Recumbent Expert (I ride the fastest production bike in the world!!) Shoot me your questions!

[Billyidol]

Hey all,<br /><br />I'm new here.&nbsp; I've been riding and racing road and mountain bikes for years.&nbsp; I got into recumbents about 15 years ago and I know a lot about them.&nbsp; I'm available to answer any questions for you.&nbsp; I have ridden a lot of recumbents, but not all of them.&nbsp; I have experience with Lightning, Easy Racers, Bike E, Quest Velomobile, Bacchetta Corsa, CarBent and more.<br /><br />My favorite recumbent is the Lightning F40 fully faired racing recumbent.&nbsp; Here is the link to the manufacturer:&nbsp; http://lightningbikes.com/f40/index.html and no I don't gain any from you buying one.&nbsp; I'm just an ecstatic owner.&nbsp; I fly by a lot of the road racers on the Lightning F40.&nbsp; By far, the funnest bike I've ever ridden.&nbsp; This bike is a human powered rocket!&nbsp; The feeling of riding a faired bicycle when headed to 30 mph on your own power is indescribable.&nbsp; When I get my van, I may bring a Lightning recumbent with me.<br /><br />I'm not much into bashing regular road bikes because it is not an "us" vs "them" situation.&nbsp; All bikes are good.<br /><br />If you have any questions about recumbents, ask here.<br /><br />John<br /><br />PS&nbsp; I think a good starter recumbent that would be good for most people would be the Lightning Phantom.

 

[offroad]

Like the idea of it. How do you make sure you are seen? &nbsp;Do you have a flag on a pole? &nbsp;A flashing light at night? &nbsp;My concern is you could get run down by stupid drivers. What of riding in bad weather like snow storm or rain storm?&nbsp;

 

[cyndi]

hey John! I have a couple of questions.<br /><br />I've been looking at recumbent trikes for a couple of reasons, mostly my hands, arms, shoulders, back and balance issues. Boy! Are they pricey! I've googled and googled but haven't found any place that sells used models. Is there a site or a forum with classifieds you can point me to?<br /><br />I really don't know what I am looking for. It has to be light weight, so I can lift it onto a cargo hitch. Are there fold-able/collapsible models?<br /><br />If I knew more, I would probably have more questions. I don't have a budget, really. But I am pretty frugal and being as this would be somewhat experimental I wouldn't want to spend a ton of money.&nbsp;<br /><br />Which brings me to another question. When shopping on line, I noticed that many of the bikes I've looked at are built to order. I'd really need to test drive anything I purchased. Is this a possibility?&nbsp;<br /><br />Since I'll be traveling, location is not necessarily an issue. Are there shops you are familiar with that you would feel comfortable giving them a shout out?<br /><br />Thanks!<br />&nbsp;

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;I'm just gonna butt in here, seeing as what I've got to say might be germane, but carefully consider WHERE you plan to ride your bike and plan accordingly. I have a VERY early Varna SWB USS recumbent and, let me tell ya, it's a nightmare trying to ride it on a rutted dirt road with a variable grade. I'm gonna be tearing it apart, lengthening it and converting to ASS steering. I might even convert it to a delta trike.<br />&nbsp;A few years ago I also built a CLWB ASS LBB recumbent and found that to be a pretty sweet ride, despite despite getting the outseam measurement wrong, and it seemed rather more 'intuitive' to ride. Friends of mine who wanted to try it were pedaling merrily away in no time flat, whereas the SWB Varna is/was a TOTALLY different proposition; at least it isn't far to fall.&nbsp;<br />.. Willy.&nbsp; &nbsp;

 

[hyperslug]

That is one cool bike! I can hear the sound of my skull cracking as I type. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" />

 

[Seraphim]

Welcome to another 'bent rider!

Friends own a recumbent shop north of Cincinnati in Fairfield. You might know Larry Varney, if you've been in the community that long. He hangs around the Cyclery.

Hope to get a chance to swap stories with you sometime.

So, you ride a NoCom? *grin*

 

[Seraphim]

Hey Willy

Started with a used Sun tadpole that I converted to a 700c rear wheel. It was a great trike for rougher terrain - no mountain bike... Great clearance. Got cajoled into selling it to friend. The current CT7 is strictly a paved road machine. Use a mid racer knockoff for rougher terrain, now.

Anyone got pictures?

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Hmm do they make them for 6'4 fatties?&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/rofl.gif" />&nbsp; No seriously, I look at that video and all i keep thinking is my knees will crack the handle bars and my size 15 feet will hit the little wheel in front if i turn it at all (which seems to happen in the normal course of riding).<br /><br />How hard are they to pedal compared to a regular bike without the downward force, especially going up an incline?&nbsp; I love riding my bike but haven't in a while because the pain on my hip/knee/inner thigh afterward will knock me out for days, so this looks more comfortable (maybe harder on knees tho).&nbsp;

 

[Seraphim]

DG

There is a very wide selection of bent bikes - an entry level trike with adjustable seat might work well for you. Steep Inclines rgenerally equire a low (granny) gear. You won't go fast in most cases, but you'll beat the hill..

Some bents do very well on inclines, though. Mostly depends on the rider, I think.

