Any of you ever ride a bent???

I currently have a Raleigh SC 40. It is great for hauling the kids around town in a bike trailer.

Unfortunately, I started having lots of pain in my left leg. I kept thinking I was pulling my hamstrings. Around Christmas, it cropped up again and wouldn't go away. It got progressively worse despite laying off my work outs, stretching faithfully, etc. In mid-Feb. I got out of my car one day and couldn't walk. It turned out that I had a herniated disc in my lower back. I also have several damaged discs. I ended up needing surgery for the herniated disc. I'm two weeks out from surgery and feeling very strong. I was able to return to work after only one week and I can walk up to 3 miles at a time now. I am really amazed.

When I go back to the doc next week, I want to discuss getting back on the bike. I am concerned he is not going to be open to it given the fact that I have several damaged discs that are at more risk for herniating:( . Just in case he does say no, I'm starting to explore recumbents. I figure they would take the pressure off the lower back and they look fun. I've heard that they are pigs on hills because you can't stand, but I otherwise have little info. I was just wondering if any of you have ever ridden one. Any info you have on them is greatly appreciated as I'm just starting to explore this notion!

I want back on wheels...SOON! My husband is doing all the local rides right now and I'm jealous:D! Thanks in advance for your help!:)

i don't know anything about recumbents but has your doctor recommended any physical therapy? this is essential to recovering well. check out the thread on "do you go to a chiropractor" and you will find my post explaining why P.T. is important. i have stretching exercises my P.T. gave me. i can send them to you if you want.

I will be in some PT afterwards. I am actually a nurse, so I am pretty well versed in what will recovery will involved. The surgery was an absolute must as the nerve was so impenged that I had no reflexes left in my lower leg. Thanks for the offer of the stretches though. I know he has a pretty rigorous plan ahead for me. My big concern is whether I will be at risk for herniating my already damaged discs if I go back to riding a traditional bike. Damaged discs are always at risk for herniating and there is little you can do other than lose weight and exercise to prevent it. Riding a traditional bike puts LOTS of stress on the back precisely where the damage is located. Interestingly, I have had almost no back pain through all of this... it was all referred down my back and into my leg. I am mostly exploring a bent because I have a sneaking suspicion that he is not going to let me back on a traditional bike for a LONG time if ever.

Have a great day ! Go for a ride for me today! I'm dying because it is PERFECT bike weather here today... calm winds, mid- 60's, and clear, sunny skies... it's killing me!:D

Hi!

I have two recumbents that I bought because I have a herniated L5/S1 disc. One of the bikes is a Rans Stratus and the other a Rans Screamer tandem. I LOVE both bikes. The Stratus is a long wheel base (LWB) bike and is extremely comfortable. I have never had back trouble on this bike. I tried a couple of short wheel base (SWB) bikes which are shorter and better climbers but the pedal position bothered my back. The LWB pedals are in front of you but closer to the ground, the SWB pedals are out in front of you. I also have a Serotta road bike and a Santa Cruz Superlight mountain bike. I love each of my bikes for different reasons but the Stratus is by far the most comfortable and the bike I'd want to be on for a longer ride.

If you have any questions, feel free to email me.

Kenda
kdskaggs@cox.net

My herniation was at L5/S1 as well. I feel FABULOUS since surgery. I saw the doc this week and he says I can be back on my wheels in 2-3 weeks. He said I can most likely ride my SC40 for "social rides around the neighborhood." Unfortunately, a road bike is not likely to be an option nor is any significant distance. I'm just glad I haven't already invested in road bike! I hope to get a bent in the near future, but I'm going to have to save my pennies! I will definately look at the RANS when I get around to it. I'm hoping to use at least part of my summer school pay for it... I just have to convince my husband of this!:D

Thanks again!

Hey now,

I've got both a road bike and a 'bent - a Lightning Phantom. I live in the Santa Cruz mountains area, and...well...there are mountains here. :) I like the Phantom in that because it is a short wheel base recumbent with the crank fairly high up off the ground, it climbs hills surprisingly well. It's almost like doing leg presses to go up a hill. You just push against the seat back.

My husband rides a Lightning P-38 recumbent, which is an even better hill climber. He has never had any problems keeping up with me when I am on my road bike - in fact, I have trouble keeping up with him.

Good luck in your search!

