In article <
[email protected]>,
[email protected] says...
> Hi - I am looking at getting into the world of recumbents.
> My primary reason is due to a serious wrist/hand injury i
> incurred while riding my upright. I can not ride long
> distances with the weight on my wrist. I have a few
> questions I would like to pose to some experienced riders
> to get a sense if this is a good decision.
>
> 1. My bike is my primary form of transportation and I use
> it for commuting (about 10 miles each way). I would
> like to know if recumbents easy to ride in traffic
> situtations?
I ride mine almost every work day. Sometimes on 6 lane
streets in rush hour. I have commuted on a LWB RANS Stratus
as well as the Bacchetta Giro and Lightning Voyager SWBs
that I use now. I prefer the Over Seat Steering (OSS) and
the Short Wheel Base (SWB). The SWBs are a little more
nimble. The LWB are slower to get to cruising speed but can
hold that cruising speed with a little less effort than the
SWB. Recumbents are an unusual sight on busy streets, more
so than conventional Diamond Frame (DF) bikes. As such, you
will get more attention and usually a wider berth from other
vehicular traffic.
Recumbents offer the option of a pannier rack under the
seat. This permits a more stable load which can be important
for commuting.
> 2. I am looking at several different brands right know
> and would like a few thoughts on Burley and Visions
> for a beginner.
Vision is no longer in business, any Vision that you find in
a LBS may be had at a bargain. OTOH, special parts (very
few) and later resale may be a problem.
Both Burley and Vision offer USS and OSS models. It is an
interesting side note that most all the USS manufacturers in
the US have gone out of business.
Personally, I think I have better control of the bike with
OSS.
You might want to give yourself other options for recumbents
suitable for commuting. Both RANS And Bacchetta make fine
bikes very suitable for this purpose.
> 3. What are safety concerns with a recumbent?
Bugs get in your teeth. Try not to grin as you ride.
Actually, since recumbents allow you to keep your head up
and see traffic, they are probably a little safer than a DF.
>
> Sorry for so many questions I just do not want to leap
> into a purchase I may regret. Travis Butcher
My Advice: You need to ask more questions and ride more and
different recumbents.
If you are planning to use your recumbent as a primary form
of transportation, you will need to consider how and where
you carry a load. There are very few recumbent specific
racks for panniers. Most conventional racks can be adapted
to many recumbents. But you need to be creative to stabilize
the rack with a load. RANS makes a rear rack that fits their
bikes and Bacchettas too. Burley makes an adapter kit that
IMO is totally unsuitable because it places the load behind
the rear axle.
As I mentioned earlier, Bacchetta makes an underseat rack
(MidShip) that works great for commuting. It only fits their
padded Recurve Seat. RANS and EasyRacers also make an
underseat rack. Arkel has recently introduced a recumbent
specific pannier set that nest nicely behind the seat or
under it. I just got these and also their Utility baskets. I
will be using the Utility baskets tonight on my way home
from work. These are the trips when it is useful to have
rear and underseat racks. I carry my commuting gear in an
Ortlieb Front Roller under the seat and have room for a
weeks worth of groceries on the back.
--
Cletus D. Lee Bacchetta Giro Lightning Voyager
http://www.clee.org
- Bellaire, TX USA -
