Not sure

how you people do it, it looks mighty uncomfortable and on a normal double diamond frame, we get out of the saddle to go up hills, how do you ppl arc up the effort ? I dont understand how pedalling with legs out in front can be efficient ?

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"...too old to be riding a bike..." my former workmates used to say. Screw them. I don't judge people for their lack of interest in exercise. So don't judge me.

It's interesting, the first time I rode a recumbent, I kept grabbing at my helmet because I thought it was blowing off of my head. I simply wasn't used to actually looking ahead of myself rather than staring down at the pavement. If you've ridden a diamond frame for years, you'll be shocked at how much of the world you don't see from that stooped-over position.

There is no comparison between the comfort and natural posture of a recumbent and the palsied, bent-over, post-in-the-rear riding position of a "wedgie," and I've been riding wedgies for 40 years, and still love 'em.

As far as climbing goes, it's all about gearing, and the "sit-and-spin" technique. While you don't have the leverage that standing on the pedals provides, you can avail yourself of the seat back to gain some push.

stooped-over? I ride in the usual possie, and dont have a problem with vision, i'd reckon sitting back looking upwards would be more of an effort to get used to...on the DD i can turn my head easily to see important stuff like boxed bozos (cars)...I know you can fit mirrors to Rec's ( i got one on my DD)...

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"...too old to be riding a bike..." my former workmates used to say. Screw them. I don't judge people for their lack of interest in exercise. So don't judge me.

Well again, I'm not denigrating diamond frames at all, I'm simply saying that you can't appreciate the difference if you've never ridden a 'bent.

DFs, (a.k.a. DDs) are optimized for climbing. OTOH, recumbents are better at downhills, flats, headwinds, tailwinds... in short, everywhere except climbing. I don't understand how pedaling with your legs perpendicular to the airflow can be efficient. And I can say that from the perspective of having experience on both platforms. So how do we do it? We work a little harder on uphills but we get to the top. Same as you suffering into a headwind.