'bent' bikes

[Roadtrip]

I volunteered to help a friend in her search for a bike. She, like me, never learned to ride as a kid and we formed a sort of bond through this shared experience. She's been asking me for advice and she really wanted to learn to ride and knew from my experiences it WAS possible. She has an incredible fear of falling and getting hurt and a possible balance issue... She's said that often when she swims she will loose her orientation and want rotate over too far when taking the next stroke... Tho she does not seem to suffer during daily activities she was concerned.... The experience with swimming was enough to concern her going in.

Long story short, she has been looking at stabilizers to install a potential new bike, and I suggested that she at least look at recumbent trikes and see how the ride suited her. We visited a LBS today that sells Catrike, Terra Trike, ICE, and Greenspan... I couldn't help but try out one and was pleasantly surprised at how fun it was zooming around on the TT Rover 8 speed. She seemed to enjoy the ride, but is limited in how to transport the bike, so the logical solution would be a folding bike. Problem is it's pretty pricy. I knew we have a few bent riders here, so I wanted to ask if anyone had ideas on transporting a Trike. It seems that a Catrike is out of the question as it's the least "collapsable" and the ICE Trike was a hoot to ride, the close to 5k price tag was a shock.

Any other bent riders here?

Shannon

[TsPoet]

Many Greenspeeds fold. All recumbent bikes are pricey.
AFAIK, KMX are the cheapest
http://www.utahtrikes.com/KMX.html
they are also on the heavy side.
I love my Greenspeed X3, it fits inside my MINI (folded) just fine and transports very easily.
It's a bit slower than my 2-wheeled bents.
YOu might want to head on over to BROL (bentrideronline) and check out their trike forum, or post questions..
http://www.bentrideronline.com/messageboard/index.php
you can also find info and reviews of specific trikes on the home site.
http://www.bentrideronline.com/index.php

[TrekTheKaty]

My sister also has balance issues EXCEPT on the bike. It's part of the reason she enjoys riding so much......

[Artista]

When I first saw the title of this thread & the author, I thought OMG, something's wrong with Shannon's new bike:eek: Glad to see that "bent" is simply a brand name of a bike!

[Roadtrip]

When I first saw the title of this thread & the author, I thought OMG, something's wrong with Shannon's new bike:eek: Glad to see that "bent" is simply a brand name of a bike!

LOL. Recum'bent' Bikes.

[Artista]

LOL. Recum'bent' Bikes.

Doh!:D

[hebe]

LOL!

If she's looking at that much money, it might be worth considering hiring or borrowing a bike and booking a session with the bike instructor that you used, perhaps? My balance was always pretty good, except on a bike, where it was nerves that presented the biggest issue. Just an idea.

[Roadtrip]

I did forward my instructors details to her, tho she has not conttacted him, so I've been in more of a supporting role. I wouldn't have suggested "training wheels", but she felt she needed them, so we went through a whole process of trying to find a bike that would fit the wheels instead of fitting her. Alas we have ran that as far as possible and I think she's now convinced the wheels are a no-go.

I'll see where this all leads!

Shannon

Ps. I did offer to sell her my Stella for cheap, but she still wanted to install the wheels on her, which wasn't going to work.

[pinsonp2]

Have you looked at the pedal forward bikes? She might feel more secure if her feet can quickly reach the ground when in the seat. I think Electra make several models, but Giant and Trek also have something similar.

P2

[Roadtrip]

Have you looked at the pedal forward bikes.

Yes, my old bike is a Trek Pure that is pedal forward, thing is she convinced herself that she needed these stbilizers ($40) that won't work on the Pure. Only other option is beefy wheels ($150) that provide all the support instead of just being a safety net of sorts and stick out from the bike quite a ways that would make transporting an issue as well.

Shannon

[TsPoet]

I know there is a prejudice against recumbent bikes/trikes, but don't discount them! They can be faster than DFs, they are much more comfortable, I think they are more fun, they have as many or maybe more options...

