New here, just bought a recumbent

[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