Short bentriders-What do you ride?

[Hillel]

"Gary Krause" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I agree that LWB's are better suited for shorter riders. I have owned a Rans Rocket, Vision R-40,
> Rans V-Rex and Burley Canto. The SWB's are a blast to ride but, I feel that my weight is too far
> forward. Not only that, I don't like being so close to the riser. The only SWB that didn't give me
> that feeling was a USS R-40. The OSS R-40 that I had was a small frame and the rear wheel actually
> came off the ground in an emergency braking situation. I agree that the LWB's have better weight
> distribution. Generally the seats seem to be a little lower to the ground depending on the design.
> Short wheel base designs just aren't conducive to shorter riders but, that doesn't stop me from
> riding my V-Rex. I've spent some time on a Rans Stratus and it's a really nice bike however, I
> like a higher bottom bracket.
>
> It has been interesting to hear what other's are riding and why. There is no such thing as the
> perfect recumbent and I think that's why many of us have owned more than one. Not only that, they
> are so much fun to ride!
>

I have a 30" inseam and 40.5" x-seam. I found that the seats on the LWB bikes generally fit better,
but I also like the higher BB and maneuverability on SWB bikes. I found that the Rotator Tiger fits
great and has a much better weight distribution. I washed out the rear wheel a few times on my
Haluzak while breaking on a curve, but have yet to lift the rear on the Tiger. The hard part with
the Tiger is getting the seat positioned just right. I have it right on top of the mid-drive, and
you are limited where you can put the hose clamps with the mid-drive tab in the way.

 

[Gary Herbst]

"Dave Larrington" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> The two shortest recumbentistas I know both ride Kingcycle SWB's with a seat height of ~18". This
> suggests that a Rotator Tiger might serve the vertically challenged quite nicely too.
>
> Dave Larrington - http://legslarry.crosswinds.net/
> ===========================================================
> Editor - British Human Power Club Newsletter
> http://www.bhpc.org.uk/
> ===========================================================

When I saw the ? about short riders I thought one of my questions might be answered. I was wronged.
I have been looking for a bent for a couple of friends and they think that people of 5'6" are tall.
Both of my friends are sub 5 feet and still looking. Some manufactures say that there bikes fit
people from 5 feet to 6'2". Most of us that are the same height have different leg lenghts. Tom in
Dayton Ohio builds custom bents for kids and that might be the only way that my friends can get a
bent, Any other ideas out there?

Gary

 

[Chris Broome]

One recumbent friend, who is about 4'10", rides a Varna Velocipede.

It has a curved monotube frame with overall dimensionsions and geometry similar to those of a BikeE.

There's a picture at:

http://www.ihpva.org/com/Varna/velocipede.jpg

-- Chris Broome

************************

Gary Krause wrote:
>
> I'm 5' 7" with a 29 inch inseam and a 39.5 inch x-seam. I was just wondering what everyone else
> with short legs is riding? I currently have a V-Rex and a Burley Canto and I can't plant my feet
> flat on the ground on either bike. I'm considering getting a V2 because, it has a lower seat and I
> can place both feet flat on the ground. It sure is nice not having to worry about my feet slipping
> out from under me in gravel or sand. I've looked at just about all of the SWB's with small frames
> and even owned a small framed Vision R-40. But, the seats just aren't low enough. I've looked at
> the Status and V2 and I like the looks of the new Haluzak LWB.
>
> So what bents work for your short legs and why?
>
> Gary

 

[Tom Sherman]

rocketman58 wrote:
>
> I have owned a number of bents over the past decade. I also have a 29" inseam (at best). I have
> come to the conlusion that if you are this short and want both your feet planted safely on the
> ground - stick with a LWB. As far a people with 28" inseams touching the ground flat footed on
> thier SWB machines - I don't belive it. There are a number of other benefits as well, such as
> often better weight distribution....

The person in the front row to the far left in this picture (as viewed)
[1] (red sweater, black shirt, and light blue pants) is the previous owner of my SWB Earth Cycles
Sunset, and had no problem putting both her feet on the ground at a stop.

As an aside, the wheelbase on my Sunset is about 6 inches longer than when "Little Barbie" was
riding it.

[2] < http://home.earthlink.net/~gkpsol/holidayparty2000.html > [2]
[3] I am incorrectly listed in the text below as Tom Smith - not the first time our names have
been confused.