-j

I would really like to find something that I can keep up with my husband on his road bike. His mountain bike is a about 10 years old and not very well fitted, but he has to ride it when I ride the SC40. It works for family rildes around the neighborhood, but that's it. If I can get a bent, I want to do some significant distances with him...perhaps RAGBRAI.

Hill climbing ability is key for me as I live in a pretty hilly area and almost all of the organized rides in the area are hills. I also would like to test ride a tadpole style bent trike. They are pricey but look so fun! I hear that they do quite well on hills and make stops much easier. I'm a little concerned about coming to a stop and flopping over on a two wheeled bent:o ! Unfortunately, this style trike is hard to find in bike shops so the biggest market is over the net. This is unfortunate because it makes test driving almost impossible. WizWheelz sells online and has a money back gaurantee. If I get out there and can't find a bent that I'm comfortable on, I may end up ording one from them. They are very adjustable so they fit a wide range of sizes. Fortunately for me, I am 5'8" so the fact that they are "unisex" (read male) design doesn't hinder me too much. My local bike shop has even offered to try and order one for me, assemble it, and set it up for fairly minimal fees. They may start carrying some before I get in the market for it. The one from Wiz Wheelz beats many others in price by almost $1000 and has had good reviews, so the bike shop is hoping to talk them into letting them sell them. I think WizWheelz does mostly internet sales.

Thanks for the input! As I start testdriving, I will certainly be drawing on your wisdom! Your bike is on my list, too!:cool: I still have some serious sweet talking before my husband is going to go along with the purchase!!!:D

Hey now! Those tadpole trikes look pretty cool - in fact, my husband and I are eyeing the tandem tadpole trike from Greenspeed. We know a couple who has one and love it. If you like, you can read about their adventures here:
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/journ...r=ScottandJodi

Just wanted to add a note about recumbents in general. They definitely use a different set of muscles. It takes a little bit (about a month?) to really get those muscles conditioned such that you're zooming along at your usual road bike speeds. I think my husband has an advantage by riding the recumbent exclusively, while I swap back and forth between the bent and my road bike.

He's been thinking about getting a fairing, so I'm going to get it for him for his birthday - he'll really fly then! :)

I too have had disc surgery. L4/L5 I had a ruptured disk that impinged on nerves for my legs. I also had very little back pain; it was all in my legs. I didn't go to the recumbent because of the back problems or as a result of my surgery. I started riding the recumbent for comfort! I don't know if my wedgie bike didn't fit me right; but I was always uncomfortable after about 25 miles. My hands would go numb, my neck would go into spasm....

I just love my Vision R40. It's a short wheelbase with underseat steering. It took 40-50 miles to be completely comfortable with the handle bars below me. However, it feels very comfortable with my hands below my butt. Tight corners in sand or gravel are a no-no; but everything else is just fine. It is true that you use different muscles with the bent. But it doesn't take long to get used to it. I can ride all day and have no aches and pains!

You do have to be prepared to be the object of stares, questions, and good natured ribbing. If you don't like to talk to people it may not be the bike for you. Face it, you stand out and even still some people have never seen a recumbent.

Your question about hills is very valid. They really are hard to push up a hill. I'm lucky to maintain 8 miles an hour. The funny thing is that my friends all pass me on the way up; but I'm passing them on the way down. Their fat tires (mountain bikes) can't keep up with my skinnies. I keep thinking if I were in better shape though that I could do better going up hill.

Too bad that you don't have places to ride some bents. They are all really different and you need to FIT one......

Good Luck!

Actually, my fave bike shop carries a fair selection of bents... just not tadpole style trikes. They simply don't carry them anywhere around here. I'm trying to talk the shop into carrying a few of them and they seem to be considering it as they have several people expressing interest and they are literally the biggest shop in the Dallas area. The only bent trike they carry is the E3 which is litterally the slowest thing on the road. I saw the E2 out on a trail this weekend and it was a real pig... the E3 is heavier (since it has 3 wheels vs. 2) and it is even slower.

As for the looks and questions... doesn't bother me in the least. I tend to be fairly outgoing and in many ways, I think a bent... especially the tad-pole trikes... fit my personality:p. I love to have fun, hate to take life too seriously, and don't mind doing things my own way:D !

