Q. What is a recumbent?!?
A. The term Recumbent refers to the seating position and means: lying down. Or to be supine!
RECUMBENT: re cum bent (r&Mac178;-kîm2bõnt) adj. 1. Lying down, especially in a position of comfort or rest; reclining.re cum bence or re cum ben cy n. re cum bent ly adv.
2. Combining comfort and speed on a bicycle. Very fast, comfortable, different and cool! The bicycle for the next century!
3. A long and kind of stupid sounding term that we are stuck with, but continue using. It describes laid back and comfortable arm-chair bicycling.
Often referred to as: semi-recumbents, recliners, comfort-bikes, HPVs (Human Powered Vehicles) or bents as slang for recumbent. Most often recumbents have two wheels, sometimes three, recumbent tricycle, and sometimes four, as in a pedal car.
Q. Are they comfortable?
A. Recumbents are extremely comfortable. The seats are the most high-tech bicycle seats on the face of the planet. They are light, comfortable and made to sit on for many hours. They have full support for your buttocks and back. Seats are generally either a composite shell with foam and covering or a breathable mesh covered sling frame made of aluminum or steel or a hybrid of the two. You actually sit in the seat. The handlebars are either above the seat in front of your chest, known as above seat steering (ASS), or below the seat known as underseat steering (USS). Recumbent bicycles do away with neck, shoulder and wrist pain and offer a very comfortable ride unlike any other bicycle type that you have ever tried.
Q. How difficult are they to ride?
A. Recumbents can take a little time to get accustomed too, but they are generally within the realm of anybody who has ever ridden a bicycle. The balance, feel and handling all vary with the style of recumbent, as is so with upright bicycles. In less than an hour, most riders can be ready for the bike trail. Recumbent styles vary in difficulty to ride. Compacts with above-seat steering like the BikeE are easiest, next are the long and then short wheelbase bikes with above-seat steering. Under-seat steering bikes take more practice, though can be very comfortable.
Be aware that recumbents use different muscles, so even if a very fit upright rider will need a break-in period. The change-over is well worth it. Besides the added comfort, breathing is easier as you are not hunched-over and you have a perfect view of the road from your seated position.
Q. Do recumbents climb hills well?
A. Yes and no. A common myth is that recumbents dont climb hills well because you cannot stand on the pedals and some early recumbent models did not have adequate gearing to climb. Climbing on a recumbent requires a different technique, you must gear down and spin. You also need propler wide-range gearing and you need to develop your recumbent legs. Having a good seat to push your lower back into (for power) will also help. Maintaining an efficient spin takes some practice & conditioning, once mastered it takes less physical effort to climb hills. Depending on your riding style, your speeds can range from slightly slower to even faster than on a conventional bicycle. This depends on the individual rider as well as the type of bike that you are riding. Recumbents are more aerodynamic and are usually faster on the flats and rolling hills, so any time lost climbing can be made up for on the flats (the rubber-band effect).
Advanced racing cyclists are rarely faster on a recumbent unless it is a streamliner (fully faired bicycle). Regular folks can easily be faster providing they are on a performance recumbent. Also, weight is not as important as aerodynamics such as windscreen (Zzipper style fairings) and tailboxes (build your own, see RCN#44) provide.
Q. Are recumbents faster?
Yes and no. Performance is a hotly debated topic. Recumbents do hold all of the human-powered speed records. This is because they are aerodynamically superior to conventional bicycles; less frontal area means less wind resistance. The Lightning F-40 currently holds the Race Across America speed record of five days and one hour. Gardner Martin's Easy Racer Gold Rush ridden by Fast Freddie Markham was the winner of the Dupont Prize for breaking 65 m.p.h. You can currently buy production versions of these bicycles. Fairings for street use are common and optional equipment on most commercially built models. They protect you from rain, cold and wind with up to a 30% reduction in drag. The general rule for ideal conditions (reasonably flat terrain), is that a recumbent is about 10% faster than a conventional bike. With a fairing, it can range from 15%-25% faster. With a full body it can be even more, perhaps 40%? Recumbents for street use are not always faster than conventional bicycles.
Performance by Bike style
Compact (CWB)About the same as a cruiser or comfort bike.
Medium Wheelbase (MWB), Short Wheelbase (SWB), Long Wheelbase (LWB) About the same as a sport touring bike or hybrid. Add a fairing or tailbox and the bikes get faster. Above seat steering bikes are more aerodynamic and faster yet. Under-seat steering bikes are slower unless you add a fairing to improve aerodynamics. Really fast recumbents are the high-performance short wheelbase bikes (V-Rex, P-38, etc.), LWB above seat steering bikes like the Easy Racers and Rans Stratus or Velocity2.