Tom Sherman - Various HPV's Quad Cities USA (Illinois side)

 

[Dave Larrington]

At least one of the Kingcyclists referred to above is sub-five foot, but since the said bike has not
been manufactured for about five years, this doesn't help much...

Dave Larrington - http://legslarry.crosswinds.net/
===========================================================
Editor - British Human Power Club Newsletter
http://www.bhpc.org.uk/
===========================================================

 

[Risto Varanka]

Tom Thompson <[email protected]> wrote:

: If getting stable at a stop is paramount, I'd consider a LWB like a TE, RANS Stratus or V2. The
: Strat has the added advantage of a lower seat height the further forward it is adjusted. The V2
: will be a mite tougher to start up because the BB is much higher than the others. Best to ride 'em
: all and see.

How about considering SWBs with low seat? Such as semi-lowracers? Too expensive in your continent?
Other problems with fit?

Anybody took a look at what sells in Japan yet?

--
Risto Varanka | http://www.helsinki.fi/~rvaranka/ varis at no spam please iki fi

 

[Jay]

>Gary Krause at [email protected] wrote:

> I'm 5' 7" with a 29 inch inseam and a 39.5 inch x-seam. I was just wondering what everyone else
> with short legs is riding? I currently have a V-Rex and a Burley Canto and I can't plant my feet
> flat on the ground on either bike. I'm considering getting a V2 because, it has a lower seat and I
> can place both feet flat on the ground. It sure is nice not having to worry about my feet slipping
> out from under me in gravel or sand. I've looked at just about all of the SWB's with small frames
> and even owned a small framed Vision R-40. But, the seats just aren't low enough. I've looked at
> the Status and V2 and I like the looks of the new Haluzak LWB.
>
> So what bents work for your short legs and why?

Try being 5ft 2in Gary. :^( I go to recumbent events and can barely ride anything.

Currently I have two homebuilts (SWB with OSS and a tadpole trike) I mostly ride a Greenspeed GTC.
It is a variation of the popular GTO. I am currently just barely the right size for the standard
size of this smaller sized trike. They are designing a small size of the small size.

I just purchased and I wil get delivery March 30 of three more homebuilts so as to have a stable of
bents to lend out for recumbent events. One is a Delta trike with corraplast fairing. (will fit
various sizes, including me) One is a tadpole trike (fits perfectly) One is a USS lever style
steering LWB ( It may not adjust enough to fit me)

Jay <--sized like an elf

 

[Gary Krause]

Hi Jay,

I've been looking at trikes also. I have never ridden one and my local LBS doesn't carry them. I
would have to make a 100 mile trip to ride one which, I will probably do when the weather gets
better. I'm currently digging my way out of the snow drifts from the blizzard we had yesterday. I'm
in Cheyenne, Wyoming one hundred miles north of Denver, Colorado.

It's great that you can get bents custom made. I have thought about taking a welding class at the
local community college and building my own. I might just do that.

I laughed when you said "sized like an elf". My late wife use to refer to me as the "elf king"
because, of my size and my personality. It brought back lots of fond memories. Thanks.

It sounds like you will have quite a fleet of recumbents. I currently have two and I'm toying with
the idea of a third. I keep asking myself, what am I going to do with three? Do I have room? Will I
ride one more than the others? Will the others be jealous?:-0

You'll have to give us a ride report when you get your new bents. Some pictures would be nice too!

Gary

Jay <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<BA9F611B.62D4%[email protected]>...
> >Gary Krause at [email protected] wrote:
>
> > I'm 5' 7" with a 29 inch inseam and a 39.5 inch x-seam. I was just wondering what everyone else
> > with short legs is riding? I currently have a V-Rex and a Burley Canto and I can't plant my feet
> > flat on the ground on either bike. I'm considering getting a V2 because, it has a lower seat and
> > I can place both feet flat on the ground. It sure is nice not having to worry about my feet
> > slipping out from under me in gravel or sand. I've looked at just about all of the SWB's with
> > small frames and even owned a small framed Vision R-40. But, the seats just aren't low enough.
> > I've looked at the Status and V2 and I like the looks of the new Haluzak LWB.
> >
> > So what bents work for your short legs and why?
>
> Try being 5ft 2in Gary. :^( I go to recumbent events and can barely ride anything.
>
> Currently I have two homebuilts (SWB with OSS and a tadpole trike) I mostly ride a Greenspeed GTC.
> It is a variation of the popular GTO. I am currently just barely the right size for the standard
> size of this smaller sized trike. They are designing a small size of the small size.
>
> I just purchased and I wil get delivery March 30 of three more homebuilts so as to have a stable
> of bents to lend out for recumbent events. One is a Delta trike with corraplast fairing. (will fit
> various sizes, including me) One is a tadpole trike (fits perfectly) One is a USS lever style
> steering LWB ( It may not adjust enough to fit me)
>
> Jay <--sized like an elf

