Hi,
I am new both to this group and the world of bents. I would like to start riding again, but it
seems DFs don't work well for me. As a kid I used to ride a lot -- my Dad, once, had bought my
brother and I new Bianchi ten speeds for Christmas, the ones with the shifters at the ends of
the drops (which was a new thing then). Mine was the Bianchi green, and I was so upset. I'd
wanted a Stingray with a banana seat, goose-neck handle bars and a five-speed stickshift (in an
odd kind of way, that was probably closer to a recumbent). I was pretty young, couldn't even
reach the pedals of the Bianchi without blocks. I rode that bike for many years, though. It was
great. But then, when I was about 19 or 20, something changed. I wanted to get another bike for
riding to school and around town. (I don't remember what happened to the Bianchi, but I hadn't
had it for a few years). I bought a Peugeot, but couldn't ride it. I'd go hardly any distance at
all, and it was as if my body locked up. I'd have to down- shift eventually into first, even on
flat terrain. After a few days, I was going so slowly, I could walk faster. And certainly with
less pain. I've tried a several times since, and not much better (I have an old Volkscycle Mark
X gathering cobwebs on my porch). I don't know if it was adolescence, or what. I've been
thinking maybe a recumbent would work better for me. I have a small financial problem, however,
so I need to do this on the cheap. So, finally, I'm looking for advice, information,
suggestions, et al, on building a bent myself.
Thanks, Michael