Whether you will be faster is completely up to you, your conditioning and the type of recumbent that you ride. Many street-use recumbents are heavier than upright bikes. Your best bet is to do your homework and If your goal is performance and speed, be sure that you look for a recumbent designed for this purpose.
Q. Are recumbents heavier than upright bikes?
A. For the most part, yes. However, there are some ultra-light models such as the 22 pound ATP Vision R-45 SWB and the Lightning F-84 composite weighing in at 19 pounds. Recumbents generally have larger diameter or more frame tubes as well as a much larger seat. A quality enthusiast SWB will weigh in at 25-30 pounds. A quality LWB will weigh in at 26-35 pounds. Compacts are in between at 28-33 pounds. Beware of cheap entry level models weighing in excess of 40 pounds and some as high as 60 pounds.
Q. Can recumbents be seen in traffic?
Yes, recumbents are new and different, our experience has been that drivers notice recumbent bicycles, however, recumbents with a higher seating position may be better suited for riding in traffic than some of the low-slung designs. The use of proper safety devices such as safety flags and reflective devices is recommended. Recumbent bicycles are different, futuristic and they get noticed. Many riders feel they get more respect from motorists while on their recumbents.
Q. Are Recumbents safe?
Recumbents are safer than a conventional bicycle due to the low center of gravity, they stop faster. With many recumbent designs, brakes can be evenly applied to both wheels simultaneously providing more traction without throwing the rider over the handlebars. In crash situations, the rider goes down to the side absorbing the impact with the hip an leg rather than flying over the handlebars and absorbing the impact on you head and shoulder. Straight ahead vision is also better on a recumbent, however, rear view mirrors are necessary for proper rearward vision.
Most concerns over being too low disappear after few weeks on a recumbent, however, ride safely.
Q. Recumbent History
A. Space age technology? New type of bicycle? Not really, recumbent bicycle's actually go back as far as 1839 with the Macmillan Velocipede and the Challand Recumbent. In the years between 1933 and 1938, a series of events took place that changed bicycling history. A French second category professional track cyclist named Francois Faure rode the Velocar, a two wheeled recumbent bicycle designed and built by Charles Mochet, to record-shattering speeds breaking both the mile and kilometer records of the day. In Paris on July 7, 1933, Francis Faure broke the 20 year-old hour record of 44.247 km. by going 45.055 km. This created a storm of controversy within the U.C.I. (United Cycliste International), bicycle rating's governing body. The debate centered on whether the Velocar was a bicycle and were these records legal? In 1934 they ruled against the Mochet-Faure record, banning recumbent bicycles and aerodynamic devices from racing. Were U.C.I. members worried that the recumbent bicycle would displace the conventional design? Did they realize this would freeze bicycle and human-powered vehicle development for the next forty years? This is why bicycles of today look very similar to the Starley and Sutton Safety (upright/ conventional) of 1885. Just think where bicycle technology would be today if the U.C.I. decision had gone the opposite way.
Recumbents are gaining popularity by the day and year. What once was a really rare sight is now common place in certain parts of the country. There are finally some mass-marketers of recumbents, which has the prices dropping some, and there is more and more mainstream bicycle industry interest every year (the new Trek R200 SWB has just been unveiled).
Q. What are the different styles of recumbents?
A. The most noticeable difference between the different styles is the length of the bike. There are long wheel base (LWB), short wheel base (SWB), and compact long wheel base bikes (CWB).
CWB Compact have wheelbases of is 49" - 64". These bikes have the pedals behind the front wheels and usually low pedals, but the design utilizes a smaller diameter wheelset to keep it compact. They are similar in size/ length to an upright bike. The Compact is the recreational, city-bike, fitness-bike of the recumbent world. These bikes are the easiest bikes to learn on. They are responsive, stable, and with a higher seat- they are more visible in traffic, making great commuters. Taller riders may have a very rearward center of gravity (seek out those with XL size frames). Examples: BikeE and Rans Wave.
LWBLong wheelbase recumbents have a wheelbase of 65" - 71". These are the long touring recumbents that first became commercially available back in the early 1980s. Their ride is smooth, graceful, comfortable, and stable but due to their length, low speed maneuverability is a learned technique. They may be difficult to transport, but they are incredible to ride. Manufacturers produce models that come in either underseat or above-seat steering varieties and are world class touring bikes as well as being suited for daily commuting or recreational riding. Some can be very fast, the Easy Racer Gold Rush Replica Streamliner won the Dupont Prize for breaking 65 mph and now rests in the Smithsonian Institution. Examples: Longbikes/Ryan, Linear, Rans Stratus, Rans Gliss, Rans Tailind, Rans V2 and Easy Racer.
