Recumbent riders?

[Ebet]

I am new to this forum and am just curious how many other recumbent riders are out there. I ride an HP Velotechnik Street Machine. I did try searching for similar posts but couldn't find any.

Elizabeth

[mimitabby]

wow, I don't know if we have any. I know there are some on BikeJournal.com.

But welcome to TE, we talk about stuff you might not want to discuss on BJ.

find the thread "getting to know you" and tell us about yourself.

Mimi

[East Hill]

Yes, we like introductions...not that I think I ever properly introduced myself, but I'm just a big nuisance anyway !

East Hill

[makbike]

I ride a Giro 20 part-time and the other half of my time is spent on my Univega. I purchased my Giro last July and must admit I'm still learning the ins and outs of recumbents. Someday I'll be able to make it up a hill but at the moment I'm still a slug.

[KnottedYet]

There are a few 'bent riders here. I used to ride a BikeE recumbent, but now I ride a Kona and a Waterford. (both are wedgie bikes)

[TsPoet]

I ride, and have
1. Bacchetta Corsa
2. Bacchetta Giro 20
3. Greenspeed GT3
4. an illness that forces me to ride bikes, which was caused by bents.

There have been occasions on this forum (many) in which I've wanted to answer people with - Get a recumbent! it will solve your seat, arms, back, speed, distance... problem.
Three and a half years ago I laughed at my friend for buying a recumbent, three years ago I bought the Giro. I sold my road bike about 2 years ago when I bought the faster and more comfortable Corsa. I sold my Mt bike 6 months ago - I'm never going back. Although I sort of miss the Mt Bike on some occasions out walking the dog in some neat backwoods areas.

Welcome to the forum!

[emily_in_nc]

I used to ride an Easy Racers Tour Easy, but it was too heavy for me to get up the hills (it weighed about 37 lbs, I weighed about 115 at that time, am even lighter now). It was really fun on the flats and FAST on downhills, though! I also found that it gave me tail bone pain on longer rides. For me, going back to a lighter, upright road bike was hugely helpful in getting faster, but I'm not knocking 'bents at all -- they work well for some people. I probably just didn't get the right one for me.

Welcome to TE -- there's room for everyone here! I ride a mountain bike and a 20" wheel folding Bike Friday primarily these days. You'll find all types of riders here!

Emily

[MomOnBike]

Sun Easy Sport AX here. It's pretty much my transportation here in town.

I got it to relieve the pressure on my hands - and to ride across the country. It's kind of a slug on hills, but any bike under my mass, especially with all the Stuff for a commute or a tour is a slug on hills. I just enjoy the downhills more than most. (Brakes? On a downhill? I think not! )

This winter I've been commuting on my daughter's MTB. As soon as the ice is off my route, I'm going back to comfort - and 27 mph downhills.

[Ebet]

Thank you for all the nice responses! I like all bikes too and I support whatever makes each of us happy to ride. I have a folding diamond-frame too (a Breezer with 20" wheels) that is fun and very portable. I got a recumbent a few months ago mainly because of neck problems that restrict my mileage on diamond-frames, and because of their practicality as transportation bikes. I am now able to ride much farther and faster than ever before.

My bike is a bit heavy too but I am getting faster up the hills with more practice over the past few months. They say it takes several months to develop the different muscles needed to climb hills efficiently on a recumbent. Rolling hills are easier because the bike is so fast going downhill and the momentum carries for a while up the next hill. Today I put a front fairing on that appears to improve the speed and aerodynamics despite the extra weight. I try to use the bike for all local trips. I got some heavy-duty panniers that are made from recycled oyster buckets and they each hold four gallons, so I can carry a lot of groceries and it's great exercise.

In an ideal world, I would have lots of bikes, including a fast racing recumbent! I am still exploring what will work best for my fairly small size.

[KnottedYet]

I love the paper catalogs put out by The Hostel Shoppe. www.hostelshoppe.com I keep them and make notes all over them. I've called the shop once or twice about their Volae 'bents (they are copies of Bachettas). The paper catalogs are great for browsing!

[MomOnBike]

Oh, yeah, the Hostel Shoppe could put a serious dent in a girl's budget (um, Mom, it already has...)

And fairings, gotta have a fairing. They help with the headwinds and make tailwinds so much fun you almost forget to pedal.

The thing I really love about my 'bent is the comments "Wow, cool bike" from kids half my age and younger who know what "cool" means. This means a lot to an aging exhibitionist hippy chick.

[evangundy]

I've been lurking for a while, and have posted a couple times. I keep meaning to add myself to the "getting to know you" - (maybe I'll do that right after typing this).
I've been "bent" for 5 years - ER Tour Easy, to a ER Gold Rush and last summer got my Ti-Rush. When I switched from my road bike (Raleigh R600) and found I rode up hills at the same speed as before, there was no turning back. I was so much faster and tire so much less than on my upright, and my wrists and shoulders didn't hurt anymore, I was enjoying cycling again.

And I feel the right bike, is the one you'll ride. Doesn't matter if it is a road, touring, mtb, recumbent, trike, etc. They're all bikes. When I have questions specifically bent related, I to to www.bentrideronline.com - it is mostly male, but very much like this group, very accepting, and the moderators keep good control. Very friendly. But I like this forum, just because it isn't all male.

Edna
ps: hi to TsPoet - hope to see you at PIR

[emily_in_nc]

I've been lurking for a while, and have posted a couple times. I keep meaning to add myself to the "getting to know you" - (maybe I'll do that right after typing this).
I've been "bent" for 5 years - ER Tour Easy, to a ER Gold Rush and last summer got my Ti-Rush.

Oooh, Ti-Rush. NICE ride!!! If I could have afforded one at the time, instead of my TourEasy EX, I might still be 'bent!

Emily

[TsPoet]

ps: hi to TsPoet - hope to see you at PIR

Edna,
If you are going to ride this year, I'll be there. I still need to revenge the whooping you gave me on the drag race 2 years ago.

All,
Hopefully this doesn't hijack this thread - but anyone in the Portland area, the OHPV group has a really neat 2 day series of races every year. It's really just an excuse to have fun and hang out with other (recumbent) cyclists. But, no one really cares what you ride. (Edna correct me if I'm wrong!)
We NEED more women, with the exception of the drag race, I have both won and lost every race I've entered in. I would love to only do one or the other! And, we need more women racing anyway. This is a great, fun, safe venue with lots of friendly people.
http://www.ohpv.org/PIR/index.htm
(since I don't know what day Memorial day is, I don't know if this was for last year or this year)

[KnottedYet]

Oh, that would be so much fun!

Too bad I sold my recumbent, or I'd go!