Quote Originally Posted by hebe View Post
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.