Recumbent bikes
Discussion
I fell off a ladder and fractured a vertebrae a week ago. While I am currently flat on my back, I've had a lot of time to think about things. Before the accident I was a reasonably keen but not terribly talented cyclist, not bad over short distances but short on stamina for the long stuff.
I've been dreaming of getting back ion the bike but it is obviously going to be a while. As it is my T12 vertebra I fractured I may find an aerodynamic riding position a struggle for s long time. Hence the thought about recumbent bikes! Got to be better for a man with a dodgy back. Does anyone have any experience? The low down position scares me slightly I have to say. Anyone know of anyone who offers short term hire so I could try before I buy....?
The other though I had was a tandem - the wife is a much better cyclist than me anyway!
Thoughts appreciated
I've been dreaming of getting back ion the bike but it is obviously going to be a while. As it is my T12 vertebra I fractured I may find an aerodynamic riding position a struggle for s long time. Hence the thought about recumbent bikes! Got to be better for a man with a dodgy back. Does anyone have any experience? The low down position scares me slightly I have to say. Anyone know of anyone who offers short term hire so I could try before I buy....?
The other though I had was a tandem - the wife is a much better cyclist than me anyway!
Thoughts appreciated
I had back issues from an old rugby issue and couldn't ride a "safety bicycle" :-) for more than 10minutes without hours of pain to follow, it transpired it was something to do with a weak core and stomach muscles in the end but...
In the gap while I was getting fit I bought a recumbent.
Firstly- "low down, invisible myth" You will never be More visible on a bike than on a Recumbent, they are sufficiently unusual and odd that drivers slow to look at you and (I assume they think you're disabled) so give you a wide-wide berth :-)
Speed- Frighteningly fast on descents and flats, the aero position makes regular 30mph cruise possible if you are fit. On big hills you needs good brakes, I could easily get mine over 60mph without much effort.
The downside is they typically weight more and climbing can be a slow, tedious process. Most use MTB gear sets and trust me- you need the granny ring!
There is alot on nonsense spoken about "not being able to stand on the pedals" you can in-fact put More grunt into the pedals on a 'bent as you can push back against the seat, so much so you need to be careful not to damage your knees!
Braking- this might surprise a normal bike cyclist but as 'bents have a rear weight bias you can haul on the brakes, even lock the front and stop quicker that you think, which is handy as you can get to scary speeds.
They are an acquired taste but I think all cyclists would enjoy at least trying recumbents for the novelty value, the first 50yards will be a bit alarming (rock the bars as you push off to help reset your mind to the different balance)
Although I now ride "normal" road and MTB I enjoyed my time riding recumbents and would like one day to try a Velomobile (fully enclosed aerodynamic tricycle recumbent) for touring.
In the gap while I was getting fit I bought a recumbent.
Firstly- "low down, invisible myth" You will never be More visible on a bike than on a Recumbent, they are sufficiently unusual and odd that drivers slow to look at you and (I assume they think you're disabled) so give you a wide-wide berth :-)
Speed- Frighteningly fast on descents and flats, the aero position makes regular 30mph cruise possible if you are fit. On big hills you needs good brakes, I could easily get mine over 60mph without much effort.
The downside is they typically weight more and climbing can be a slow, tedious process. Most use MTB gear sets and trust me- you need the granny ring!
There is alot on nonsense spoken about "not being able to stand on the pedals" you can in-fact put More grunt into the pedals on a 'bent as you can push back against the seat, so much so you need to be careful not to damage your knees!
Braking- this might surprise a normal bike cyclist but as 'bents have a rear weight bias you can haul on the brakes, even lock the front and stop quicker that you think, which is handy as you can get to scary speeds.
They are an acquired taste but I think all cyclists would enjoy at least trying recumbents for the novelty value, the first 50yards will be a bit alarming (rock the bars as you push off to help reset your mind to the different balance)
Although I now ride "normal" road and MTB I enjoyed my time riding recumbents and would like one day to try a Velomobile (fully enclosed aerodynamic tricycle recumbent) for touring.
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