Recumbent OUCH!

[Rex Kerr]

A coworker has a SWB USS recumbent in the office... it's longer than
the wall between his cube and the neighboring cube. A few minutes ago I
was there talking about some issue and when I turn to leave I hit the
extended chainring with my knee. My "catch the falling bike!" instinct
kicks in and I go to grab it and drive a chainring tooth deep into the
soft tissue between my thumb and forefinger.

OUCH! Now blood is dripping all over!!

See, if it'd been a DF bike that wouldn't have happened! First, it
would have fit in the space provided like the dozens of other bikes
around here, and second the chainring would have been in a safer location!!!

Just trolling...

 

[Tom Sherman]

Former RANS V-Rex rider Rex Kerr wrote:
> A coworker has a SWB USS recumbent in the office... it's longer than
> the wall between his cube and the neighboring cube. A few minutes ago I
> was there talking about some issue and when I turn to leave I hit the
> extended chainring with my knee. My "catch the falling bike!" instinct
> kicks in and I go to grab it and drive a chainring tooth deep into the
> soft tissue between my thumb and forefinger.
>
> OUCH! Now blood is dripping all over!!
>
> See, if it'd been a DF bike that wouldn't have happened! First, it
> would have fit in the space provided like the dozens of other bikes
> around here, and second the chainring would have been in a safer
> location!!!
>
> Just trolling...

You are being punished by the Gods of RANS for your loss of faith.

The exposed chain wheels are there to punish the clumsy. They also serve
to shift the advantage from pedestrian to cyclist in a collision (the
pedestrian almost always wins in an upright bicycle to pedestrian
collision).

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
"And never forget, life ultimately makes failures of all people." A. Derleth

 

[Rex Kerr]

Tom Sherman wrote:
> You are being punished by the Gods of RANS for your loss of faith.

Man, good memory. Yeah, I dabbled for a number of years, but I'm now
recumbent free.

That said, perhaps you're right. After years of injury free recumbent
ownership I get this from a stray recumbent!

 

[Ryan Cousineau]

In article <[email protected]>, Rex Kerr <[email protected]> wrote:

> Tom Sherman wrote:
> > You are being punished by the Gods of RANS for your loss of faith.
>
> Man, good memory. Yeah, I dabbled for a number of years, but I'm now
> recumbent free.
>
> That said, perhaps you're right. After years of injury free recumbent
> ownership I get this from a stray recumbent!

What drove your apostasy?

--
Ryan Cousineau [email protected] http://www.wiredcola.com/
"My scenarios may give the impression I could be an excellent crook.
Not true - I am a talented lawyer." - Sandy in rec.bicycles.racing

 

[Just A User]

Tom Sherman wrote:
> Former RANS V-Rex rider Rex Kerr wrote:
>> A coworker has a SWB USS recumbent in the office... it's longer than
>> the wall between his cube and the neighboring cube. A few minutes ago
>> I was there talking about some issue and when I turn to leave I hit
>> the extended chainring with my knee. My "catch the falling bike!"
>> instinct kicks in and I go to grab it and drive a chainring tooth deep
>> into the soft tissue between my thumb and forefinger.
>>
>> OUCH! Now blood is dripping all over!!
>>
>> See, if it'd been a DF bike that wouldn't have happened! First, it
>> would have fit in the space provided like the dozens of other bikes
>> around here, and second the chainring would have been in a safer
>> location!!!
>>
>> Just trolling...
>
> You are being punished by the Gods of RANS for your loss of faith.
>
> The exposed chain wheels are there to punish the clumsy. They also serve
> to shift the advantage from pedestrian to cyclist in a collision (the
> pedestrian almost always wins in an upright bicycle to pedestrian
> collision).
>
The Gods of RANS have a funny way of punishing people.
About the chainring sticking out. A df wheel sticks out a similar
distance as the chainrings on a SWB recumbent.

 

[Rex Kerr]

> The Gods of RANS have a funny way of punishing people.
> About the chainring sticking out. A df wheel sticks out a similar
> distance as the chainrings on a SWB recumbent.

Nope, I owned a recumbent, and it most definitely was longer than my DF
bikes. Also, the wheels on my bikes tend to not be as sharp as a
chainring.

PS: Why the crosspost? Mine was in fun, but crossposting to the
recumbent group is just asking for a flamewar!

 

[Tom Sherman]

Former V-Rex Owner Rex Kerr wrote:
>> The Gods of RANS have a funny way of punishing people.
>> About the chainring sticking out. A df wheel sticks out a similar
>> distance as the chainrings on a SWB recumbent.
>
> Nope, I owned a recumbent, and it most definitely was longer than my DF
> bikes. Also, the wheels on my bikes tend to not be as sharp as a
> chainring.

Chain guards that cover the chainrings from approximately 12 o'clock to
6 o'clock (clockwise, looking at the drive side) are commercially
available for SWB recumbents, as long as the tooth count is not too large.

