Recumbent bicycles · Public discussion

Myths about recumbents

Started by Mike · · Last activity · 24 posts · 1,860 views

Thread navigation

Jump through the discussion

Go to the original post, the replies on this page, or the latest preserved contribution.

Thread details

What we know about this thread

Original section
Recumbent bicycles
Published
9 July 2003
Last activity
16 July 2003
Original author
Mike
Posts
24
Discussion status
Public discussion
Total views
1,860
Views / 30 days
0

The navigation and discussion metadata provide context. Posts remain in their original chronological order.

Showing posts 1–20 of 24
Posts remain in their original chronological order.

Text size
  1. I was in Montreal this last weekend. The city has over 150 miles of bike path. I contacted a few
    rental places to see if I could rent a bent. They all told me that we don't rent those the cars
    can't see them. I told them that it was not true, as a matter of fact they draw too much attention.
    I have people in cars stopping all the time and asking me about the bike, or telling me that they
    own a bent too.

    In Montreal I ended up renting a DF and after riding 35 miles, the pain reminded me of why I got a
    bent in the first place.

    When I got home I kneeled down beside of my Baccetta Strada and Kissed the frame.🙂 Praise the Lord
    that I live in a time where Recument bikes are availible.

    The week before I was leading a bike ride for a recreational club that I belong to. I had the Strada
    and the only bent. One guy said "how do you handle the limitations of that bike" I replied ya it has
    limitations all right it's a lot faster than your bike so I have been riding the brakes so you can
    keep up.🙂 Got him on that one.🙂

    I get a lot of is it hard to balance, I tell them after you get adjusted to the bike it's better
    than a DF, lower center of gravity.

    I also hear is it comfortable, I say YA it sure is, best chair with wheels that I own.🙂

    I also hear bents are superior to DF's but they would never ride one because it looks weird. I say
    Oh you want to be in pain so you don't look weird does that make sense.

    Well I had to share.🙂

  2. I am not sure you can rent a bent in Toronto either...Kitchener-Waterloo and Ottawa are the only 2
    places I know of who rent bents...maybe in London too.
    ----------------------------------------
    "Mike" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:SdMOa.14369$ye4.13447@sccrnsc01...

    Quoted message said:

    I was in Montreal this last weekend. The city has over 150 miles of bike path. I contacted a few
    rental places to see if I could rent a bent. They all told me that we don't rent those the cars
    can't see them. I told them that it was not true, as a matter of fact they draw too much
    attention. I have people in cars stopping all the time and asking me about the bike, or telling me
    that they own a bent too.

    In Montreal I ended up renting a DF and after riding 35 miles, the pain reminded me of why I got a
    bent in the first place.

    When I got home I kneeled down beside of my Baccetta Strada and Kissed the frame.🙂 Praise the
    Lord that I live in a time where Recument bikes are availible.

    The week before I was leading a bike ride for a recreational club that I belong to. I had the
    Strada and the only bent. One guy said "how do you handle the limitations of that bike" I replied
    ya it has limitations all right it's a lot faster than your bike so I have been riding the brakes
    so you can keep up.🙂 Got him on that one.🙂

    I get a lot of is it hard to balance, I tell them after you get adjusted


    to

    Quoted message said:

    the bike it's better than a DF, lower center of gravity.

    I also hear is it comfortable, I say YA it sure is, best chair with wheels that I own.🙂

    I also hear bents are superior to DF's but they would never ride one


    because

    Quoted message said:

    it looks weird. I say Oh you want to be in pain so you don't look weird


    does

    Quoted message said:

    that make sense.

    Well I had to share.🙂

  3. Quoted message said:

    Joshua Goldberg at [email hidden] wrote on 7/8/03 11:57 PM: I am not sure you can rent a
    bent in Toronto either...Kitchener-Waterloo and Ottawa are the only 2 places I know of who rent
    bents...maybe in London too.

    There are NO bent rentals in London, Ontario. I ran a recumbent event a month ago and checked every
    local bike store for availability. Currently one store sells bents and has floor models for
    test-rides. Another will custom order an Evox. That's it. I occasionally lend out spare bents and I
    have events were people test-ride bents.

