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Recumbent bicycles
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25-11-2020 11:48am#1
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This is me...
The trike is very easy to cycle uphill, albeit a little slower than a DF bike. But, I find I’m as fast, if not faster than a lot of roadies on the flat and down hill. Personally, I would never go back to a ‘normal’ bike. On the visibility front, I’ve found that drivers will give me a lot more room than they ever did when I was on the bike. I use a big hi-vis flag when I’m out on the road, as well as the usual lights.
The trike is not as wide as you would think. Mine is on the wider side and is only 80cm edge to edge of the front wheels. It also has a flat folding system where by the rear wheel folds flat between the front wheels for easy transport and storage.
Feel free to ask any questions, and if you’re ever down Waterford way, you’re more than welcome to come have a look and a test ride. Already had one Boardsie from this forum come and try it out.
magicbastarder wrote: »i'd love to try one, but they seem very expensive.
someone posted a pic of theirs recently in the 'photos taken on your cycle' thread.
https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=114948891&postcount=6013
https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=114953304&postcount=60190 -
This is me...
The trike is very easy to cycle uphill, albeit a little slower than a DF bike. But, I find I’m as fast, if not faster than a lot of roadies on the flat and down hill. Personally, I would never go back to a ‘normal’ bike. On the visibility front, I’ve found that drivers will give me a lot more room than they ever did when I was on the bike. I use a big hi-vis flag when I’m out on the road, as well as the usual lights.
The trike is not as wide as you would think. Mine is on the wider side and is only 80cm edge to edge of the front wheels. It also has a flat folding system where by the rear wheel folds flat between the front wheels for easy transport and storage.
Feel free to ask any questions, and if you’re ever down Waterford way, you’re more than welcome to come have a look and a test ride. Already had one Boardsie from this forum come and try it out.
I am also in Waterford!
I do find sometimes the being lower is a problem at roundabouts with cars and pedestrians etc. But I have fitted an air horn to the bike and that seems to do the job...0 -
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I saw a fared recumbent at an event in the UK years ago and thought it was the coolest thing on the road. Later, when I found my hands getting numb after long rides on my upright bikes, I decided I should go recumbent. From all I'd seen and heard, the bikes from https://en.velomobiel.nl/ were the ones to choose between. I bought a Quest online without ever trying it out, or even talking to an owner. I know, dear reader, you may be thinking I had more money than sense, but I can confirm that having bought it, I now have more sense than money! It has been brilliant in lots of ways.
I agree with most of what's been said in the thread already, even where the OP says 'they look ridiculous'. However, one man's ridiculous is a proud owner's coolest on the road. To my shock, it turns out I'm something of an exhibitionist, so it is perfect for me.
As a rider, the first benefit I noticed was a complete lack of snot. Previously I'd left a trail from one end of the country to the other. That's now in my past. As is the cold; two or three layers is enough for even the coldest day. But beware, those once-handy-pockets, at the back of a cycling jersey, become a nuisance in your armchair ride. And you can change out of those 'ridiculous' cycling shorts with their padding in the wrong place.
Seated weight is distributed over a much greater area, hence it is many, many times, more comfortable, esp if you are out all day. Riding through the night, just pull into the nearest gateway, unclip from the pedals and you are in the perfect snoozing or dining position. While it can get really warm in hot sun on long climbs - and every climb is a long one for me - I've never passed out.
The brochures say that cyclists cruise about 30 kmh on a diamond frame and about 40 on a fared 'bent, which seems about right. Fairing minimises wind resistance; you're four times more aero efficient, so the sky - and courage - is the limit on descents. Long flattish events are easier and faster. I felt pretty nifty on The Connacht SR series, a 200, 300, 400 and 600 km over six days. Climbier events like the Mick Byrne 200 km are just about manageable. I'd like another crack at long hilly events like LEL (1400 km) and PBP (1200 km) where I've failed. There was a painfully slow End to End this year which I've been trying to forget. Though, it may have been a record time - for a faired recumbent. Low down, headwinds are hardly an issue, and even howling side winds tend to be more fun than danger.
There's lots of storage room. The bike seems to have better braking and is a lot more stable with its two front wheels. Again, sitting so low, it is easy to hit potholes or small debris, and the fairing extending over the front wheels make sharp turns impractical. It's never a problem on roads, but for sharpies, or missed turns, dismount, pick up the 30 kilos and face it round.
You can repair punctures without undoing wheels because they are like a car. Just tip the bike on its side on some grass. I ride a triple so there's plenty of gears. Change the drive every few hundred thousand kilometres - apparently because grit doesn't get on the chain. It won't fit in the local bike shop, so I get the nice man to call around once or twice a year. I've He's changed the drum brakes at about 80k km. It is really easy to get caught in the wrong gear, so you've to get out an push. Don't make the terminal mistake of changing gears while you pedal backways. :mad:
The bike gets stopped so often (nine times on an 80 km ride) by the guards, it totally wishes they a) got a life or b) weren't bored to tears at night. Overheard phone conversation near Maam Cross after midnight last summer "Superintendent, you'll have to come out here yourself. Jaysus, it is very hard to describe. It looks like a submarine, but he says it's a bike". Safe to say that Garda, though he couldn't have been nicer, came from neither a seafaring nor cycling tradition. Super drove out from the station in Clifden, bless her little soul. FFS everyone knows submarines is yellow :rolleyes:
Whilst people will tell you, even though they've scarcely seen a 'bent much less ridden one, that they are very dangerous, I find it works out a lot better for me. A fraction of the near misses. By the way, the fairing is carbon fibre, and would perform like an eggshell in a crash. An odd person will hurl abuse, but every road user meets odd people. Motorists give me far more room, are way more considerate and people generally are a great deal friendlier. Other cyclists? Well, who cares what cyclists think
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It doesn't fit in the 'bike shed' and I'd have to take it apart to get it into the kitchen, so it is stowed outdoors. Fits neatly in my VW Crafter when I can't start from home. With a little help, it could work on a car roof rack. In these respects, it is not at all handy.
As I pedal, my natural position is head up, so I see more and interact more with other road users and onlookers. The cockpit 'rumbles', so conversation is minimal. Children and smartphone photographers are among the groups that love to see it.
I got a racehood last year to keep the rain off and be even more stable at high speed. Looking ever-more ridiculous, or cooler, depending on your standpoint. I still take the upright bikes out but they're not as much fun. I'm told they retain their value second-hand. Best investment ever, even if I also got a lot of fun riding upright. It was just right for me, but I can see it mightn't work for all.0 -
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It’s very common vernacular in the bent community...magicbastarder wrote: »that's a slightly unfortunate contraction!0
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