> PS: Why the crosspost? Mine was in fun, but crossposting to the
> recumbent group is just asking for a flamewar!

The subject was on-topic to more than one group. Furthermore, discussion
is fun. Usenet should not be boring.

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
"And never forget, life ultimately makes failures of all people."
- A. Derleth

 

[Rex Kerr]

Ryan Cousineau wrote:
>> That said, perhaps you're right. After years of injury free recumbent
>> ownership I get this from a stray recumbent!
>
> What drove your apostasy?

The fact that I enjoy riding my DF bikes much more and actually find
them to be more comfortable than my V-Rex was. That's me, and others
may disagree, but for now I'm a DF rider.

 

[Wilson Warmouth]

"Edward Dolan" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
>
> I don't think 'diamond frame' is a very good term for an upright bicycle.
> I think 'upright' is a far better term since it describes how you are
> seated on the bike. That is what matters, not how the bike is constructed.
>

I've done my best to explain to the Great Saint that one does not sit
upright on an upright bicycle seat if one is to be comfortable on an upright
bicycle. Is it possible that a Great Saint could be lacking cognitive
ability?

 

[Just A User]

Rex Kerr wrote:
>> The Gods of RANS have a funny way of punishing people.
>> About the chainring sticking out. A df wheel sticks out a similar
>> distance as the chainrings on a SWB recumbent.
>
> Nope, I owned a recumbent, and it most definitely was longer than my DF
> bikes. Also, the wheels on my bikes tend to not be as sharp as a
> chainring.
>
> PS: Why the crosspost? Mine was in fun, but crossposting to the
> recumbent group is just asking for a flamewar!

Why are you not a recumbent owner any longer? Did you stop riding
altogether? Or was the recumbent too fast for you in the flats? Just
joking. But seriously I have been riding recumbents now for a couple of
years and I own df bikes and they haven't left the garage in probably 6
months or more.

 

[Wilson Warmouth]

"Edward Dolan" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Wilson Warmouth" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>
>> "Edward Dolan" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>>
>>>
>>> I don't think 'diamond frame' is a very good term for an upright
>>> bicycle. I think 'upright' is a far better term since it describes how
>>> you are seated on the bike. That is what matters, not how the bike is
>>> constructed.
>>>
>>
>> I've done my best to explain to the Great Saint that one does not sit
>> upright on an upright bicycle seat if one is to be comfortable on an
>> upright bicycle. Is it possible that a Great Saint could be lacking
>> cognitive ability?
>
> Unless you posted to ARBR I did not see your message.
>
> It is understood that you sort of lean against the seat (saddle) with your
> weight evenly distributed between your butt, your legs and your arms.


Yes. This is the way thousands and thousands of men, women, and children
ride upright/diamond frame bikes in comfort for up to 100 miles or more in a
days time.


> However, that is for racers only. The rest of us sit on the god damn
> things and suffer accordingly. Ever notice how hybrid type of bikes have
> replaced road bikes for the general populace? That is because everyone is
> reconciled to sitting upright on saddles despite what racers do.


We are talking about recreational riders not racers, not supermen, not
superwomen, not superchildren. The Great Saint said he has ridden organized
cross-state rides so surely he must have noticed the diamond frame riders
around him riding in comfort. If an upright/diamond frame bike not properly
fitted or ridden correctly it will most likely be uncomfortable if ridden
for any length of time. The same can be said of some recumbents. Google
"recumbent butt" for confirmation. Bikes that are not properly fitted tend
to spend a lot of time garaged with their tires flat.

>
> Another interesting phenomenon is that recumbents are not exactly that
> either since you sit on them in a semi-recumbent position. But a recumbent
> racer may very well be in a full recumbent position on some very special
> racing recumbents. But they are totally impractical for general street
> use.
>


My recumbent bike, an Easy Racer GRR, is a refined design that has stood the
test of time. I find it completely practical for general street use. This
bike meets my needs and I desire no other recumbent bike.


> By the way, a bike saddle will cause all kind of groin problems sooner or
> later, especially if you ride for many hours every day. The medical
> literature is full of tales of woe of cyclists who have suffered serious
> injury in the groin area from too much cycling. This NEVER happens with a
> recumbent because you are seated on a proper seat, not a saddle. Alas, too
> late we get wise.
>

Not to be trite, but too much of a good thing can sometimes be way too much
of a good thing. It's unfortunate that someone didn't come up with the
name "woody bike" instead of "recumbent bike" (if you don't understand this
ask your physician about "men's health" and bike riding).

 

[Peter Clinch]

Wilson Warmouth wrote:

> Yes. This is the way thousands and thousands of men, women, and children
> ride upright/diamond frame bikes in comfort for up to 100 miles or more in a
> days time.

Comfort is a relative thing. The seat I'm sat in as I type this is one
I'd describe as quite comfy, but for just sitting in it's also the case
that it's considerably /less/ comfy than the easy chairs in my sitting
room. Of course, they're lousy for mouse and keyboard use, which is why
I don't use them at a computer, but in terms of seated comfort the easy
chairs are just /better/.

