Re: Advice for recumbant bike

You can start at alt.rec.bicycles.recumbent
Phil Brown

paul said:

Due to age and Prostate surgery I find that I cannot ride a standard bike
comfortably. I want the exercise and a recumbant bike was suggested,
however, I know very little about them. I would appreciate any suggestions
and comments about brands and availability. I currently live in Florida, no
hills and mostly paved roads, although some sand to contend with.
TIA,
Paul

Paul,

You would have better results searching for information if you spell it
as "recumbent".

This may not be the best forum to ask questions in, since there are very
few recumbent riders among the regulars, and one of them has a perverse
fascination with a couple of very rare, out of production models from an
out of business manufacturer (I will be polite and not mention names).
There is a Usenet forum dedicated to recumbent bicycles
<alt.rec.bicycles.recumbent>.

My first suggestion is to find a place that rents recumbents by the
week, so you will have a chance to adjust to recumbent balancing and
steering which is quite different [1] than that of a conventional
upright bicycle. Test rides will be much more meaningful once you gain
some familiarity with recumbent riding.

The variety of available recumbent designs is much greater than that of
uprights, despite being approximately 1% or less of the quality bicycle
market in the US. Rather than suggesting a particular model of
recumbent, I suggest that you find a specialist recumbent dealer that
has a good selection of recumbents in stock and the ability to set them
up properly for you on test rides (there are several recumbent shops in
Florida with good reputations).

[1] But no more difficult, in my experience.

--
Tom Sherman – Quad City Area

paul <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Due to age and Prostate surgery I find that I cannot ride a standard bike
comfortably. I want the exercise and a recumbant bike was suggested,
however, I know very little about them. I would appreciate any suggestions
and comments about brands and availability. I currently live in Florida, no
hills and mostly paved roads, although some sand to contend with.
TIA,
Paul

I went to a specialist recumbent dealer who insisted I try out his
full range of bikes/trikes etc. I must have ridden over 20! Some are
great fun, many are rubbish, most are impractical. One thing for sure,
if you do go over to the dark-side, it will become a thoroughly
absorbing obsession, and you will become a bore.

I particularly like the Optima Baron and the Challenge Taifun. Beware
that you cannot actually turn the front wheel on many lowracers, they
have little load-carrying ability and motorists tend to either give
you plenty of room or not see you at all!

For speed, comfort, practicality and fun, I recommend a trike!

http://www.windcheetah.co.uk/

LGF

paul <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Due to age and Prostate surgery I find that I cannot ride a standard bike
comfortably. I want the exercise and a recumbant bike was suggested,
however, I know very little about them. I would appreciate any suggestions
and comments about brands and availability. I currently live in Florida, no
hills and mostly paved roads, although some sand to contend with.
TIA,
Paul

Http://www.recumbents.com is a great resource website with a national
(but incomplete) list of dealers, showing several shops that carry
LOTS of 'bents in FL. It's also a great info website in general.

If you don't like reading webpages...you could always buy a copy of a
book I publish, the only one on recumbents, called "The Recumbent
Bicycle"---check it out at http://outyourbackdoor.com (or Amazon). It
also has a dealer list plus all the rest about 'bents.

Tom Sherman already gave a fine answer but I'd like to emphasize a
couple things differently: I think that if you find a shop with a lot
of models and a good testing loop that you could pick a good 'bent for
you in an afternoon. But it is hugely recommended that you do this
testing. And pick a shop with lots of models and agreat loop! These
are the most impt things in 'bent buying. Tom said 'bent handling is
different but not harder. I would agree. Actually, I would say it's
not really different. A bike is a bike. They're more alike than they
are different, at least in the sense that there's no cause for
intimidation. The stability factors are basically the same. You get
on, you ride away...YOU GRIN. Give yourself a whole afternoon to test
these things. It's like going to the circus, a very fun time. Then buy
the bike from the dealer whose bikes you test (the most). An afternoon
of test-riding a dozen 'bents for the first time ever is an experience
worth paying for in itself. It's just great fun! It's also worth a
sizeable drive. 'Bents are becoming so popular now that most high-end
full service shops will carry a line or two. You may find one that
suits you fine nearby. 'Bents are so well-made today that you can't
really go wrong---but you will probably be partial to a certain style.
Still, I suggest trying at least several models to get a feel for the
range of ride qualities. Enjoy! --JP

paul said:

Due to age and Prostate surgery I find that I cannot ride a standard bike
comfortably. I want the exercise and a recumbant bike was suggested,
however, I know very little about them. I would appreciate any suggestions
and comments about brands and availability. I currently live in Florida, no
hills and mostly paved roads, although some sand to contend with.
TIA,
Paul

Look closely at the EZ-1 and EZ-sport. Designed by EZ Racers, built by
Sunn in Taiwan (I think), and available or can be ordered by most bike
stores. The cheaper model has straight square tubing, the more
expensive one has round curved cruiser-style tubing, a smaller back
wheel, and is lighter and sits lower to the ground. Both are very
comfortable. Based on a few hours riding them, I'd take either over a
bike-E, Linear or the 1979 Nashbar I had for a few years. Parts are
nothing exciting, but not completely [censored] either.

David Johnson said:

Look closely at the EZ-1 and EZ-sport. Designed by EZ Racers, built by
Sunn in Taiwan (I think), and available or can be ordered by most bike
stores. The cheaper model has straight square tubing, the more
expensive one has round curved cruiser-style tubing, a smaller back
wheel, and is lighter and sits lower to the ground. Both are very
comfortable. Based on a few hours riding them, I'd take either over a
bike-E, Linear or the 1979 Nashbar I had for a few years. Parts are
nothing exciting, but not completely [censored] either.

A few minor corrections and comments. The EZ-1 and EZ-Sport are built by
Sun in Taiwan, and imported to the US by Sun's parent company, J&B
Importers [1]. They are designed by Gardner Martin of Easy Racers [2].
Any bicycle shop with a J&B account (almost all US shops) can order the
bike for you.

As a point of comparison, the "Nashbar" (probably an Infinity) and
Linear designs are far from the state of the art, and the BikeE design
has its limitations. That being said, the EZ bikes from Sun are well
designed and are a very good value for the money (compared to production
recumbents as a whole).

I am partial to the RANS designs [3], and would recommend considering
the Rocket, Tailwind, and Velocity Squared.

[1] <http://www.jbimporters.com/>
[2] <http://www.easyracers.com/>
[3] <http://www.ransbikes.com/>

--
Tom Sherman – Quad City Area

Tom Sherman said:

A few minor corrections and comments. The EZ-1 and EZ-Sport are built by
Sun in Taiwan, and imported to the US by Sun's parent company, J&B
Importers [1]. They are designed by Gardner Martin of Easy Racers [2].
Any bicycle shop with a J&B account (almost all US shops) can order the
bike for you.

I know I've seen a bike with a 2-N Sunn badge, but I won't swear it's the
EZ.

Quoted message said:

As a point of comparison, the "Nashbar" (probably an

Infinity) and

From what I found out, Nashbar sold at least 2 recumbents in the late
70's/early 80's. Mine was the first of these designs, built in 1979. I
talked to someone associated with Infinity, and he said that they weren't
related. There are some significant differences--The Nashbar has a fixed
seat, brazed to the frame (and more annoyingly with a fixed seat angle)
and the bottom bracket is clamped on and moves to adjust for different
riders.

Quoted message said:

Linear designs are far from the state of the art, and the BikeE design
has its limitations. That being said, the EZ bikes from Sun are well
designed and are a very good value for the money (compared to production
recumbents as a whole).

My main point was that even though the EZ's are the cheapest recumbents
that I'm aware of, they are better than several that cost a good bit more.

Jeff-<< It's like going to the circus >><BR><BR>

You can say that twice, twice.

Jeff<< 'Bents are becoming so popular now that most high-end
full service shops will carry a line or two. >><BR><BR>

Really? Where? Name three cities where this is true.

Not here in Boulder, the home of many 'high end shops'.

Jeff-<< I suggest trying at least several models to get a feel for the
range of ride qualities >><BR><BR>

So I guess they aren't 'just a bike' then, with huge differences in seating,
steering, wheels sizes, drivetrain, etc.