SWB Short wheelbase has a is 36" - 48" wheelbase with the front wheel tucked underneath the riders knees. They are light, agiile, quick handling, and they are easier to transport and store or haul. SWB models are lighter, more versatile and offer incredibly lively sports-car performance to the masses. Examples: Vision, Trek R200, S & B, Rans V-Rex, Rans Rocket, Lightning P-38 and Haluzak Horizon.
TrikesRecumbent trikes have rear wheel drive, two steered wheels up front and the rider sits low and in between the front wheel. These can be good for touring, commuting or high performance riding. These are sold mainly manufacturer direct and come from all over the world, though there are few US dealers/manufacturers.
TandemsRecumbent tandems are the ultimate equalizer for a couple or parends riding with children. They come in SWB and LWB style, underseat steering or above seat. Examples: Rans Screamer (SWB), Double Vision (SWB), Greenspeed (tandem/ trike), Longbikes/Ryan Duplex (LWB)
Other differences include USS: under-seat steering vs. ASS: above seat steering. Under-seat is more comfortable, upright is more natural and can be found on more performance oriented bikes.
Q. How many gears do I need?
A. Where do you ride? If you live in Kansas and rarely climb a hill, 7 or 14 speeds is perfectly adequate. If you live in Washington, climb mountain passes or tow children in a bike trailer, you will need wide-range gearing with 21, 24, 27 or up to 63-speeds (over-kill for most people). Since you cannot stand on your pedals for power so you can gear-down and spin. Low, low gears for climbing and high, high gears for improved recumbent downhill and flatland performance.
Q. Are components/parts difficult to find?
A. No. Recumbents use a mix of road, mountain and BMX parts which are, for the most part, readily available. The most common recumbent tire sizes are the 700c road size, 26 MTB and 20 406mm BMX. These can be found anywhere. More rare sizes are the 305mm and 349mm BikeE 16 wheel sizes found at recumbent and BikeE dealers. The 451mm high performance 20 must be ordered from a recumbent specialist or manufacturer that offers the tire such as Easy Racers and BIkeE. If you have a rare size front tirebe sure to keep a spare tire at home and a spare tube with you at all times.
Recumbents generally have longer chains2-3 standard chains put together. This is not a problem. It is important to dial-in your chain to its proper length and keep it clean as replacement can be expensive.
Q. How do I find a recumbent dealer?
A. Many recumbent specialists advertise in Recumbent Cyclist News. You may also want to look in your phone book and call the recumbent manufacture for a dealer lead (IMPORTANT: be sure to ask if they have any in stock). Recumbents are sometimes sold manufacturer direct mail order and there are dealers who specialize in mail order recumbent sales. Rans, Vision, BikeE and others publish dealer lists at their internet sites. Calling manufacturers is another good way to find a local dealer.
Q. How long does it take to get up to speed with a recumbent?
A. Since it takes time to develop new leg muscles it will depend on many miles your ride and what cross-training activities you do. It also depends on your personal fitness level and even what type of bike you ride. With a Compact, you will be acclimated in a week or so, with SWB, it could take two to four weeks. A trained athlete once said they didnt see any benefits to a recumbent for three months and three thousand miles. The higher the bottom bracket/pedals, the longer the learning curve is.
Q. How much do recumbents cost?
A. Recumbents start at around $650 for a real entry level enthusiast recumbent, that by the way, is capable of riding across the USA. Entry level SWB models such as start at $800--$1200. Expect to pay $1500-$2000+ for a serious enthusiast machine and can go as high as your creativity can take you. There are companies that will custom spec a bike from the nuts and bolts on up.
Q. Why a recumbent?
A. Comfort, speed, individuality.... Their design boundaries have no limits set-forth on us by the stagnant bicycle industry. And then there is the about the diversity of the recumbent riding crowd! Homebuilders and F-40 racers hangin together. Easy Racers riding along side Visions, V-Rex along side Longbike/Ryans, doctors riding with mechanics with magazine publishers and bike shop owners. And riders crossing the spectrum of ages, sex, race, ethnicity and socio-economic status. RECUMBENT riders do not follow the crowdthey are eagles soaring above the crowds; individualists taking great personal freedom in their choice of bicycles. RECUMBENT and proud of it.
