Shopping for my first 'bent.

Welcome to our mutual Obsession...er Addiction.

I can tell you are new to all this by your comment about doing Bunny-Hopping on a Low Racer, some of
us do it by accident and try not to remember doing
it.Stupid DF bike trikes don't work well on recumbents...take my word for it.

Basic rule (everyone) here will tell you...try it before you buy it. The learning curve from a Beach
Cruiser to a H-P VSM or Baron will not be too fluid, different muscles, different braking techniques
and the turns can be a riot at first.

As for the tires...generally Bents use Slicks or Semi-Slicks. We don't go riding in the woods over
logs, drive in mud or on loose gravel (on purpose) and so huge Knobby tires will seldom be seen on a
bent. The exception being for those braver souls amoung us who like to ride/race on ice in winter. I
ride on ice and in snow all the time and you can see I am the sanest person here (I added this so
99.99% of ARBR will now have to wash their coffee off their PC Monitor screen).

Low Racers look really cool to those looking at going bent, but IMHO you should master a CLWB or LWB
1st...get yer Legs sorta speak, then go to a SWB and finally a Low Racer. Quite often Low Racer
owners will keep a 2nd SWB or CLWB for less intense riding.

Everyone here loves a novice.....mmmmmm Fresh Brains

Joshua
*****

"Leardriver1971" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Greetings!

I haven't owned a bicycle for over 10 years, and then nothing more complex than a beach cruiser
with a surfboard rack, and I've suddenly become interested in - nay, obsessed with recumbents.

After researching the various styles and brands over the past several days, I'm leaning towards
the low racing short wheelbase bikes, like the Optima Baron, HP Velotechnik Speedmachine, and M5
but some of the slightly higher bikes like the offerings from Challenge, Burley and Bacchetta look
like fun too.

Is there any basic advice anyone can offer? Any rules of thumb or nuggets that are not obvious to
a newbie? Any features I should look for or avoid?

One thing I'm curious about is riding a 'bent in suburbia - lots of curbs, sidewalks, etc, and I
hear a lot of the biking trails are clogged with roller blades, dogs, et al. I'm guessing most of
these bikes have the strictly on-road tires, and the bikes themselves don't lend themselves to
easily bunny-hopping or running through the grass. How about suspensions? some of the bikes I like
the looks of have them, some don't. Is there a significant weight penalty there? Does seat padding
absorb a lot of shock?

Obviously, I plan on trying out as many different types of bikes as possible before I buy. I'm in
the North Dallas area.

Thanks!

--

Quoted message said:

--------------------------<

Posted via cyclingforums.com cyclingforums.comcyclingforums.comOpen ↗

Joshua Goldberg said:

... As for the tires...generally Bents use Slicks or Semi-Slicks. We don't go riding in the woods
over logs, drive in mud or on loose gravel (on purpose) and so huge Knobby tires will seldom be
seen on a bent. The exception being for those braver souls amoung us who like to ride/race on ice
in winter....

There are also those who take long rides in areas where the "roads" are little more than wide foot
paths. These riders usually prefer recumbents with dual ISO 559-mm wheels (e.g. Optima Condor and
Orca) so they can use the available MTB tires.

Tom Sherman - Near the confluence of the Mississippi and Rock Rivers

Quoted message said:

Obviously, I plan on trying out as many different types of bikes as possible before I buy. I'm in
the North Dallas area.

I visited the Richardson Bike Mart a couple of years ago and was amazed at the selection of bents
they carry. I went up there to test ride a Lightning P38 in order to convince myself that the fuss
about this model was a lot of hype and that I should be content with my other bent, a RANS V2. After
the test ride I had to have that bike! Good luck finding that ONE and ONLY special bent.

"Joshua Goldberg" <[email hidden]> wrote in
:"]news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

Welcome to our mutual Obsession...er Addiction.

see I am the sanest person here (I added this so 99.99% of ARBR will now have to wash their coffee
off their PC Monitor screen).

I can confirm that Joshua probably is the sanest person here. He takes what life gives him and
always has fun, never taking things seriously. It is an attitude I have been cultivating for years,
and have yet to achieve it the same degree as Prof. Goldberg, Esq.