Since I have never been on a road bike, I figure with the right machine, it shouldn't take much practice to go faster than I do now. I have very strong legs and am very good at doing leg presses (I've heard that hills use the same muscles!?!?). My husband is pretty good at distance on his road bike, but I get the impression from him that he doesn't tend to ride terribly fast in road bike terms. I'm sure he will also slow his pace a bit if need be for me to keep up. It is simply not possible for me to keep up with him on the hybrid.

I rode my hybrid this weekend. It was my first time since surgery (only 4 weeks ago) and I was completely pain free :p ! It was only a 7 mile cruise on a paved bike path, but it was like conquering the world for me:D . I was supposed to do 2 weeks on the stationary bike at the gym before getting on the real one, but I felt the gym bikes are so crappy that I was more likely to hurt myself on them than I was on my well fitted bike. It has front fork suspension as well as seat post suspension, so it is smooth. Still... I feel a need for speed:D ! Since a road bike is never going to be a real option, I am totally pinching my pennies because I really want a bent.

Keep your fingers crossed for me. I hope to be on one by the end of the summer!;) Chris

I'm interested in recumbents due to my neck injury, and a Greenspeed trike in particular, as I have not been able to do any exercise whatsoever for the past year due to nasty C5-C6 herniation, so I know that I will be very weak starting up again.

Unfortunately, there are no recumbent dealers within about 5 hours of here, and I won't actually be looking at them until after I have healed from my future surgery. Any info that anyone can provide on the web would be very helpful!

I did not have significant neck pain from this (probably cycling-caused) herniation which delayed my diagnosis for at least 4 years, even though it is causing the rest of my body to go haywire! My main symptoms have been dizziness, numbness of feet, legs, hand, and arms, CHEST pain, and feeling very ill like a combination of flu and altitude sickness, and electrical shock feelings throughout. It has gotten to the point where I cannot even walk up one flight of stairs without eliciting severe symptoms. I am still working, but getting through the working day is about as hard as riding a double century or hiking to the top of Mount Whitney.

I should make a complete recovery since I still have an ocassional good day now and then, and I have been doing better for the past month or so since I found out that it is my neck and have been trying not to move my neck much in any direction.

Wow - I am so sorry to hear that. Hope all goes well with the surgery.

Veronica

no more sore saddle.. no more sore wrists...alot more speed..
i am fairly new to biking in general, but i love it. spent alot of time researching and test-riding - I actually borrowed my boyfriends' custom Rans V2 for my first 380 miles on a bent..and I was able to keep up with him and enjoyed the rides. i test rode a bunch of different kinds- short and long wheel base. I am getting myself an '03 Rans Tailwind- that is my current favorite and what I can afford right now-a good stock bike that I can upgrade and customize. I have ridden a bike-e, lightning phantom, ez racer, wiz wheels, the list goes on, but i can't remember all of them.
i don't think that speed or lack thereof should be a reason not to go bent- there are tons of options and most of them are more comfortable than an upright bike, plus there's an ez-racer's bent on this link that set a land-speed record- http://www.easyracers.com/gold_rush.htm I couldn't believe it at first myself till I actually got some miles in and got pretty fast-of course this being florida- we don't have as many hills as some other places, but still being able to keep pace with other riders who were/are more experienced is a cool feeling. I even got to pass a few on one of our rail-trails. ! =) good luck in your search. i look forward to hearing what you decide to get.
=) Jen

I have been doing way better since I started taking neck-conservative measures and I got an inexpensive recumbent (Sun EZ1-SC-Lite) about 10 days ago so I can try riding again. Unfortunately I have not been able to get surgery. Even though my neurologist and PT both agree that the disc herniation is probably causing my symptoms, I have now had two neurosurgeons tell me that it is impossible that I have the symptoms that I do have, and that I am mentally ill for insisting that I do! They won't even do the further testing that the neurologist wanted to have done! I have pretty well destroyed my neck evidently. My PT says I may have some ligament problems contributing, since I cannot raise my head above horizontal without bringing on symptoms and he tried "passive extension" on my neck which caused me to have myelopathy (spinal cord compression) for 3-1/2 days. The neurosurgeons look at the MRI's which were done flat on my back (of course I don't live my life flat on my back so my PT says that my spinal cord would look way different if they could do an MRI in an upright position) and say that I can't have spinal cord compression (even though the radiologist that read my last MRI says that I do have spinal cord compression!). Next stop will be Mayo Clinic if I can't get any further here.