 

[Jay]

>>> Gary Krause at [email protected] wrote: I'm 5' 7" with a 29 inch inseam and a 39.5 inch
>>> x-seam. I was just wondering what everyone else with short legs is riding?<snip> So what bents
>>> work for your short legs and why?

>> Jay <[email protected]> wrote in message Try being 5ft 2in Gary. :^( I go to recumbent events and
>> can barely ride anything. <snip summary of 6 bents soon> Jay <--sized like an elf

>Gary Krause at [email protected] wrote: I've been looking at trikes also. I have never ridden
>one and my local LBS doesn't carry them. I would have to make a 100 mile trip to ride one which,

Try it. As you can tell by three tadpoles and one delta - I like 'em. Trikes have their own
strengths and weaknesses. I describe it as between a custom recliner and a go-cart to newbies.

Generalities (with some exceptions): No need to balance- sit and ride. Heavier than two wheels. More
stable for loads. Hard to store. Hard to travel.

> I will probably do when the weather gets better. I'm currently digging my way out of the snow
> drifts from the blizzard we had yesterday. I'm in Cheyenne, Wyoming one hundred miles north of
> Denver, Colorado.

I live in southern Ontario, Canada. As a yearround transportational cyclist- I know snow.

> It's great that you can get bents custom made. I have thought about taking a welding class at the
> local community college and building my own. I might just do that.

Getting bikes/trikes custom built is harder than you think. I have buddies who are garage-builders,
but I am mostly a wannabe.

I am studying a beginner's level general course in welding at a nearby school. Oxy/acetaline
MIG and ARC

Bike building is a lot more than welding. You may want to also look at other groups/organizations
regarding bike building. I belong to the framebuilders list, HPV Builders on yahoo groups, a local
recumbent group, IHPVA (trikes, HPV, boats, workbikes)

Also consider the ihpva website (building resources), magazines like Recumbent Cyclist News, Bicycle
Design by Mike Burrows, Bicycles and Tricycles by A. Sharp, Bike Design by Whitt and Wilson,
>
> I laughed when you said "sized like an elf". My late wife use to refer to me as the "elf king"
> because, of my size and my personality. It brought back lots of fond memories. Thanks.
>
> It sounds like you will have quite a fleet of recumbents. I currently have two and I'm toying with
> the idea of a third. I keep asking myself, what am I going to do with three? Do I have room? Will
> I ride one more than the others? Will the others be jealous?:-0

I live in an apartment. I also host recumbent events and wish to be generous in my ability to let
other people try a range of bents.

With recumbents, each style of steering, frame, drive train, seat, etc has their own personality and
specialized areas that they are good for- much as people do with careers. Is one better than
another? DEPENDS. What do YOU want it for? (touring, speed, snow, hauling loads, comfort,etc) What
do YOU need? (arthritis, balance problems, stroke, etc) What can you afford?

Spend time with bent people and at bent events to get as much info as you can. Mostly ride as many
bents as you can and for as long as you can. I prefer to let people ride for at least 20 min, but an
hour or more is better. Let's someone get past "this different and a bit weird" to what I consider
to be real evaluation. The ideal would be days of riding on each style you are considering.

>
> You'll have to give us a ride report when you get your new bents. Some pictures would be nice too!

In the past: Do a google search for my name last August and you will see postings for the World
Championships and Trikefest. I also keep labelled photo albums of recumbent events that people love
to look through.

 

[Ian Levit]

I'm the exact same height with the exact same inseam, and I find riding my Burley Taiki (Canto) just
fine. I have no problem planting my feet on the ground.