As long as the recumbent seat doesn't interfere with anything else you
need to do on the bike (like work the steering), it remains the case
that better is better.

But, as one can easily demonstrate with a decent work chair, "less
comfortable" does not equate to "uncomfortable" or "problematical".

I ride my 'bent on long distance rides primarily for reasons of greater
comfort and hence greater enjoyment over thr course of several hours,
but I still enjoyed myself on the DF tourer I used to have, and still
enjoy using my upright folder,

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email protected] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

 

[Rex Kerr]

Edward Dolan wrote:
> Rex Kerr must have an iron ass.

I may have to adopt this as a nickname.

> I have never heard of anyone who thought it was more comfy to sit on
a saddle than a proper seat. However, the thought also occurs to me that
he is most likely insane.

Yep, they undo the straps on my straight jacket long enough for me to
type a message or two a few times per day.

> I suspect the most comfy seat in his house is the toilet seat in the
bathroom.

For its purpose, yes. It works MUCH better than any other for that purpose.

> By the way (speaking of ****), what is this DF ****?

As explained by others, DF = diamond frame since one could draw a
diamond (almost parallelogram) between the top tube and chainstays vs.
downtube and seat stays.


That said, I've found road bikes with the handlebars properly placed at
seat height and a well worn Brooks saddle to be extremely comfortable.
When I sit on my most ridden Brooks my weight is so well distributed
that it actually feels quite soft, almost pillow like. The width of a
B17 is perfect for me. On my last tour with 10+ hours per day in the
saddle I found that I was resting on the steepest climbs (12%-14%) by
placing my foot on the guardrail and sitting on the saddle since it was
difficult to get off of the fully loaded bike on a steep hill. I felt
no immediate need to get off of the saddle!

On recumbents (I've ridden a few, and owned the V-Rex for about 5 years)
I could never seem to find the right position. My toes would get numb
with high bottom brackets, I'd be sitting in a pool of sweat, my glutes
would be numb from sitting on them while they're trying to work, etc.
Not to mention, the few times that I unexpectedly needed to get home
fast and took the train it was darn near impossible to get that thing
on/off the train!!

There were a few times when I preferred riding the recumbent. I loved
the low down feeling when descending and doing the twisties, it was
exhilarating. I also found them to be best when riding with slow
riders. When riding really slow I find that I put too much pressure on
a regular saddle and it does get uncomfortable more quickly. In those
cases, a big easy chair is more appropriate, but I don't often ride that
way, and when I do I just spend more time standing out of the saddle to
compensate.

Sorry, but they're just not for everybody! Perhaps lack of
marketing/availability isn't the only reason that they're not more common?

-Rex

 

[DennisTheBald]

yeah, I ride a SWB recumbent.

It has occurred to me that the chain ring is located on the leading
edge of my bike as it goes down the road, maybe I should sharpen the
teeth from time to time?

One time on RAGBRAI there was this non-rider with a video camera
kneeling right on the center line at the bottom of a pretty good hill
- I think it occurred to him as I crossed the line about 20' in front
of him going about 40

 

[Tom Sherman]

Edward Dolan wrote:
> ...
> I agree that Easy Racers got it right from the beginning. The only thing is
> that you need to get the seat laid back enough to get some of your weight
> off your butt. That cobra seat however was a disaster. Recumbents require
> foam seats for total comfort....

However, the Easy Racers Cobra seat is quite comfortable compared to the
pre-Cobra hard-shell seat (which even looked uncomfortable).

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
"And never forget, life ultimately makes failures of all people."
- A. Derleth

 

[[email protected]]

On Jan 15, 4:45 pm, DennisTheBald <[email protected]> wrote:
> yeah, I ride a SWB recumbent.
>
> It has occurred to me that the chain ring is located on the leading
> edge of my bike as it goes down the road, maybe I should sharpen the
> teeth from time to time?

Oh man, don't do it. I snagged my brand new wool jersey (only the
second time I've worn it) tonight when I put the bike away (and a DF
bike at that!) on the storage rack, and poked a nice hole on the front
of the jersey just below my belly button is :-(

Waaaaah!!!!!

 

[Wilson Warmouth]

> news:[email protected]...

> Edward Dolan wrote:

[....]
> I never found the Cobra seat at all comfortable. Easy Racers soon went to
> a mesh back seat with a foam base copied from RANS. Some like the hard
> shell seat because it gives you marginally a greater push on the pedals,
> but it is not worth it. [...]

The Great Saint is right about one thing. I have a Cobra seat for my Easy
Racer as well as an older RANS short back seat. The Cobra seat gives me mild
recumbent butt after an hour or so. I can walk off the RB in a few minutes,
but it will come back in another hour or less. The RANS seat is by far the
best choice for long distance riding.