Originally posted by armywife
I've been thinking about a recumbent bicycle since my shoulder started dying...but I don't know anybody with one and I had a question..or two
1)can you hook a burley up to it or some other kid carrying/pulling thingy to it?
2)I tried riding one of those bike machinge in the seated position..and my butt keeps falling asleep, is there a difference in the seating?
3) I'm 5"3' and 122lbs. it seems like any bike i would get would be small and I have never seen one....any sites?
thanks
"a possible convert"
Welcome to the world of at least 'exploring' recumbents! Where are you located? You'll want to find a local bike shop (LBS) or three that carry recumbents and go and try them out. For a beginner you want to check them all out, find one that fits and appeals to you and then go ride it around. There are bents specifically designed to fit shorter riders so fear not!
Most (though not all) LBS's that carry recumbents are very accomodating and will help instruct you on how to ride and teach you about what different options you have available too you. I'd recommend you try a few of each major brand, give it a little while and then go back again to reconfirm your experience and feelings before you buy. The first bent I rode I fell in love with and would have bought it on the spot had the price not kept me from doing so, and then rode more and more models until I got a better understanding of what I was really looking for, what I could afford, what was important and what was hipe.
Go to
www.bentrideronline.com, at the top (or bottom) click the Buyer's Guide button and read the "Choosing the Right Recumbent". See what seems to fit your bill.
My recommendation for the novice is a CLWB or LWB (Compact Long Wheel Base), overseat steering bent. The Rans Tailwind, Stratus and up to Velocity Squared are really nice, and go up in price. Burley Jet Creek and Koosah are new and have gotten some good reviews thus far, Easy Racer/Sun have a bunch and a few new models to check out (I'm not a huge fan but they're popular).
If you've ridden bikes for years and are more performance oriented and comfortable on bents as soon as you get on them, you might want to look at SWB (short wheel base) models. If that's the case, you've opened up a whole can of worms as there are tons to choose from. Price is really a key driver here, the more you spend the better components you get, etc, etc; but do you really need all that?
You can look and compare models on Hostel Shoppe's website, great people to deal with and very knowledgable:
http://www.hostelshoppe.com/recumbent_catalog.php
Sign up for a free catalog from them and when it arrives, read up and dream about your ideal bent!
There are a lot of used bents out there available which run about 50-75% of original price, but buying at your LBS after doing a bunch of test rides might very well be the way to go. Ebay always ongoing auctions, and Bentrideronline, hostelshoppe and the link below always advertise used bents; the trick is you have to know what you're looking for first. That's why an LBS usually works.
http://www.recumbents.com/home.asp
Finally you can try to find other bent riders in your area. Ask your LBS when the bentheads usually gather and be there, ask questions of the riders and most will offer to let you try out their bents.
Once you go bent, you're not likely to go back. Since this is such a smaller niche market, it's difficult to get good info and find those that are familiar. Check out your LBS's first, and if you have no luck there, post notes on bentrideronline asking for help in your area for recommendations. The bent community is pretty tight and a helpful bunch, we're looking for more to become 'converts' to carry the message of riding nirvana to the infidels on their DF's (diamond frames)!!!
Good luck and post more if you have additional questions!
Drew816