I have ridden on trails with my full suspension tadpole trike. The worst part is when the chainrings
dig into the hill I am about to climb.

Quoted message said:

Low Racers look really cool to those looking at going bent, but IMHO you should master a CLWB or
LWB 1st...get yer Legs sorta speak, then go to a SWB and finally a Low Racer. Quite often Low
Racer owners will keep a 2nd SWB or CLWB for less intense riding.

Everyone here loves a novice.....mmmmmm Fresh Brains

"Brains! Must eat brains...mmmm..hhggh.hmm." ~Quoting a zombie from an episode of The Simpsons

rorschandt pictures.care2.com174801833Open ↗

--
May all beings be happy. May they be joyous and live in safety. All living beings, whether weak or
strong, in high or middle or low realms of existence, small or great, visible or invisible, near or
far, born or to be born, Let no one deceive another, nor despise any being in any state; Let none by
anger or hatred wish harm to another. Even as a mother at the risk of her life watches over and
protects her only child, so with a boundless mind should one cherish all living things,

was thinking more of the original B&W movie "Night of the Living Dead" but yeah the Simpsons version
works well too. For years I had the Zombie Walk in search of fresh brains as my Screensaver.
**************************
"rorschandt" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Joshua Goldberg" <[email hidden]> wrote in
:"]news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

Welcome to our mutual Obsession...er Addiction.

see I am the sanest person here (I added this so 99.99% of ARBR will now have to wash their
coffee off their PC Monitor screen).

I can confirm that Joshua probably is the sanest person here. He takes

what

Quoted message said:

life gives him and always has fun, never taking things seriously. It is an attitude I have been
cultivating for years, and have yet to achieve it the same degree as Prof. Goldberg, Esq.

I have ridden on trails with my full suspension tadpole trike. The worst part is when the
chainrings dig into the hill I am about to climb.

Quoted message said:

Low Racers look really cool to those looking at going bent, but IMHO you should master a CLWB or
LWB 1st...get yer Legs sorta speak, then go to a SWB and finally a Low Racer. Quite often Low
Racer owners will keep a 2nd SWB or CLWB for less intense riding.

Everyone here loves a novice.....mmmmmm Fresh Brains

"Brains! Must eat brains...mmmm..hhggh.hmm." ~Quoting a zombie from an episode of The Simpsons

rorschandt pictures.care2.com174801833Open ↗

--
May all beings be happy. May they be joyous and live in safety. All living beings, whether weak or
strong, in high or middle or low realms of existence, small or great, visible or invisible, near
or far, born or to be born, Let no one deceive another, nor despise any being in any state; Let
none by anger or hatred wish harm to another. Even as a mother at the risk of her life watches
over and protects her only child, so with a boundless mind should one cherish all living things,

Be aware that the learning curve on a high BB (bottom bracket) recumbent can be a little steep,
however the speed advantage makes it well worth it. I had a Baron as my second recumbent after
riding a BikeE for a year. The Baron was pretty easy to ride. I handles well at low speed and the
low seat height gives you more confidence starting out. At higher speeds the low center of gravity
and powerful disk brakes allow you take corners with confidence. The ride is a little rough on poor
roads compared to the suspended models but it is still very comfortable and the lower weight and
less flex allow better acceleration. The Baron is not well suited to off road or even gravel paths.
It should not be ridden on sidewalks (Nor should any bike at more than a walking pace). The bike is
excellent on open roads. The low height of the bike gives me some concern on urban streets with on
street parking and lots of intersections. If you want to jump curbs or ride off road stick with a
MTB, if you want to go the fastest you are capable and remain comfortable while doing it lowracers
like the Baron are an excellent ride.

Craig

Leardriver1971 <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Greetings!

I haven't owned a bicycle for over 10 years, and then nothing more complex than a beach cruiser
with a surfboard rack, and I've suddenly become interested in - nay, obsessed with recumbents.

After researching the various styles and brands over the past several days, I'm leaning towards
the low racing short wheelbase bikes, like the Optima Baron, HP Velotechnik Speedmachine, and M5
but some of the slightly higher bikes like the offerings from Challenge, Burley and Bacchetta look
like fun too.

