New here, just bought a recumbent

[KennelGirl]

Hi everyone,
I've recently started cycling and bought a Trek Pilot that I love. I was very serious about riding horses but after hurting some muscles in my back last Jan., decided that a bike might work. I was getting really into cycling but the DF was really irritating my back if I rode beyond a 1/2 hour. Last week the idea of a recumbent popped into my head and I found one that I am having a great time on and, so far, hasn't bothered my back. I am wondering if there are other recumbent riders on here? I am *pretty much* over feeling kinda weird on my bike and accepting and feeling hopeful that I can be active without pain. I would love to hear of others experiences, has anyone done a century on a recumbent?
Tx!

[Dianyla]

I haven't personally ridden a recumbent, but when I've done centuries and similar events I've always seen a few riders on recumbents. I hear they're great for back issues.

[TsPoet]

I bought a bent 3 years ago. Two years ago, I sold my DF. One year ago, I bought a second "fast" bent. A few months ago I bought a trike. I will not buy another bike for several years, I promise I won't.
love my bents, love to ride.
There are a few bent riders on this board, but not many. There are more on bikejournal and (of course) many many more on bentrideronline.
But, I don't think you'll feel unwelcomed here, no matter what you ride.
Which bent did you get?
(I have a Bacchetta Giro, Bacchetta Corsa, and a Greenspeed X3)

[MomOnBike]

Recumbent rider here.

"They" say it takes about 1-3K miles to really feel one with a recumbent, so the weird feeling is natural. I loved mine right from the start, but was a bit wobbly at first.

It wasn't my back that put me on a 'bent, it was my wrists. I have very bad conformation there - prone to arthritis, carpal tunnel, and just general pain. I just couldn't see riding the long (slow) distances I love on an upright. Not an option for me.

I haven't done a century (yet), but did ride RAGBRAI this year. DH & I were the couple on the matching blue 'bents. The day with the optional century on RAGBRAI was the day that I was really struggling, so it was a Good Thing I kept my mileage to the "smaller" 70 or so that day. On a good day it would have been a stretch for this fat old broad, but I could have done it.

And for that matter, RAAM (3000-ish mile across America in a week or so) often has 'bent teams that do Very Well.

I love my 'bent. I hope you'll enjoy yours.

[KennelGirl]

I ended up buying a Burley Django..I know that they are no longer in business but it was the one that felt right. I drove 5 hours the other day to try a Rans Rocket and their VRex but he had just sold them! None of the Sun bikes felt right and the Bachettas didn't quite fit. So I went with the one that I liked from the first try. Kind of a crazy question, do you feel you get the same level of work-out as riding a DF? I'm just not getting the big sweat, etc but I'm also being cautious not to gear up high as I've been told you can get "bent knees". Since my problem is some kind of muscle tear that reared up while trying open sea kayaking and wind-surfing, I am hoping that I will be able to ride both bikes. It is the hammock effect that kills my mid-back with the DF. I have to say that the recumbent really is a whole new flavor of fun, kinda like Peter Fonda on a chopper!

[MomOnBike]

Well, yes and no, on the workout question.

Yes, you can red-line your heart if you put enough effort into it. Big hills help...

No, your upper body, even more than on an upright is just along for the ride.

As always, cross training is a good idea. And yes, I should take my own advice. But no, I don't have time. Sigh...

[evgen_slo]

what do u think about m5 shock proof?

[Aquila]

A couple of my good friends ride recumbents and love them! I hope you enjoy yours as much

[evangundy]

I have been 'bent for 7 years. First an Easy Racer Tour Easy (steel), than an ER Gold Rush Replica (Aluminum) and now an ER Ti-Rush (Titanium). I also have a Bacchetta Giro 20 that I commute on. The TiRush is long-wheel based and does not fit on the rack on the MAX train. The Giro fits.

These bikes are definitely a lot easier on the back, neck, shoulders, arms, etc. Glad you found one that works for you, doesn't make your back hurt, and you enjoy the ride. I have always believed the best bike for you ...... is the one you'll ride. Goes for any style bike, bent or upright, 2 wheel or 3 wheel (or one??? or more?).

It's harder to get the feeling of a strong workout because you don't use your upper body much. And it's better to be gradual about making your rides more intense. It will be easy to hurt your knees if you go too hard, too soon. You do use some different muscles in this position, so it takes awhile to get them used to pushing hard. There is enough difference in riding position between my Ti-Rush and the Giro that I feel it. I am lots faster on the ER bike. But I have been riding that position for 7 years. I have only been on the Giro since January. I am lots slower on the Giro, but improving gradually. I figure by next summer I should be about the same speed on both bikes.

For specific recumbent questions, a very good forum is www.bentrideronline.com - they are as friendly and helpful as the TE forum. 90-95% male, but very nice to us females.

Keep us posted as you ride more - Enjoy!!!
Edna

[Dogmama]

What are the differences between the two-wheelers & 3 wheelers? Other than it's harder to fall over on the 3 wheelers - probably a plus for a klutz like me.

Some bikes have you laying way back & others are more upright. In terms of speed and getting a good workout - is there a difference?

What about visibility? I always worry about being seen on the road.

[itself]

Hi everyone,
I've recently started cycling and bought a Trek Pilot that I love. I was very serious about riding horses but after hurting some muscles in my back last Jan., decided that a bike might work. I was getting really into cycling but the DF was really irritating my back if I rode beyond a 1/2 hour. Last week the idea of a recumbent popped into my head and I found one that I am having a great time on and, so far, hasn't bothered my back. I am wondering if there are other recumbent riders on here? I am *pretty much* over feeling kinda weird on my bike and accepting and feeling hopeful that I can be active without pain. I would love to hear of others experiences, has anyone done a century on a recumbent?
Tx!

I just found this forum, and am happy to see that there are recumbent female riders, so very few on bentrideronline, it seems. I own a Bacchetta Aero 24, and an ICE X2 Tandem. My partner and I LOVE riding the tandem, and next year, will have Calfee Designs build one in carbon fiber (it weighs only 44 lbs!)

Yes, bents/trikes look weird, but what a relief on the back, shoulders and neck. Yes, there is a learning curve with the Short wheeled based models like my Aero. The Long Wheeled based recumbents are far more stable and easier to learn. That being said, I had to have titanium, and though I was scared for the first month, I now ride my Aero comfortably. Trikes rock, and we get a heck of a workouts oun ours. Yes, they are slower, but do we always have to be in a rush to go somewhere?!

Lisa
Bacchetta Ti Aero 24
ICE X2 Tandem