Recumbent bikes?

[AndyDRZ]

Hello,
Edit to add - I mean trike not bike.

Just curious... I see a guy riding down the A4 between reading and twyford most evenings when I have to head that way.

I watched him last week as he tried to get himself killed.

At a mini roundabout, the cars slowed and he decided to overtake them (Not between car and kerb but an actual overtake) We didn't notice him overtaking until he was in front as he was below my mirror height.

He was just passed the car in front of me when the traffic started moving again and he was left in a dangerous position as he was in the middle of the road.

He then decided that this was all the fault of the car behind him (Who could have undertaken but politely waited) He expressed his "victim" mentallity by slamming his brakes on and stopping in the middle of the road.

He was lucky he wasn't taken out as the car behind was an old classic without ABS or anything - he then starts shouting and swearing at them like it was the car drivers fault.


So, whats the deal with these recumbent bikes - I've seen this guy a few times and he normally has a huge queue of traffic behind him as he commutes and takes up a lot more road than a normal bike. He is also a lot harder to see as he is so low down...and from the above experience, the bike is too wide to undertake the traffic when it slows down and this also puts the rider in danger.

Why does someone pick this bike over a normal road bike ?

Also, is it mandatory to be a c*ck or is this guy the exception to the rule?

Thanks.

Edited by AndyDRZ on Friday 17th December 16:12

[scubadude]

Sounds like a complete plank and would have been equally dangerous on a DF bike to me...

I ride a recumbent (2 wheeled) on the road in exactly the same way my upright friends do, I'm not sure a trike is suitable for our narrow UK roads frankly, fun as they might be.

FWIW I find being on a recumbent I'm far MORE visible, perhaps the neon 6ft high flag and whole back of the bike being decked out in 3M tape helps? As much as anything I think people tend to slow down and look when they see something odd :-)

I can't speak for the plonker in question as to why he rides a 'bent, for me its because I suffer mega back pain after even 5mins on a "normal" bike, despite years of phiso (old Rugby injury, I can't lean even slightly forward, supported or not), maybe he has a medical reason or perhaps just more money than sense? :-)

Edited by scubadude on Monday 20th December 10:09

[DrMekon]

I think filtering on any lowrider recumbent is asking for trouble.

I'd ride a trike on the road, but I'd fit ridiculous lights to ensure visibility. That said, my commute is on rural roads. I suspect they'd be grim in heavy traffic.

[Raven Flyer]

At least motorist won't consider him a cyclist and tar us with the same brush.

Darwin will sort him out.

[toxgobbler]

AndyDRZ said:

Hello,
Edit to add - I mean trike not bike.

Just curious... I see a guy riding down the A4 between reading and twyford most evenings when I have to head that way.

I watched him last week as he tried to get himself killed.

At a mini roundabout, the cars slowed and he decided to overtake them (Not between car and kerb but an actual overtake) We didn't notice him overtaking until he was in front as he was below my mirror height.

He was just passed the car in front of me when the traffic started moving again and he was left in a dangerous position as he was in the middle of the road.

He then decided that this was all the fault of the car behind him (Who could have undertaken but politely waited) He expressed his "victim" mentallity by slamming his brakes on and stopping in the middle of the road.

He was lucky he wasn't taken out as the car behind was an old classic without ABS or anything - he then starts shouting and swearing at them like it was the car drivers fault.


So, whats the deal with these recumbent bikes - I've seen this guy a few times and he normally has a huge queue of traffic behind him as he commutes and takes up a lot more road than a normal bike. He is also a lot harder to see as he is so low down...and from the above experience, the bike is too wide to undertake the traffic when it slows down and this also puts the rider in danger.

Why does someone pick this bike over a normal road bike ?

Also, is it mandatory to be a c*ck or is this guy the exception to the rule?

Thanks.

Edited by AndyDRZ on Friday 17th December 16:12

Nice to know it's not just me to think this guy is suicidal and a danger to other road users.

[Johnnytheboy]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but I saw one of these today near my place - but a two-wheeled one.

I was just wondering if anyone could explain what the advantage of one is over a normal bike.

As far as I could tell the rider was making rather heavy work of it, and it struck me that they must be a sod to accelerate/climb hills in as your body weight isn't aiding you in pushing on the peddles, instead I suppose you are pushing against your seat back. I just can't imagine trying to cycle up a hill while pushing horizontally in the direction of travel, it must be exhausting.... isn't it?

[Omaruk]

I thinks it's a case of hills bad but the aero efficiency good.

[DrMekon]

If you can spin, they seem okay. My sense is that for extreme endurance (ie 600km events and above), it's easier to avoid contact point problems with them. However, it's worth watching some of Jim Verheul's videos to see what they can do on hills.

http://vimeo.com/user2168726

I've ridden a bunch (Bachetta, Trice, HPVelo, Catrike, etc), but can't justify one, as I don't need one. Whenever I see one on the road, it strikes me what a plum the rider looms, but they are a right laugh to ride fast.

[Johnnytheboy]

DrMekon said:

Whenever I see one on the road, it strikes me what a plum the rider looms, but they are a right laugh to ride fast.

That's what I kind of thought. If you could maintain speed they'd be fine.

[scubadude]

Johnnytheboy said:

I was just wondering if anyone could explain what the advantage of one is over a normal bike.

Fast- on flat and downhill with practice are pretty much uncatchable.
Comfortable- Very, good for back pain sufferers, also for distance rides where even a well set up DF rider starts to ache the 'bent rider can keep piling the miles on.
Vision- can see infront of you without bending your neck backwards ala DF
Aero- stock 'bent riding position is equal to DF race bike if full aero tuck, performance 'bents can have more aerodynamic position than full tri-bar bike. Fully faired recumbents (Velomobiles) can cruise at car speeds with ease!!

Johnnytheboy said:

As far as I could tell the rider was making rather heavy work of it, and it struck me that they must be a sod to accelerate/climb hills in as your body weight isn't aiding you in pushing on the peddles, instead I suppose you are pushing against your seat back.

There is a good 500-1000miles of learning for the new 'bent rider, you use different muscles to a degree and there is alot of techniques to learn.

Uphill/Acceleration is actually no problem (for the very reason you state) on a DF bike you're limited by your weight/gravity and techniqe to the force you can put on the pedals, on a 'bent you can push against the seat and proportionally put far more force into the pedals- so much in fact that you must be careful not to hurt your knees when you start off!
(Try to think of it like the leg-press down the gym, even a weakling can leg press 1/4 tonne!)

Johnnytheboy said:

I just can't imagine trying to cycle up a hill while pushing horizontally in the direction of travel, it must be exhausting.... isn't it?

No.... 'bents are generally heavier due to longer frames, more chain and less developement thanks to the UCI. Climbing is mostly about the rider, power to weight and techniqe- No, you can't stand on the pedals but you can sit and spin in comfort and will make up for it on the decent/flat to follow.

If you get the chance to try one they are well worth a go and a good laugh, plus they leave little "wake" for DF riders to slipstream in.


As for looking like a plum... have you seen a lycra clad roadie wiggling his girly backside up a steep climb? Not sure any cyclist looks "cool" to be honest, just a bunch of different ways to pedal.

BEN