the spokes)?

Picky, picky ;)

[Fredwina]

:confused: Am I the only one who doesn't think it's a good idea for your legs to have to turn with the front wheel (bend laterally at the knee, potentially have a foot come off the pedal, potentially get a foot stuck through the spokes)?

Duuuuuuuuuuuuude(tte),
Us recumbent folks have stumbled up this amazing device.
http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:lDB2KHLIVCrF-M:http://www.wheelbase.co.uk/shop/images/products/890.jpg;);););););)

[OakLeaf]

doooood, eighteen bucks!

Picky, picky ;)

:D;)



Us recumbent folks have stumbled up this amazing device.

What, those have a telescoping articulated axle? Who knew? :p

[sundial]

Am I the only one who doesn't think it's a good idea for your legs to have to turn with the front wheel (bend laterally at the knee, potentially have a foot come off the pedal, potentially get a foot stuck through the spokes)?

You say it like it's a bad thing. ;)