Ian

"Gary Krause" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm 5' 7" with a 29 inch inseam and a 39.5 inch x-seam. I was just wondering what everyone else
> with short legs is riding? I currently have a V-Rex and a Burley Canto and I can't plant my feet
> flat on the ground on either bike. I'm considering getting a V2 because, it has a lower seat and I
> can place both feet flat on the ground. It sure is nice not having to worry about my feet slipping
> out from under me in gravel or sand. I've looked at just about all of the SWB's with small frames
> and even owned a small framed Vision R-40. But, the seats just aren't low enough. I've looked at
> the Status and V2 and I like the looks of the new Haluzak LWB.
>
> So what bents work for your short legs and why?
>
> Gary

 

[Don]

I am 5.3" with an Xseam of 36-37". Last night I test rode a S/M Lightning Phantom. My feet were
deliciously FLAT,FLAT, FLAT on the ground. The boom was getting dangerously close to maximum
insertion. Perhaps the main tube could be cut to allow the boom to be pulled in. I was riding 165
cranks and, like your friends, would like shorter cranks that would require pulling in the boom
even more.

The P-38 is allegedly 1" lower in the seat. Check out the Lightning model bikes for X-seam
requirements.

So far the only two bikes that have let me flat-foot have been the GRR and the Phantom.

Lightning charges an extra $220 for a small P-38 frame so I am going to boycott them and try for a
Giro. I refuse to patronize a company that discriminates for any reason including size. My LBS is
expecting a small Giro in a couple of weeks.

 

[Bethf]

Giro. fits perfect!

 

[Pieter Litchfie]

short frame TE. But there's not a lot of adjustment in the seat slide for shorter people.

"BethF" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
>
> Giro. fits perfect!

 

[Don]

I think all short riders should gang up on Lightning and demand that they sell the small P-38 at
the same price as the larger ones. There is no legitimate reason for the discrimination. Once a
welding jig is made for the small frames the amount of work is the same. Lightning already has the
welding jig.

Discriminatory pricing is also extremely bad marketing. I guess the Lightning reputation for not
caring what customers think is well deserved. If they hear enough complaints and lose enough sales
then maybe they will rethink their policy.

Taller riders in search of a worthy cause are welcome to join the protest/boycott. Afterwards we are
all going to Randy Newman's house and kick him in the shins until he is black-and-blue. Volunteers
needed to bring brownies and hot chocolate.

 

[Harv]

Watch out for Randy. He's liable to see you coming and drop the BIG ONE! "Don" <[email protected]>
wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> I think all short riders should gang up on Lightning and demand that they sell the small P-38 at
> the same price as the larger ones. There is no legitimate reason for the discrimination. Once a
> welding jig is made for the small frames the amount of work is the same. Lightning already has the
> welding jig.
>
> Discriminatory pricing is also extremely bad marketing. I guess the Lightning reputation for not
> caring what customers think is well deserved. If they hear enough complaints and lose enough sales
> then maybe they will rethink their policy.
>
> Taller riders in search of a worthy cause are welcome to join the protest/boycott. Afterwards we
> are all going to Randy Newman's house and kick him in the shins until he is black-and-blue.
> Volunteers needed to bring brownies and hot chocolate.

 

[Joshua Goldberg]

I thought Randy Newman died a few years ago...or was that Alfred J.? hmmm a boycott of Lightning
Recumbents by the wee little folk....it just might work. In this age with half the population trying
to appear politically correct and the other half are lining up to see buxom lesbian wrestlers
fighting in a pool of Jell-O, no company wants to be labelled as discriminatory against dwarfs. My
wife btw is a Dwarf at 63 1/2 inches tall. I read somewhere that to be a legal dwarf you had to be
under 64 inches....did wonder if there are illegal dwarfs or is it dwarves. Lightning could use the
free publicity, get a bunch of angry dwarves with picket signs marching up and down the street all
signing the Oompah song from ***** Wonka. You could make a mint touring America on daytime talkshows
and talking about how your people are being oppressed due to you being so dominutive and how your
natural habit is being destroyed by evil farmers who keep cutting down those big leafy vegetables
you sleep under.
----------------------------------------
"harv" <harv*no_spam*@spininternet.com> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> Watch out for Randy. He's liable to see you coming and drop the BIG ONE! "Don" <[email protected]>
> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> > I think all short riders should gang up on Lightning and demand that they sell the small P-38 at
> > the same price as the larger ones. There is no legitimate reason for the discrimination. Once a
> > welding jig is made for the small frames the amount of work is the same. Lightning already has
> > the welding jig.
> >
> > Discriminatory pricing is also extremely bad marketing. I guess the Lightning reputation for not
> > caring what customers think is well deserved. If they hear enough complaints and lose enough
> > sales then maybe they will rethink their policy.
> >
> > Taller riders in search of a worthy cause are welcome to join the protest/boycott. Afterwards we
> > are all going to Randy Newman's house and kick him in the shins until he is black-and-blue.
> > Volunteers needed to bring brownies and hot chocolate.

