Recumbent bikes

Has anyone any experience they would like to share on riding recumbent bikes?

Mountainmonkey's other half has one, sure they'd be willing to share some advice, otherwise I can only recommend the forum they used to buy theirs which was

http://www.bentrideronline.com/

At least unicycles have a home in a circus.

I used to borrow one quite often, and it was great fun! This was an underseat steering one, with an optional fairing. I forget the maker.

Plus side;
Comfort
Speed
Fun
Grin factor
Ability to cover immense distances

Negative side;
Not too hot on really steep hills (No ability to get out of the saddle and honk it up!)
Visibility. It's an issue, and no mistake. Get something up in the air like a flag, or a small light LED somehow and use it at all times.
Storage and portability – They're great when you're riding them, less so when you're off them! Rather cumbersome!

If you've got room for one, and live somewhere with decent, not too steep roads to ride on, they're great fun! I still have a hankering to have one for blasting around Salisbury Plain. Am thinking something with a tough touring type tyre which could take on the fire roads as well….

The UK equivalent is http://www.bhpc.org.uk
There's also ihpva.org, dunno how much mail list activity there is now, but like bentrideronline.com (what a name…) it's more US-centric

I've got two, a Speedmachine (underseat steered):
http://hpvelotechnik.com/produkte/spm/index_e.html

and a rather older version than this, of a Hurricane:
http://www.challengebikes.com/publichtml/index.php?language=en&selection=semilowracers-hurricane2009-en

Not the best choice of names ! – neither are light (16kg+), and yeah, hills are just a case of get in the right gear and churn away.
Challenge do their SL (superlight) range of some models, they're more like about ~20lbs depending on model.

Visibility isn't really an issue – or at least, anyone coming up from behind usually gives a width berth 'cos they dunno what it is. Not great for filtering (or at least those I've got) – tho' there is some footage on youtube of a guy filtering nr Hyde Park – see link near the bottom of this thread from a while back:
http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/recumbents-anyone-tied-one-got-one

There's several variants, long/short wheelbase, high/low/mid racer, under/overseat steered (overseat can be tiller or bars). Then there's recumbent trikes too.

I had a feet-forward motorcycle, and the visibility is an issue – I can also imagine the inability to stand on the pedals are a problem.

Not mine, but I've ridden it:

http://www.voidstar.com/bff/images/bruce250.jpg

And did take this photo – zx1100 engine in the back…:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7gYNb3GSh4M/SJ9FylQbWBI/AAAAAAAAFbw/keTUnWMxrfI/s400/slug.jpg

I almost bought one of these

One of the guys in BT where I did my apprenticeship had a Quasar (ie the orange thing) briefly – tho' he did change bikes/cars like some people change their socks…

>I can also imagine the inability to stand on the pedals are a problem.

Not generally a huge one, but you do have to change your riding style to suit.

Some more feet-forward m/c pics here :
http://www.tonyfoale.com/ – see gallery

As Tiboy says, my hubby has one and loves it. It's all a bit beyond me (I've never even had a go!), but I'm sure he'd be only too happy to answer any questions you have. I'll email you his email address now – I'll ask him to send you a link to the review he wrote of his a few months back too. Cheers!

I see one regularly on the road, you literally can't see him until the last minute! Brave man to ride that in todays crazy traffic!!

>(I've never even had a go!),

The lower they are, the harder they are to ride initially – it's like balancing a wooden spoon on your hand vs a broom stale. Tillers are a bit trickier because the steering movement feels unnatural compared to a normal bike.
Also takes a while to relax and not wobble off-line, and the muscles are used slightly differently so it takes a few hundred miles to get your 'recumbent legs'.

jond's right – it's quite funny watching Mr. MM's mate's having a go – they always surprised at how hard it is! (His is tiler steering) Mr. MM picks things up very quick so makes it look very easy!

Thanks all for your thoughts/jibes. I will have a look at the web pages and follow-up in the next couple of days.
EarbyPhil

Wiggle do an accessory kit which includes a beard, slippers, pipe and one of those 10 foot long whip flags so the HGV's can take aim. All for 50p

😉

To put the record straight I *do* indeed have a beard, I *am* a member of CAMRA…but I don't have either the beer belly or SPD-sandals (!) that seems to be more common on t'other side of the Pond !