  4. Mike said:

    I was in Montreal this last weekend. The city has over 150 miles of bike path. I contacted a few
    rental places to see if I could rent a bent. They all told me that we don't rent those the cars
    can't see them.

    I think you didn't look hard enough. I was in Montreal recently for the Tour de Isle de Montreal
    ride, and most of the stores I saw had Quetzal Azteca bikes for sale and rent. Some of the more
    specialized bike shops or the nice bike cafes they have around town didn't carry them, but I saw
    them in all the large-volume stores.

    Quoted message said:

    I also hear bents are superior to DF's but they would never ride one because it looks weird. I say
    Oh you want to be in pain so you don't look weird does that make sense.

    I know a guy here in NYC who is always trying new saddles, because he has had a lot of problems due
    to the little seats. He is always chatting about bikes and recumbents with me and some of the other
    local bent riders, but refuses to try one. Even just do a quick lap in the park. Its like some
    mental block or something with some riders.

    Cheers.

  5. Montreal is a great place to rent recumbents. They are available along the river near the old towm.

  6. Mike said:


    I get a lot of is it hard to balance, I tell them after you get adjusted=


    to

    Quoted message said:

    the bike it's better than a DF, lower center of gravity.

    Actually, the effect of lowering the center of gravity DOES make it harder to balance....but that's
    not a significant issue until you get into a situation of poor footing, in which case you will have
    much less chance for recovery and go down much faster than on a DF in a similar situation.

    Quoted message said:

    I say Oh you want to be in pain so you don't look weird does that make sense.

    Many people can ride DF's without significant pain, and so they do because they offer many
    advantages over 'bents. It is good that bents exist for the unfortunate few who can't ride uprights.
    And the bent experience is not entirely without pain itself.=20

    Ron, who am thankful that I can ride all kinds of bikes.

  7. Quoted post said:

    Originally posted by Ron Levine
    Many people can ride DF's without significant pain, and so they do because they offer many advantages over 'bents. It is good that bents exist for the unfortunate few who can't ride uprights. And the bent experience is not entirely without pain itself.=20

    Oh, I don't know. I do not have any pain on my recumbent. I have the typical muscle issues any cyclist would after riding a long time. But I do not have any real pain.

    I would be interested to know the pain that you experience...and what your recumbent setup is.

    I would also like to know the many advantages of an upright over a recumbent. I do know mountain biking is better on an upright, but what else?

    Do tell.

  8. "Ron Levine" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    "]news:[email hidden]... On Wed, 09 Jul 2003 03:45:54 GMT, "Mike"
    <[email hidden]> wrote: It is good that bents exist for the unfortunate few who can't
    ride uprights.

    Thank's - I needed a good laugh :-)

    Torben

  9. For those of us who are recent converts and are functionally illiterate in 'bent language, could you
    please explain "DF". I've been racking my brain about this. Thanks!

    Bob Adelman

    "Mike" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:SdMOa.14369$ye4.13447@sccrnsc01...

    Quoted message said:

    I was in Montreal this last weekend. The city has over 150 miles of bike path. I contacted a few
    rental places to see if I could rent a bent. They all told me that we don't rent those the cars
    can't see them. I told them that it was not true, as a matter of fact they draw too much
    attention. I have people in cars stopping all the time and asking me about the bike, or telling me
    that they own a bent too.

    In Montreal I ended up renting a DF and after riding 35 miles, the pain reminded me of why I got a
    bent in the first place.

    When I got home I kneeled down beside of my Baccetta Strada and Kissed the frame.🙂 Praise the
    Lord that I live in a time where Recument bikes are availible.

    The week before I was leading a bike ride for a recreational club that I belong to. I had the
    Strada and the only bent. One guy said "how do you handle the limitations of that bike" I replied
    ya it has limitations all right it's a lot faster than your bike so I have been riding the brakes
    so you can keep up.🙂 Got him on that one.🙂

    I get a lot of is it hard to balance, I tell them after you get adjusted


    to

    Quoted message said:

    the bike it's better than a DF, lower center of gravity.