Is there any basic advice anyone can offer? Any rules of thumb or nuggets that are not obvious to
a newbie? Any features I should look for or avoid?

One thing I'm curious about is riding a 'bent in suburbia - lots of curbs, sidewalks, etc, and I
hear a lot of the biking trails are clogged with roller blades, dogs, et al. I'm guessing most of
these bikes have the strictly on-road tires, and the bikes themselves don't lend themselves to
easily bunny-hopping or running through the grass. How about suspensions? some of the bikes I like
the looks of have them, some don't. Is there a significant weight penalty there? Does seat padding
absorb a lot of shock?

Obviously, I plan on trying out as many different types of bikes as possible before I buy. I'm in
the North Dallas area.

Thanks!

cbb said:

Be aware that the learning curve on a high BB (bottom bracket) recumbent can be a little steep,
however the speed advantage makes it well worth it. I had a Baron as my second recumbent after
riding a BikeE for a year. The Baron was pretty easy to ride. I handles well at low speed and the
low seat height gives you more confidence starting out. At higher speeds the low center of gravity
and powerful disk brakes allow you take corners with confidence. The ride is a little rough on
poor roads compared to the suspended models but it is still very comfortable and the lower weight
and less flex allow better acceleration. The Baron is not well suited to off road or even gravel
paths. It should not be ridden on sidewalks (Nor should any bike at more than a walking pace). The
bike is excellent on open roads. The low height of the bike gives me some concern on urban streets
with on street parking and lots of intersections. If you want to jump curbs or ride off road stick
with a MTB, if you want to go the fastest you are capable and remain comfortable while doing it
lowracers like the Baron are an excellent ride.

I rode my Sunset on both fairly heavily trafficked streets and on some bike paths [1] in Chicago
yesterday, and I much preferred the streets. Streets are designed for vehicles moving 20-30 mph,
bike paths are not.

The stock Baron has a lot of tiller effect which will affect low speed handling - in most situations
this will not be problem once the riders adjusts to the bike.

Tom Sherman - Near the confluence of the Mississippi and Rock Rivers

[email hidden] (cbb) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Be aware that the learning curve on a high BB (bottom bracket) recumbent can be a little steep,

For me that is a real truism. I started with a BikeE. A year later I went to a V-Rex. Great bike but
of course I needed something faster. Decided it would be a SpeedMachine from HP Velotechnik. The
bike would be fast and I would look cool on it. Went up to The Bike Rack in Chicago to try them. The
moment I looked at it I liked it. So sleek, so modern, so well put together. Rolled it out to the
parking lot and in front of a couple of dozen other customers gave it the once over, sat down on it,
checked everything out, all the time trying to look like I did this for a living. Put my foot on the
pedals. Pushed, started to roll, did two pedal turns and dumped. Got up, brushed myself off,
pretended something was wrong with the bike, and repeated the process, including the dumping. And,
this process repeated itself about a year later when I tried out Dave Balfour's dual 20 inch
Wishbone. I have a lot of bent riding experience but I can't seem to get the handle on these real
low racers. You have mentioned some nice bikes. Given the fact that your first bent won't be your
last (ask any of us about how long we have had our first recumbent before trading up) I would
suggest starting with a bike with an easier learning curve like a Rocket, V-Rex, Burley or even a
Barcroft Dakota. There are many who ride the bikes you mentioned with nary a problem. But I would
get my feet on the ground (as opposed to other parts of your body as explained above) with a simpler
handling machine, then move up. My opinion only. Good luck and welcome to recumbency.