Q. How can I find out about individual recumbent manufacturers and models?
A. The Recumbent Cyclist News yearly buyers guide has an accurate list of bike manufacturers, models, specs and prices. RCN also road tests, reviews and rates current models. The most commonly made mistake in recumbent selection is lack of education, so get educated! Many recumbent manufacturers have web sites and dealer lists.
Q. Where can I find out more about recumbents?
Your best bet is the Recumbent Cyclist News Buyers Guides and regular issues. Recumbent Cyclist News. The address is: PO, Box 58755 Renton, WA 98058 Email:
NOTES:
All recumbent styles offer equal performance.
Recumbent seats vary widely in the amount of comfort they offer.
Stick to component names that you know and trust.
Get Educated and learn all about recumbents before you buy.
With the mainstreaming of recumbents there are many new manufacturers out there. Talk to recumbent riders, read RCN and find out which bikes are considered the best for your intended use. A $2000 mistake is expensive.
Do your homework reasearching recumbent prices. Two 1999 models had their prices recuced over 20%. This makes a new bike about the same price as a used bike.
Glossary:
ABOVE-SEAT STEERING (ASS): Handlebars above the seat, knees or frame-Above-Seat-Steering. A standard bicycle type steering similar to that of a hot rod/Stingray type bicycle of the 60s.
ALUMINUM: AL, or Alum. A lightweight ductible, tarnish resistant material.
BAR-ENDS: Handlebar extensions most often used on USS bikes to bring the controls closer to the rider.
Bottom bracket: (BB) pedal axle & bearings, sometimes called boom-bracket.
BRAZING: A frame joint is created by flowing brass around the tubing junctures. Builders then either file/sand the joints smooth or leave them natural.
CARBON-FIBER: A high tech, high strength composite material that is black in color.
C.G.: Center-of-gravity
CHAIN-IDLER: A modified skateboard wheel, derailleur pulley or custom-made wheel that carries the chain slack on SWB and some LWB models.
COMPACT: CLWB or MWB recumbent
COROPLAST: Plasticized cardboard that works great for homebuilt recumbent fairings
CLWB: Compact Long Wheelbase 47-60.
CroMo: Chrome-moly steel.
DELTA: Two-wheels in the rear trike design.
DOM: Drawn-over-madrel. This is a type of higher quality HiTen steel.
FWD: Front Wheel Drive
GEAR INCHES: Formula used to determine range of gears: front chainring divided by rear cog multiplied by drive wheel dia.
GRIP SHIFT: A trademark of the SRAM Corp. A brand of twist-grip shifter.
HiTen Steel: High tension or mild steel.
HPV: Human Powered Vehicle.
INDIRECT STEERING: Underseat steering via a rod linkage that connects the handlebar to the fork.
KEVLAR: A high strength, bulletproof composite material that is gold in color.
LWB: Long wheelbase 60"-71"+ (crankset low and behind front wheel).LOW-RACER: A SWB recumbent built as low as possible for HPV racing (may exceed our wheelbase range for a SWB).
MAGURA: A high quality, strong German hydraulic caliper brake.
MID-DRIVE: A mid-ship mounted, wide-ratio, two-chain drive freewheel shifted by a rear derailleur.
MTB: A dated abbreviation for mountain bike.
MWB: The same as CLWB. Formerly used to describe longer SWB bikes.
NEXUS: Shimanos internal 4/7 speed hubs.
PEDAL STEER: Pedal-induced steering input that makes the bike more difficult to track straight. This generally happens on SWB models with wheelbases of less than 39 or a very laid back head tube angle.
RCN: Recumbent Cyclist News founded by Robert J. Bryant in 1990.
RWS: Rear-Wheel Steering.
SWB: Short-Wheelbase 33"-47" (crankset high and in ahead of front wheel).
TIG WELDING: Tungsten-Inert-Gas; a proven no-lug process common with MTBs.
SACHS 3 X 7: This is the Sachs Internally geared three speed with 7-spd. freewheel (21 speed total).
STEERING ROD: The steel or aluminum rod that connects the fork to the bars.
STEERING STRUT-RISER: An ASS extension that rises from the stem or head tube to raise the bars over the legs.
TADPOLE: Two-wheel in the front trike design.
UNDERSEAT STEERING (USS): Steering via handlebars beneath the seat.
V-BRAKE: A new and strong style of cantilever brake the has high arms in a V formation.
X-SEAM: A measurement used for recumbent fitting. This measurement simulates the distance between the seat back/base out to the farthest reach of the pedal stroke.
ZZIPPER: A Lexan fairing by Zzip Design.
