I've been thinking of trying to build myself a recumbent from the "bentech" plans - the building part sounds good fun, as does the outcome (although my access to workjshops att the mo is limited, so I may cheat and get some of the welding done for me :-)). However, I have had very limited experience of riding 'bents. I'd feel guilty trying them out at a LBS, as even if I was converted I wouldn't be buying from there. Does anyone know of somewhere in central london where could hire on for a day or so to get a feel?
Building a recumbent without work shop facilities is going to take you a long long time. I built my fully suspended folding recumbent trike 10 years ago using a kit supplied by the great trike designer Nick Andrews. I had to make the fibreglass main components myself------as nobody would make them for me. It took me 5 months to build. It has done 15000 -25000 miles in several European countries where it is usually my sole means of transport. Just back from 3 weeks triking in Berlin. Living with my recumbent-------. It weighs 20 kilo s and is awkward to move when you stop cycling.I lock mine with 2 locks under a [censored] polythene cover. Disadvantages Needs a lot of storage space. Its very expensive to build/buy--you are talking £100 less tyre for a D-I-Y front wheel £150 for a Sachs 7x3 rear-£200 for a Nexus 8. Advantages I have no balance so its a trike or overwight short life-I have neuron disease. Its totally reliable-no mechanical breakdowns-2 punctures. Its very robust-hit by a bus in Berlin-driver turned left without looking-I would have been killed on an upright rather than my offside hub being shattered. Its extremely comfortable thanks to its fabric seat. Tam