 

[Joshua Goldberg]

2nd line from the end should be natural habitat not natural habit grrrrr
-------------------------
"Joshua Goldberg" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I thought Randy Newman died a few years ago...or was that Alfred J.? hmmm a boycott of Lightning
> Recumbents by the wee little folk....it just might work. In this age with half the population
> trying to appear politically correct and the other half are lining up to see buxom lesbian
> wrestlers fighting in a pool of Jell-O, no company wants to be labelled as discriminatory against
> dwarfs. My wife btw is a Dwarf at 63 1/2 inches tall. I read somewhere that to be
a
> legal dwarf you had to be under 64 inches....did wonder if there are
illegal
> dwarfs or is it dwarves. Lightning could use the free publicity, get a bunch of angry dwarves with
> picket signs marching up and down the street all signing the Oompah song from ***** Wonka. You
> could make a mint touring America on daytime
talkshows
> and talking about how your people are being oppressed due to you being so dominutive and how your
> natural habit is being destroyed by evil farmers
who
> keep cutting down those big leafy vegetables you sleep under.
> ----------------------------------------
> "harv" <harv*no_spam*@spininternet.com> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Watch out for Randy. He's liable to see you coming and drop the BIG ONE! "Don"
> > <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> > > I think all short riders should gang up on Lightning and demand that they sell the small P-38
> > > at the same price as the larger ones. There is no legitimate reason for the discrimination.
> > > Once a welding jig is made for the small frames the amount of work is the same. Lightning
> > > already has the welding jig.
> > >
> > > Discriminatory pricing is also extremely bad marketing. I guess the Lightning reputation for
> > > not caring what customers think is well deserved. If they hear enough complaints and lose
> > > enough sales then maybe they will rethink their policy.
> > >
> > > Taller riders in search of a worthy cause are welcome to join the protest/boycott. Afterwards
> > > we are all going to Randy Newman's house and kick him in the shins until he is black-and-blue.
> > > Volunteers needed to bring brownies and hot chocolate.
> >
>

 

[John Riley]

"Joshua Goldberg" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> I thought Randy Newman died a few years ago...
[...]
> > "Don" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> > > I think all short riders should gang up on Lightning and demand that they sell the small P-38
> > > at the same price as the larger ones. There is no legitimate reason for the discrimination.
> > > Once a welding jig is made for the small frames the amount of work is the same. Lightning
> > > already has the welding jig.
[...] Another Joshua subject change... I have no idea where this thread started...

Anyway, most builders tend to do stuff in batches; cut a bunch of tubes in a batch, do this set of
joints in a batch, then that set... It probably is not worth it to do a batch of small frames. There
probably isn't that much demand. So it probably _does_ cost more to do small frames.

FWIW Vision has a small SWB:

http://www.visionrecumbents.com/BikesR40SmallFrame.html

But really, I think a LWB, possibly one designed for a child, would work best for the truely short
because you can get the seat and BB lower.

Randy Newman is alive and reasonably well and still writing music for the movies, AFAIK.

John Riley

 

[Joshua Goldberg]

> Another Joshua subject change... I have no idea where this thread started... John Riley
I think the subject line was originally Short bentriders-not Dwarf and the person was Harv

 

[Carol Cohen]

The plural is "dwarfs" in ordinary English but "dwarves" if you are
J.R.R.Tolkien.

J.S.

> From: "Joshua Goldberg" <[email protected]> Organization: Bell Sympatico Newsgroups:
> alt.rec.bicycles.recumbent Date: Mon, 21 Apr 2003 14:32:08 -0400 Subject: Re: Dwarf
> bentriders-What do you ride?
>
>> Another Joshua subject change... I have no idea where this thread started... John Riley
> I think the subject line was originally Short bentriders-not Dwarf and the person was Harv