If ya 'need' a 'bent, great but a replacement or improvement on a double
triangle upright it is not.
Ya really ought to mention the shortcomings of these as well. Like ablity to
ride and drink, the ability to carry water(no camelbacks), the diffuculty of
seeing behind you w/o a rear view mirror, the lack of some parts, like small
tubes and tires, etc.
Hopefully the dealer will point out these things.
They may work for you but are not a panacea for those nasty things called
'uprights'. I have ridden many, inncluding a 'bent tandem and I wasn't
'grinning'.

Peter Chisholm
Vecchio's Bicicletteria
1833 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535
http://www.vecchios.com
"Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

Qui si parla Campagnolo said:

... If ya 'need' a 'bent, great but a replacement or improvement on a double
triangle upright it is not.
Ya really ought to mention the shortcomings of these as well. Like ablity to
ride and drink, the ability to carry water(no camelbacks), the diffuculty of
seeing behind you w/o a rear view mirror, the lack of some parts, like small
tubes and tires, etc....

Well, I have ridden thousands of miles on recumbents, and I have drunk
from water bottles while riding thousands of times. I have also carried
a Camelbak on most of those rides.

Riding in traffic with a mirror on a recumbent is very similar to using
a mirror on a motor vehicle - hundreds of millions of people do it
successfully every day.

The are plenty of high pressure road tires in all the sizes commonly
used by recumbents (and upright folders).

I have no idea where Mr. Chisholm gets some of these false ideas about
recumbents (a subject he obviously knows very little about) other than
creating them out of prejudice.

--
Tom Sherman – Quad City Area

Tom-<< Well, I have ridden thousands of miles on recumbents, and I have drunk
from water bottles while riding thousands of times. I have also carried
a Camelbak on most of those rides. >><BR><BR>

I guess I don't see how you sit on a 'seat, with a back and also have a
Camelback.

MY point, is that 'bents are a different way to do the same thing. Use a human
powered vehicle to get from here to there. They have disadvantages and
problems, 'goods and others', just like an upright.

MY point is that some view 'bents' as the 'no problem, easy to find, ride and
fix' solution to all the ills of an upright, as if an upright is some sort of
evil, uncomfortable thing that MUST be vanquished.

Mr Potter's comments, such as 'grinning' when you test ride speaks volumes
about HIS and apparently your prejudice.Namely the equation of 'bents=fun',
uprights= pain and suffering.

Just tell the whole story. 'Bents work for some but so do uprights. 'Bents are
not growing in numbers to the extent Jeff would like you to believe. There are
no 'bent dealers here in Boulder. Maybe only one in Denver.

Peter Chisholm
Vecchio's Bicicletteria
1833 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535
http://www.vecchios.com
"Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

Qui si parla Campagnolo said:

Tom-<< Well, I have ridden thousands of miles on recumbents, and I have drunk
from water bottles while riding thousands of times. I have also carried
a Camelbak on most of those rides. >><BR><BR>

I guess I don't see how you sit on a 'seat, with a back and also have a
Camelback.

Peter,

There are two options: fasten the Camelbak to the back of the seat or
wear it backwards. These would seem to be pretty obvious - why make an
ignorant statement about something that you obviously have little to
knowledge about unless it is out of anti-recumbent prejudice? The same
is true about drinking water while riding. There are a few poor handling
recumbents that are too unstable to easily ride with just one hand, but
then the same is true of some poorly handling uprights. The existence of
a few inferior designs does not condemn the category as a whole.

Quoted message said:

MY point, is that 'bents are a different way to do the same thing. Use a human
powered vehicle to get from here to there. They have disadvantages and
problems, 'goods and others', just like an upright.

MY point is that some view 'bents' as the 'no problem, easy to find, ride and
fix' solution to all the ills of an upright, as if an upright is some sort of
evil, uncomfortable thing that MUST be vanquished.

For a person that has had prostate surgery (such as the original
poster), riding an upright bicycle may no longer be an option. Would you
discourage him from riding a recumbent, so he gives up cycling altogether?

Quoted message said:

Mr Potter's comments, such as 'grinning' when you test ride speaks volumes
about HIS and apparently your prejudice.Namely the equation of 'bents=fun',
uprights= pain and suffering.

Just tell the whole story. 'Bents work for some but so do uprights. 'Bents are
not growing in numbers to the extent Jeff would like you to believe. There are
no 'bent dealers here in Boulder. Maybe only one in Denver.