This woman (who is amazing) has the women's speed record in a faired bent, and she rode RAAM last year
http://www.barbarabuatois.net/

This woman has ridden her trike, solo, across the country more than once
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/myrtle

the woman who now owns this survived "terminal" cancer, lost much of the muscles in one side of her upper body and much of the lung on the same side, and used recumbent cycling to keep herself going, she habitually rides sebring and STP and...
http://www.coventrycycle.com/

I ride the bent the bikes in my sig, over 1000 miles/yr - I use them to commute, and shop, and most of my vacations are meeting up with other bent riders to have a great time.

[hebe]

I have to admit to not knowing the first thing about 'bents. Would they be a good choice for a beginner over a "normal" bike? Does a trike 'bent steer differently, for example? Apologies if my ignorance came across as dismissal, that was not my intent. I suppose that relative cost was what triggered my initial reaction.

The links are fascinating, thank you.

[Roadtrip]

I have to admit to not knowing the first thing about 'bents. Would they be a good choice for a beginner over a "normal" bike?

The Trikes we rode were "tadpole" design, meaning two wheels in the front, with a single wheel behind the rider. They're stable and rider is close to the ground, so you are not balancing, so ideal for someone unable to ride a traditional bike and they're just a blast to ride. Felt like a little sports go-cart with steering pretty intuitive. Only problem I seemed to have was when I really tried to go fast, I tended to steer when I didn't intend causing a slight swaying from side to side and I'm sure if I rode one, I'd adjust the fit and pedal stroke to eliminate this.

Just wanted her to have all her options... I joined in to have a litle fun. There is a bike rental place near the trail that rents trikes, so it's not like we couldn't rent one when we wanted to ride together.

Shannon

[TsPoet]

I have to admit to not knowing the first thing about 'bents. Would they be a good choice for a beginner over a "normal" bike? Does a trike 'bent steer differently, for example? Apologies if my ignorance came across as dismissal, that was not my intent. I suppose that relative cost was what triggered my initial reaction.

The links are fascinating, thank you.

DF=Diamond Frame, that's generally what a "normal" bike is called to distinguish it from a bent (or upright, but that's not quite as descriptive)
For years of I rode a Trek mt bike with a road set of wheels/tires and an off-road set of wheels. I loved it and was perfectly happy using this one bike for easy off-road rides and commuting to work. Then a 55 yr old friend wanted to buy her first bike in 30+ years to commute to work. I thought I'd help her get a bike and show her the commute ropes. Boy was I shocked when she insisted we drive 2 hr to go to a bike shop with the bike she wanted - a bent, I'd never heard of them. Well, she got her bent, and we started riding into work together. Long story not too long... 6 months later I bought my first bent. Within a month I knew I was never getting on my beloved Trek again and sold it.
There is just something about them.

As far as 'good' for a beginner - they are different. The first time I rode one, i got on and took off - Fun! Then, about 50 ft away was a sign in the trail advertising sandwiches, and I panicked - How do I turn this thing to avoid that sign?!? Down I went. But, down is less of a distance on a bent, LOL.
It takes awhile to figure out.
Then again, I had a neighbor ask to ride one of my bents. She did, got on it, went to the end of the cul-de-sac, did a sharp U-turn and came back. When she did I said "wow, most people can't do that their first time on a bent" and she said "oh, I didn't know that, guess it's a good thing that hadn't occurred to me, or I probably wouldn't have been able to".
I used to ride about 250 miles/yr (at a guess), now I'm obsessed with riding and ride much much more. I really should sell one of my bents, who needs 4 bikes? But, I can't figure out which one to sell.

[Deborajen]

This may sound dumb but I've gotta ask - Are the trikes (the ones where you sit a foot or so off the ground) street legal? Go carts aren't legal to ride on the streets here because they sit so low that drivers can't see them. The trikes look like fun, but I'd be afraid to ride them on the street even if they are legal.