    I also hear is it comfortable, I say YA it sure is, best chair with wheels that I own.🙂

    I also hear bents are superior to DF's but they would never ride one


    because

    Quoted message said:

    it looks weird. I say Oh you want to be in pain so you don't look weird


    does

    Quoted message said:

    that make sense.

    Well I had to share.🙂

  10. "Bob Adelman" <[email hidden]> kirjoitti viestissä news:HXgPa.28163$H17.8130@sccrnsc02...

    Quoted message said:

    For those of us who are recent converts and are functionally illiterate in 'bent language, could
    you please explain "DF". I've been racking my brain about this. Thanks!

    Bob Adelman

    The same puzzled me. It is Diamond Frame, any other bike except recumbent.

    In fact as a new hobbyist I often wonder why people use shorthand notations known only to the most
    sacred priesthood. They might save 1-2 % of the typing time, but make life difficult for newcomers,
    people in other countries. Perhaps it is important to prove to oneself that one is now part of the
    sacred alliance, not 'those others'.

    Sorry to sound irritated, but it may depend on the fact that I am...

  11. optimistx said:


    "Bob Adelman" <[email hidden]> kirjoitti viestissä news:HXgPa.28163$H17.8130@sccrnsc02...

    Quoted message said:

    For those of us who are recent converts and are functionally illiterate in 'bent language, could
    you please explain "DF". I've been racking my brain about this. Thanks!

    Bob Adelman

    The same puzzled me. It is Diamond Frame, any other bike except recumbent.

    No, there are non-recumbent bikes which are not DFs. Namely, the Y-frame style that has been
    introduced recently for some mountain bikes, usually fully suspended.

  12. "Ron Levine" <[email hidden]> kirjoitti viestissä
    "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:
    optimistx said:


    "Bob Adelman" <[email hidden]> kirjoitti viestissä news:HXgPa.28163$H17.8130@sccrnsc02...

    Quoted message said:

    For those of us who are recent converts and are functionally illiterate


    in

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    'bent language, could you please explain "DF". I've been racking my


    brain

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    about this. Thanks!

    Bob Adelman

    The same puzzled me. It is Diamond Frame, any other bike except


    recumbent.

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    No, there are non-recumbent bikes which are not DFs. Namely, the Y-frame style that has been
    introduced recently for some mountain bikes, usually fully suspended.

    thanks for your correction 🙂

    We have also so called S-frame in the family, and an 8-wheel special. A bit difficult to ride,
    especially the latter. It requires probably different muscles to develope.

  13. I have a new problem riding my 'bent. When I am in a hurry, I have to say 'no' to kids that want to
    ride with me. Since I have two seats, they all want to join. I hate to say, 'maybe later' to kids as
    I pedal on down the street. I would never have that problem on a 'normal' bike. Russell

  14. optimistx <[email hidden]> wrote:
    : In fact as a new hobbyist I often wonder why people use shorthand notations known only to the most
    : sacred priesthood. They might save 1-2 % of the typing time, but make life difficult for
    : newcomers, people in other countries. Perhaps it is important to prove to oneself that one is now
    : part of the sacred alliance, not 'those others'.

    Well it takes just a few weeks to get initiated... after that you can start learning and snobbing
    around with the more obscure acronyms, and making up your own :-)

    Benting isn't bad. I know a guy whose gf/so always complains about us talking Hungarian when the
    talk turns to PCs. Think networking professionals are much worse... 😉

    --
    Risto Varanka | helsinki.fihpv.html varis at no spam please iki fi

  15. <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    optimistx <[email hidden]> wrote:
    : In fact as a new hobbyist I often wonder why people use shorthand


    notations

    Quoted message said:

    : known only to the most sacred priesthood. They might save 1-2 % of


    the

    Quoted message said:

    : typing time, but make life difficult for newcomers, people in other countries. Perhaps it is
    : important to prove to oneself that one is


    now part

    Quoted message said:

    : of the sacred alliance, not 'those others'.