There are at least 5 recumbent bicycle dealers in Colorado: Angletech in
Woodland Park, Best Of Bents in Arvada, High Gear Cyclery in Longmont,
Recumbent Brothers Cycles in Peyton, and Spring Creek Recumbent Bicycle
in Fort Collins. Why make the statement that there may possibly be one
dealer in Denver, and imply that there are no others when you do not
know that to be the case?

It is certainly your privilege to dislike recumbent bicycles, and to not
sell or service them if you so choose. It is also your privilege to
express your dislike of recumbents. But you should refrain from
presenting opinion and ignorant assumptions as fact.

--
Tom Sherman – Quad City Area

[email hidden] (Qui si parla Campagnolo ) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Jeff-<< It's like going to the circus >><BR><BR>

You can say that twice, twice.

Jeff<< 'Bents are becoming so popular now that most high-end
full service shops will carry a line or two. >><BR><BR>

Really? Where? Name three cities where this is true.

Not here in Boulder, the home of many 'high end shops'.

Really? None of the shops has an account with J&B Importers?

OK, granted they probably don't have a 'bent on the floor, which
limits the possibilities for a test ride. But any slightly
adventuresome shop could get anything in the Sun Bicycles line with
just a phone call.

Locally, I've seen recumbents in a high-end shop (River City Bicycles)
and a local chain (Bike Gallery) in addition to 5 recumbent lines in a
specialty shop (Coventry Bicycles). A quick search on
http://www.recumbents.com/dealers.asp found a recumbent specialist
within 25 miles of Boulder.

Pete, I'll agree that recumbents aren't the "be all and end all" of
bicycles. Hell, I've got two recumbents and four uprights- each with
its own "character". (One recumbent has mostly Campy Nuovo Record- I
use it for short, fast rides.)I'll use my Tour Easy for long rides (a
rainy, windy century yesterday), while I'll use the single-speed
upright beater for coffee-shop runs.

To the OP: if you're having problems with your prostrate, be careful
about which recumbent you select. The bikes with soft, cushy seats may
seem to be better, but the soft foam may push up into that sensitive
spot. Either firmer foam or a more laid-back seat might serve you
better. All the more reason to try a couple different recumbents.

FWIW: Hostel Shoppe ( http://www.hostelshoppe.com/ ) offers a
test-ride policy on their Volae bikes. Try out one for two weeks and
if it's not "right", return it and they'll refund the cost (including
shipping both ways), minus 5%.

Jeff Wills

Many thanks to all who responded to my request! I won't become a bore, and
I promise to try to learn to spell properly as well. Thanks again, Paul

I found last summer on some century rides that my tolerance for long
rides on my upright had diminished to the point that it wasn't fun. I
looked at recumbents to see if I could find a solution. I wanted
something fast and stable and short enough to fit in my car (Honda
Civic). I gravitated to the new breed of "high racers", now made by
RANS, Volae, and Bacchetta in the US. They use dual 650C or 26 inch
wheels. I bought a Volae Club due to the Hostel Shoppe's generous try
and return policy. It was an excellent and very high quality bike.
This spring I replaced it with a used Bacchetta Aero, the top of the
line Bacchetta, with a Ti frame, hard shell carbon fiber seat, carbon
fiber fork, etc.

There is a learning curve with these bikes. They use somewhat
different muscles, they don't make tight U turns, and they take some
practice at starting up, especially on a hill. I find that I am
somewhat slower up hills because I can't stand up. The previously
mentioned issues with mirrors and hydration are not at all a problem
for me.

The upside is that these bikes are comfy and fast. I replaced the
foam on the Aero with dual density foam from a Volae. I have ridden a
100 miler and was really beat at the end (May 1st is early for
centuries in NH!) but had no pain in the neck, butt, shoulders, or
wrists. My best century last year on the upright was 6:58 and the
century on the recumbent was 6:13, 4 months earlier in the season. My
average speed on any of my loops is higher. It's easy to see why -
substantially lower frontal area.

I have several uprights and still ride them on shorter rides. But as
I continue to age (I'll be 51 this summer) I expect that the longer
rides will be 'bent.

Bacchetta, Volae, and RANS also make bikes with lower BBs which I
expect are easier to learn to ride. Then of course there are the
medium and long wheelbase bents, none of which I've ridden.