Mike S. St. Louis, Mo

Barcroft Virginia Barcroft Columbia RANS Rocket

mike s said:

[email hidden] (cbb) wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Be aware that the learning curve on a high BB (bottom bracket) recumbent can be a little steep,

For me that is a real truism. I started with a BikeE. A year later I went to a V-Rex. Great bike
but of course I needed something faster. Decided it would be a SpeedMachine from HP Velotechnik.
The bike would be fast and I would look cool on it. Went up to The Bike Rack in Chicago to try
them. The moment I looked at it I liked it. So sleek, so modern, so well put together. Rolled it
out to the parking lot and in front of a couple of dozen other customers gave it the once over,
sat down on it, checked everything out, all the time trying to look like I did this for a living.
Put my foot on the pedals. Pushed, started to roll, did two pedal turns and dumped. Got up,
brushed myself off, pretended something was wrong with the bike, and repeated the process,
including the dumping. And, this process repeated itself about a year later when I tried out Dave
Balfour's dual 20 inch Wishbone. I have a lot of bent riding experience but I can't seem to get
the handle on these real low racers....

Mike,

Didn't you ride a Sunset successfully in Havana this spring? 😉

Having ridden a couple of thousand of miles on both bikes, I will say that the Sunset is much easier
to (initially) ride than Dave's Wishbone.

P.S. I hope to make it to the ride in Macomb on Saturday, if my work schedule permits.

Tom Sherman - Near the confluence of the Mississippi and Rock Rivers

"mike s" skrev...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Be aware that the learning curve on a high BB (bottom bracket) recumbent can be a little steep,

For me that is a real truism. I started with a BikeE. A year later I went to a V-Rex. Great bike
but of course I needed something faster. Decided it would be a SpeedMachine from HP Velotechnik.
The bike would be fast and I would look cool on it. Went up to The Bike Rack in Chicago to try
them. The moment I looked at it I liked it. So sleek, so modern, so well put together. Rolled it
out to the parking lot and in front of a couple of dozen other customers gave it the once over,
sat down on it, checked everything out, all the time trying to look like I did this for a living.
Put my foot on the pedals. Pushed, started to roll, did two pedal turns and dumped. Got up,
brushed myself off, pretended something was wrong with the bike, and repeated the process,
including the dumping.

*snip*

Well I guess mileage may vary here. I started out on an Evita-2 thats a quasilow, laidback SWB and
had no major problems. Just looked a bit dangerous on the first ride. Over the course of a few weeks
riding it became second nature as my body learned the new reflexes. Today I can jump on any lowracer
and ride it.

Mikael

Mikael Seierup said:

... Today I can jump on any lowracer and ride it.

I wonder if Sean Costin still has this bike around? 😉

< wisil.recumbents.comMonky1.jpgOpen ↗ > <
wisil.recumbents.comseancostin.htmOpen ↗ >

Tom Sherman - Near the confluence of the Mississippi and Rock Rivers

Tom Sherman <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

mike s said:

[email hidden] (cbb) wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Be aware that the learning curve on a high BB (bottom bracket) recumbent can be a little
steep,

Quoted message said:

Mike,

Didn't you ride a Sunset successfully in Havana this spring? 😉

Having ridden a couple of thousand of miles on both bikes, I will say that the Sunset is much
easier to (initially) ride than Dave's Wishbone.

P.S. I hope to make it to the ride in Macomb on Saturday, if my work schedule permits.

Tom Sherman - Near the confluence of the Mississippi and Rock Rivers

Tom: For me there is an exception for every rule. Your Sunset was the only low racer bike that I got
on and rode. I approached it with trepidation, replete with the knowledge of my previous encounters,
fearing the worst, and bingo, no problem. Of course it would happen that the only low racer I could
ride had only 16 units made. Something with a little wider availability I have difficulty riding.

Good luck at Macomb. We are doing the Flat as a Pancake Century in New Baden, Ill., a ride which
should be renamed the Wind in your Face Century.

Mike S. St. Louis, Mo.

I haven't tried any low racers, not interested except accademicaly. But I haven't had any trouble
with anything short of that that I have tried, down to say Callenge Taifun or Horizon level. These
bikes are also used for touring, and off-road, though not MTB land, just non-paved.

Personaly I would try out your dream bike, as everyone else has said, and see if you can get comfy
on it. These things are so expensive, that at least for me, I won't be working my way down through
the ranks.