    Well it takes just a few weeks to get initiated... after that you can start learning and snobbing
    around with the more obscure acronyms, and making up your own :-)

    Benting isn't bad. I know a guy whose gf/so always complains about us talking Hungarian when the
    talk turns to PCs. Think networking professionals are much worse... 😉

    No you should work for the Government ! Tomorrow I'm going to an BCRRT meeting to discuss our FOE at
    14:30 and I quote "ES to provide with status of PSS and EPS".

    So now USS doesn't seem so bad.

  16. "optimistx" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<Y7iPa.302$

    Quoted message said:

    Sorry to sound irritated, but it may depend on the fact that I am...

    IMHO there is no need for the RA. In merry olde England they refer to us as the DS.

    The advice and comment offered on this forum is at least worth what you pay for it.

    :-)

    Jerry

  17. Jerry Rhodes said:

    IMHO there is no need for the RA. In merry olde England they refer to us as the DS.

    How quaint! I did a little research and discovered that the earliest mention (I could find) of the
    DS occurs in a post to various rec.bicycles newsgroups by Walter Knapp on 1998/08/26[1], who posted
    it from the good ole US of A (preserving the quaint feeling). It has to be said it has taken off big
    time on uk.rec.cycling nowadays, although mostly since the year 2000.

    [1] Compromise date format for US/UK compatibility.
    --
    Jim Price

    jimprice.dsl.pipex.comjimprice.dsl.pipex.com

    Conscientious objection is hard work in an economic war.

    Aye!.

  18. optimistx said:

    We have also so called S-frame in the family, and an 8-wheel special.

    To say nothing of wing bikes, monocoques, spaceframes, F-frames, step-throughs and doubtless one
    hundred and one other variations on the theme of horsey bikes...

    Dave Larrington - legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uklegslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uk
    ===========================================================
    Editor - British Human Power Club Newsletter
    bhpc.org.ukbhpc.org.uk
    ===========================================================

  19. "Dave Larrington" <[email hidden]> kirjoitti viestissä
    "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:
    optimistx said:

    We have also so called S-frame in the family, and an 8-wheel special.

    To say nothing of wing bikes, monocoques, spaceframes, F-frames, step-throughs and doubtless one
    hundred and one other variations on the theme of horsey bikes...

    Dave Larrington - legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uklegslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uk
    ===========================================================
    Editor - British Human Power Club Newsletter
    bhpc.org.ukbhpc.org.uk
    ===========================================================


    ok, that is good to know, now I have learned something new. A happy guy compared to those who
    have not 🙂.

    Your pages are wonderful, useful info. Thanks for making those.

    By the way, for those who might have different sense of humor compared to my weird type, an
    explantion of S- and 8-frames: they are effectively created with a serious collision with another
    object. (picture not enclosed, mental picture making recommended)

  20. bentcruiser <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

    Quoted message said:


    I would also like to know the many advantages of an upright over a recumbent. I do know mountain
    biking is better on an upright, but what else?

    Do tell.

    Some say speed (mr old Schwinn 'bent did 45 mph and was wiped out in 1989 by another 'bent- compared
    to a Schwinn Varsity I had that never topped 25 mph), some say hills (I laugh as I pass those
    muscular types walking up steep hills on my TerraTrike- with a little help from Currie
    Electra-drive), some say slaloms/turns (my newest toy Catrike Speed is dinky and low enough to
    manage any turn I found so far very quickly), some say comfort (no comparison available after riding
    my heavy Optima with suspension), but I guess the big PLUS for diamond frame/safety bikes is just
    being a follower to the song of the Pied Piper!

    I guess there is a good thing about following the masses. But there is something else good about
    individualism. Different strokes for different folks; but I am so glad to see pedal strokes rather
    than'ji-gun-dous' smoggers.

    Chris Jordan Santa Cruz, CA.

Active in the last 60 minutes

Active in this thread

0 users · 0 guests ·0 bots ·0 total

No signed-in users are active right now.

No known search crawlers active right now.