By far the best resource I've found is www.bentrideronline.com.
a.r.b.r. is filled with off topic posts. BROL is lightly moderated
and has a much higher signal to noise ratio. Also, Yahoo Groups has a
Bacchetta bike group that is really excellent.

There are others who have made the switch due to prostate issues.

Good luck!

Marc Rosenbaum

jwills-<< Really? None of the shops has an account with J&B Importers?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

<BR><BR>

'most high end shops will carry a line or two', was the quote. We have an
account with J&B but we don't carry the vast majority of what is in their
catalog. Calfee makes a 'bent, we don't sell those as well.

<jwills< But any slightly
adventuresome shop could get anything in the Sun Bicycles line with
just a phone call. >><BR><BR>

You bet but I think I have a pretty good feel for the bicycle market here in
Boulder, as I have been in it for the last 12 years and I don't see recumbents
selling here.

jwills-<< A quick search on
http://www.recumbents.com/dealers.asp found a recumbent specialist
within 25 miles of Boulder. >><BR><BR>

Who would that be?

Peter Chisholm
Vecchio's Bicicletteria
1833 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535
http://www.vecchios.com
"Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

Tom-<< For a person that has had prostate surgery (such as the original
poster), riding an upright bicycle may no longer be an option. Would you
discourage him from riding a recumbent, so he gives up cycling altogether?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

<BR><BR>

Boy, I guess that sound is the point whizzing over your head. 'Bents are great
for some that cannot ride an upright. I think I said that more than once. BUT
they have disadvantages and problems, are NOT mainstream, and in most cases do
not offer a vastly superior solution to the percieved 'ills' of the upright, as
some imply.

Wear a camelback backwards, on your chest? You must be kidding.

Tom<< There are at least 5 recumbent bicycle dealers in Colorado: Angletech in
Woodland Park, Best Of Bents in Arvada, High Gear Cyclery in Longmont,
Recumbent Brothers Cycles in Peyton, and Spring Creek Recumbent Bicycle
in Fort Collins >><BR><BR>

So, like I said, none in Boulder, one in Denver.

Tom<< It is certainly your privilege to dislike recumbent bicycles, and to not
sell or service them if you so choose. >><BR><BR>

I DON'T dislike 'bents. I DISLIKE those that paint them with such a broad brush
that they are the solution to all the ills of the upright.

'test, test, test, am I getting out?'

Peter Chisholm
Vecchio's Bicicletteria
1833 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535
http://www.vecchios.com
"Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

"Qui si parla Campagnolo " <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Wear a camelback backwards, on your chest? You must be kidding.

It would be kind of cool to see Fabrizio's head spinning around and around
though :-)
--
Mark South: World Citizen, Net Denizen

[email hidden] (Qui si parla Campagnolo ) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...
<snip>

Quoted message said:

jwills-<< A quick search on
http://www.recumbents.com/dealers.asp found a recumbent specialist
within 25 miles of Boulder. >><BR><BR>

Who would that be?

No direct experience with these guys, but they've got a nice tag line:
"Bicycles for the Pedally Insane"

http://www.bestofbents.com/
Best of Bents
7580 Grant Pl.
Arvada, CO 80002
Phone: 303 463-8775

Recumbents: Rans, Haluzak, Vision, Easy Racer, Bacchetta, Longbikes,
HP Velotechnik, Hase, Trisled, Penninger, Organic Engines, BigCat,
Trice, Greenspeed, Vision, Lightfoot Cycles, BikeFriday, Draft Master,
ATOC,

Quoted message said:

Peter Chisholm
Vecchio's Bicicletteria
1833 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535
http://www.vecchios.com
"Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

[email hidden] (Qui si parla Campagnolo ) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...
<snip>

Quoted message said:

I DON'T dislike 'bents. I DISLIKE those that paint them with such a broad brush
that they are the solution to all the ills of the upright.

'test, test, test, am I getting out?'

I read you. And I agree. I've ridden recumbents for 14 years (along
with being "involved" since 1979) and they're *not* the cure for
mankind's ills.

It does seem, though, that the newly converted are annoyingly
evangelical. I was like that, but then I found that I was simply
annoying. I'd rather ride.

Jeff