Have a look here to see a guy catch air and ride off the pavement:

xs4all.nl~markjanOpen ↗

Check out the Hills, and Hurricane XL Test video.

mike s <[email hidden]> wrote:
: Decided it would be a SpeedMachine from HP Velotechnik. The bike would be fast and I would look
: cool on it. Went up to The Bike Rack in Chicago to try them. The moment I looked at it I liked it.
: So sleek, so modern, so well put together. Rolled it out to the parking lot and in front of a
: couple of dozen other customers gave it the once over, sat down on it, checked everything out, all
: the time trying to look like I did this for a living. Put my foot on the pedals. Pushed, started
: to roll, did two pedal turns and dumped.

Yes... learning to ride a lowracer is like learning to ride a bent again 😄 Only it goes somewhat
faster... I also found out differences in geometry can make riding different in rather similar
bikes, such as Challenge Mistral and Vision R-40.

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

Leardriver1971 <[email hidden]> wrote:

: I haven't owned a bicycle for over 10 years, and then nothing more complex than a beach cruiser
: with a surfboard rack, and I've suddenly become interested in - nay, obsessed with recumbents.

You'll probably run some learning curve for just starting riding again. It might be a good idea to
look for an old, 2nd hand bent to get started.

You can get a trike if you don't want to develop the motor skills
- anyone can ride them almost instantly, with proper care of course.

: After researching the various styles and brands over the past several days, I'm leaning towards
: the low racing short wheelbase bikes, like the Optima Baron, HP Velotechnik Speedmachine, and M5
: but some of the slightly higher bikes like the offerings from Challenge, Burley and Bacchetta look
: like fun too.

A low racer is designed for racing. If you have an active interest in recumbent racing (ie. you can
travel to races etc) or just have a burning need to go very fast, it can be a good choice. If not, a
say Challenge Hurricane or a Bacchetta can fit the bill perfectly.

The most suitable environment for riding a true low racer is the race track or open road. The open
road concept is important for recumbents: if you ride long stretches of road for touring or
training, a bent is ideal. The ideal environment for recumbents in general is flat, straight
pavement (in good condition) without much traffic to concern oneself with or visibility blockers
like lush bushes just next to the bike track.

Bents are rather different from ordinary bicycles and also from each other, so you need to do some
research and some actual riding to form a good picture of the main benefits, disadvantages and
considerations. (Most effective is reading this newsgroup actively for extended periods and buying
your own bent.) The riding environment is just one thing which can create practical issues. But it
really depends on the model you choose... :-)

Much depends on what you want to do with your bike. I think many bent owners cycle quite much, and
some of them find themselves doing longer and longer rides. Are there nice routes to ride if you can
ride for 40 miles? It could be a good idea to chat with some local cyclists.

That said, bents can be very interesting and lots of fun, so your obsession probably has some
rational basis.

: with roller blades, dogs, et al. I'm guessing most of these bikes have the strictly on-road tires,
: and the bikes themselves don't lend themselves to easily bunny-hopping or running through the
: grass. How about suspensions? some of the bikes I like the looks of have them, some don't. Is
: there a significant weight penalty there? Does seat padding absorb a lot of shock?

You can usually change the tires. If road shock doesn't sound like your cup of fun, you are probably
better off with rear suspension.

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

mike s said:

Tom: For me there is an exception for every rule. Your Sunset was the only low racer bike that I
got on and rode. I approached it with trepidation, replete with the knowledge of my previous
encounters, fearing the worst, and bingo, no problem. Of course it would happen that the only low
racer I could ride had only 16 units made. Something with a little wider availability I have
difficulty riding....

Mike,

Being out of production with only 18 in existence puts Ed Gin's statement, "The Sunset is the
lowracer for the masses" in an ironic light. If I had a moderately large fortune to lose, I would
put the Sunset back into production.

Tom Sherman - Near the confluence of the Mississippi and Rock Rivers

Thanks for all of the replies. I did ride a Bacchetta Corsa last week. Quite an experience, but I think I adapted to the 'bent-particular handling characteristics pretty quickly, I think I'd feel very comfortable on the bike pretty in no time.

How will the riding experience differ between a bike like this and something really sexy like a HP-V Speedmachine or Optima Baron? Is the Corsa bike similar to a Challenge Mistral/Hurricane or M5 Shockproof?