Anyway I have been trying the recumbent! It is a long wheelbase model, sort of a less-expensive made in Taiwan Easy Racer, designed by the Easy Racer designer. It is sooooo slow in comparison to a regular bike. My climbing takes forever and my granny isn't low enough. But anyway, I am riding again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've done 47 miles so far (would have done more if it wasn't 107 degrees here.) I will hopefully do the local metric half-century in September if all goes well.

I'm doing great on my Sun recumbent after 8 weeks! I will be up to 500 miles tomorrow. I rode the local metric half-century last weekend and that wasn't enough so I continued riding afterwards and did 45 miles! I'm planning on doing a metric century in 3 more weeks. The bike is still slow in comparison to a standard bike; I'm guessing I could go at least 3-4 miles per hour faster for the same effort, but I am riding again! Yay! I've kind of decided that if I can ride a metric century with at least 3000 feet of climbing, that I will spring for a better recumbent. I haven't done much climbing yet on the Sun, though I did do about 750 vertical feet of a 7.8% grade a couple of days ago. Whew, that was hard on a heavy recumbent! I had to rest all day yesterday to recover, and I'm thinking of lowering my gearing now. I can't wait for a lighter bike!

I don't own a road bike but my boyfriend does and he rides a bent that was mentioned here. An easy racer. I have ridden it and those things are fast on the flats and going downhill. I did my first hills on it yesterday and today my butt is seriously sore. His doesn't fit me correctly but I'm sore because of the different muscles used.

They are a long ways from cheap but what a beautiful bike. I can see me on one of those down the road. :)

I hate to be a wet blanket, but I thought I'd share my bent experience.

I got a lovely Easy Racer Tour Easy in May of 2002. I was so excited and had done tons of research in preparing for this purchase. I'd subscribed to RCN (Recumbent Cycling News) and gotten totally into the whole 'bent thing. I'd also been going to the gym regularly for over a year so had a good base of leg presses/extensions and cardio workouts under my belt before I started riding. However, I was 41 and by no means an athlete, and had been off of all bikes for several years.

My 'bent experience was not good. I live in central NC where there are lots of rolling hills, and I was SLOW up those hills. I flew downhill and was pretty fast on the flats as well, but I lost momentum almost immediately on the climbs and suffered all the way to the top.

I went on some newcomer/beginner group rides my bike club put on and could not ride with people at all, which was so disappointing. I would fall WAY back on the climbs and would get dropped - or if they waited for me, I'd just fall way back on the next climb. I trained diligently all summer, eventually working up to a 50-mile event last fall, but my average speed hovered in the 11.5-13 mph range no matter what I did. I probably didn't give it enough time, but after about 6 months and several rides where I was almost brought to tears at my inability to keep up with people I was riding with and the difficulties getting up hills at more than 5-7 mph, I finally stopped riding the Tour Easy.

I should also mention that despite the perception that recumbents are much more comfortable than upright bikes, I had a new set of pains from mine. I actually had tailbone pain (NO fun) on long rides, despite the VERY cushy Koolback seat, and I also had absolutely burning quads that I never get on my upright on rides of the same distance over similar terrain.

So, I switched over to my older, entry-level Gary Fisher hybrid for a few rides, and even with flat bars, cheap components, and a relatively heavy frame, my speed went to 14.5 mph on my very first ride. And I could ride with the back of the "C" paced rides my club put on! Yippee!

Late last fall I invested in a lighter road bike (Terry Isis), and I gained another mph over my Gary Fisher. And I've improved even more since then, often even getting into the "B" range on rides (16-17+ mph).

After much thought about "what went wrong" with me and the bent, I finally realized that the main difficulty with it for me was its weight as a percentage of my body weight. I am really petite (105 lbs), and my Tour Easy with bag and accessories weighed 38 lbs! No wonder I couldn't haul it up a hill! My Isis weighed 23 lbs. all told, and what a difference that made to me.

Now, YMMV for sure, and I am truly not trying to knock recumbents. They are a perfect solution for some. There are much lighter recumbents than what I had, stronger riders who could handle them better than I, and people who simply have to ride recumbents for bio-mechanical/structural/health reasons. There are also those who place speed very low on their priority list and love the comfort factor. But I did want to share my experiences just in case anyone reading this might benefit from my experience and not make the same mistake I did.

The recumbent was traded back in to the shop where I got it, and my husband and I got a tandem bike instead - it weighs less than my single 'bent! :)

Keep on pedaling!
Emily