[Fredwina]

yes, they are. at least in CA

[TsPoet]

This may sound dumb but I've gotta ask - Are the trikes (the ones where you sit a foot or so off the ground) street legal? Go carts aren't legal to ride on the streets here because they sit so low that drivers can't see them. The trikes look like fun, but I'd be afraid to ride them on the street even if they are legal.

yes. I do fly a flag on mine. There are long arguments about how effective a flag is, or even if it might be dangerous in and of itself. But, "I didn't see you" is bogus - it's all about what you are used to and what you "see". Ever seen the selective attention video?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJG698U2Mvo

lots of stories and arguments on the topic.
But, when I read the WA state statutes on "bikes" they have a legal height the pedals can be - which makes my trike legal, but my high racer, which is much more similar to a DF bike, illegal.
(my high racer
http://www.bacchettabikes.com/bikes/performance-bikes/corsa )

[MomOnBike]

Just wanted her to have all her options... I joined in to have a litle fun. There is a bike rental place near the trail that rents trikes, so it's not like we couldn't rent one when we wanted to ride together.

I think that's a great idea. 'Bents are not cheap - I know, I know, and so does DH.

The thing is, if you can rent different bikes, 'bent or otherwise, every time you go out, you'll have a pretty good idea what makes your friend smile. Then she can buy a bike she will ride.

The other reason I like that is that at the end of the season many rental places sell the bikes that they have used over the summer. That's how DH got his bike. Yes, it's used, but it will be more affordable, and you already have established a relationship with the rental place. There is a possibility of getting a pretty good deal with a little sweet talk.

[Roadtrip]

Go carts aren't legal to ride on the streets here because they sit so low that drivers can't see them.

I read somewhere that people actually felt safer on a 'bent because people don't often see them so you get noticed as people say what the heck is THAT!

Also found a picture of a bent next to a Smart car and I think the bike was actually longer! I can't locate right now, but if I do, I'll post the link.

Shannon

[MomOnBike]

I've been wanting to put my bike next to a Smart Car just to see if mine is really longer. I haven't had the opportunity yet, but I'm working on it. I really think my wheelbase is longer. I suppose I could cheat and look it up on the web, but that's cheating.

[Kerry1976]

I would totally love to try a Rans CF bike, like a Dynamik or Fusion. Has anyone tried those?

[Fredwina]

I have.
They're not that much different than a "normal" DF. it was fun to ride

[hebe]

DF=Diamond Frame, that's generally what a "normal" bike is called to distinguish it from a bent (or upright, but that's not quite as descriptive)

Thank you, that makes sense.


Also found a picture of a bent next to a Smart car and I think the bike was actually longer! I can't locate right now, but if I do, I'll post the link.

Shannon

That's interesting! Slightly o/t here, but my bike + trailer are amazingly long, if I walk the bike across a junction it takes a whole carriageway from nose to tail (we do have narrow roads here). Which is a pretty strong motivator for being on the road rather than off it.

Has your friend thought about this any further, Shannon?

[luv2climb]

I have a Sun EZ-TAD CX tadpole trike. It is a blast, especially around corners at speed:D Here's a picture of it, parked appropriately (funny how this convenience store has "low emission vehicle" parking, but no bike rack:rolleyes:). Click to enlarge:

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s66/hardmf1/th_mysunez-tadcxparkedappropriately.jpg (http://s149.photobucket.com/albums/s66/hardmf1/?action=view&current=mysunez-tadcxparkedappropriately.jpg)

The towel you see draped over the seat is to cover up the headrest I made for it:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5295/5506953608_f0242607a6.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/29998767@N07/5506953608/)
Homemade headrest on Sun EZ-TAD CX recumbent 2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/29998767@N07/5506953608/) by kittyz202 (http://www.flickr.com/people/29998767@N07/), on Flickr

Here's a sped-up video of me riding around town at night on a Friday night. I have lots of lights, including flashing LED Christmas lights on the tall safety flagpole from top to bottom, so visibility is never an issue:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-MuzISJagE

Daytime video on the MUP:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JR6IJRas424

[carolp]

late to this discussion but I just got a used Terra Trike for $800. I had a bad crash on my df a couple of years ago and I'm still pretty scared to ride it. This seemed like a good solution. Normally I ride tandem with my husband-- we do AIDS Lifecycle on the tandem-- but thought this would get me out on my own. It is quite a workout on the quads and I think my tandem riding will surely benefit. It's a hoot to ride and I think it's going to be a lot of fun. Climbing is super slow, but I'm not racing.

[Fredwina]

Trikes are blast! As far as slow climbing, you don't have to worry about tipping over like you do an two wheeler.