Billy might be able to suggest others.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Now that one seems more my style, nothing in the way of my big ole legs and clodhoppers <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" /> <br /><br /><br />Whew, this hobby might be out of my price range though.&nbsp;

 

[offroad]

so where did John - Bill go?

 

[Billyidol]

Hey all,<br /><br />Actually, I rode with Larry Varney for about a week last summer during ROAM (Roll Over America).&nbsp; This was a gathering of velomobiles (fully faired trikes), I didn't get my Carbon Quest in time, so I took my Lightning F40.&nbsp; I'm glad I did.&nbsp; I hated that Carbon Quest.&nbsp; Why?&nbsp; It is a trike so when I rode on a road that was canted, my right shoulder was rammed into the right sidewall.&nbsp; Trikes can't bank, the 2 wheeled F40 can.&nbsp; Big difference.&nbsp; The other big difference was the seat angle.&nbsp; I liked a fairly upright seat angle, and the Quest was fairly laid back.&nbsp; I never got used to the Quest.&nbsp; Also, I have a leg length discrepancy.&nbsp; The Quest has rear suspension.&nbsp; So when I rode it, it bobbed all of the time.&nbsp; I sold the Quest that was only 3 months old for a $2000 loss.&nbsp; <br /><br />@Cyndi, I'm not that expert in trikes.&nbsp; Although when I went to my local bent store BentUpCycles in North Hollywood, CA, I was impressed with the Cattrike Villager and Cattrike Trail.&nbsp; I have to tell you that I think that it is critical to get a recumbent or trike with an adjustable seat angle.&nbsp; You might say that "it doesn't matter", but after your first 20 mile ride, you are going to realize that it does matter.&nbsp; Another option that you might consider is that Lightning has a Quad bike now.&nbsp; This is the regular Phantom with outrigger wheels that act as "training wheels".&nbsp; What is cool about that is that you can take them off later and ride as a recumbent.&nbsp; Also, there is a few foldable trikes, but I don't know there names.&nbsp; I'd stay away from trikes.&nbsp; They are heavy and slow.&nbsp; Also, they are very wide, which can make is dangerous in narrow bike roads.&nbsp; But then again, the Lightning Quad would be sorta wide too.&nbsp; But I like that the Quad is much higher and visible than the trikes.&nbsp; I bought my wife a Sun EZ1 for $320 off of craigslist, she loves it.&nbsp; Where do you buy used?&nbsp; www.bentrideronline.com and www.recumbents.com, and searchtempest.com and type in your desired bike.&nbsp; Also, www.hostelshoppe.com has recumbent and trike classifieds.<br /><br />Also, there is a trike rack where you don't have to lift much.&nbsp; www.hitchrider.com<br /><br />John<br /><br />

 

[Willy]

Here's mine, at present. I've got 2, so I'm getting rid of this one and chopping up the other. Figure I'll cut the main tube right behind the head tube and before the seat pivot, at a 45 deg angle, and flip it over + rotate 180 deg. Should give me a reasonably long wheelbase with a more laid back head angle. A bit more trail in the forks and apehangers and I'm set. The frame will adjust lengthwise at the middle, using the boom clamps.Thinking of running a long tube with a wooden reinforcing insert down the middle, one end secured to the rear and the other running inside the boom tube, and as far as it will go both ways. This should stiffen the frame up somewhat.<br /><br />&nbsp;Another thing I'm looking into, cuz I'm lazy and don't have a welder, is one of those bolt-on delta rear ends that can be picked up off ebay for $150 or so. They're chromed (YUCK!!) but can be sandblasted and painted. I'm looking at the old Shwinn semi enclosed ones that takes a conventional bike rim. ..Willy.

 

[cyndi]

Thanks, John! I'm looking at the websites now and will book mark them &nbsp;for the future.<br /><br />

 

[Seraphim]

Cyndi

The Catrikes offer the best value: you can pay more without getting anything more in return. TerraTrike makes nice entry level trikes at a lower price. Old Sun EZTads can be had cheaply, they are good trikes, but are heavier. Not an issue unles you're going for speed.

 

[cyndi]

<br />thanks, Jerry!I'll look at those, too!<br /><br />

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;Here's what I was talking about re. a trike kit:&nbsp; http://www.ebay.com/itm/26-Tricycle...rts_Accessories&amp;hash=item41692ff447&nbsp; Now to see if the link will work..

 

[Roadworthy]

I wouldn't pay $6300 for a recumbent bike/trike unless you know for sure you love them, and you'll be a very serious biker. You can always pay that much and a lot more for fancy bikes, fancy sewing machines, fancy etc. etc. But that's not for newbies, that's for serious enthusiasts. With money. Or the ability/willingness to make payments.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

For that much dough I'd want a motor on it.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Years ago I had a high end mtn bike that I got cheap. It was cool and all that, but I only used it for normal daily riding. The bike I just bought in Q for $40 with new tires, gears and old school handlebars so I can sit up straight. Its a nicely built with lug joints. Its sturdy enough to last a guy like me a long time.

I can understand those with a passion tho. Many times in my life I've gone to extremes with my desires.
So, ride what you like and enjoy.