Re: Advice for recumbant bike

[paul]

Due to age and Prostate surgery I find that I cannot ride a standard bike
comfortably. I want the exercise and a recumbant bike was suggested,
however, I know very little about them. I would appreciate any suggestions
and comments about brands and availability. I currently live in Florida, no
hills and mostly paved roads, although some sand to contend with.
TIA,
Paul

[Phil Brown]

You can start at alt.rec.bicycles.recumbent
Phil Brown

[Tom Sherman]

paul wrote:

> Due to age and Prostate surgery I find that I cannot ride a standard bike
> comfortably. I want the exercise and a recumbant bike was suggested,
> however, I know very little about them. I would appreciate any suggestions
> and comments about brands and availability. I currently live in Florida, no
> hills and mostly paved roads, although some sand to contend with.
> TIA,
> Paul

Paul,

You would have better results searching for information if you spell it
as "recumbent".

This may not be the best forum to ask questions in, since there are very
few recumbent riders among the regulars, and one of them has a perverse
fascination with a couple of very rare, out of production models from an
out of business manufacturer (I will be polite and not mention names).
There is a Usenet forum dedicated to recumbent bicycles
<alt.rec.bicycles.recumbent>.

My first suggestion is to find a place that rents recumbents by the
week, so you will have a chance to adjust to recumbent balancing and
steering which is quite different [1] than that of a conventional
upright bicycle. Test rides will be much more meaningful once you gain
some familiarity with recumbent riding.

The variety of available recumbent designs is much greater than that of
uprights, despite being approximately 1% or less of the quality bicycle
market in the US. Rather than suggesting a particular model of
recumbent, I suggest that you find a specialist recumbent dealer that
has a good selection of recumbents in stock and the ability to set them
up properly for you on test rides (there are several recumbent shops in
Florida with good reputations).

[1] But no more difficult, in my experience.

--
Tom Sherman – Quad City Area

[LGF]

paul > wrote in message >...
> Due to age and Prostate surgery I find that I cannot ride a standard bike
> comfortably. I want the exercise and a recumbant bike was suggested,
> however, I know very little about them. I would appreciate any suggestions
> and comments about brands and availability. I currently live in Florida, no
> hills and mostly paved roads, although some sand to contend with.
> TIA,
> Paul

I went to a specialist recumbent dealer who insisted I try out his
full range of bikes/trikes etc. I must have ridden over 20! Some are
great fun, many are rubbish, most are impractical. One thing for sure,
if you do go over to the dark-side, it will become a thoroughly
absorbing obsession, and you will become a bore.

I particularly like the Optima Baron and the Challenge Taifun. Beware
that you cannot actually turn the front wheel on many lowracers, they
have little load-carrying ability and motorists tend to either give
you plenty of room or not see you at all!

For speed, comfort, practicality and fun, I recommend a trike!

http://www.windcheetah.co.uk/

LGF

[Jeff Potter]

paul > wrote in message >...
> Due to age and Prostate surgery I find that I cannot ride a standard bike
> comfortably. I want the exercise and a recumbant bike was suggested,
> however, I know very little about them. I would appreciate any suggestions
> and comments about brands and availability. I currently live in Florida, no
> hills and mostly paved roads, although some sand to contend with.
> TIA,
> Paul

Http://www.recumbents.com is a great resource website with a national
(but incomplete) list of dealers, showing several shops that carry
LOTS of 'bents in FL. It's also a great info website in general.

If you don't like reading webpages...you could always buy a copy of a
book I publish, the only one on recumbents, called "The Recumbent
Bicycle"---check it out at http://outyourbackdoor.com (or Amazon). It
also has a dealer list plus all the rest about 'bents.

Tom Sherman already gave a fine answer but I'd like to emphasize a
couple things differently: I think that if you find a shop with a lot
of models and a good testing loop that you could pick a good 'bent for
you in an afternoon. But it is hugely recommended that you do this
testing. And pick a shop with lots of models and agreat loop! These
are the most impt things in 'bent buying. Tom said 'bent handling is
different but not harder. I would agree. Actually, I would say it's
not really different. A bike is a bike. They're more alike than they
are different, at least in the sense that there's no cause for
intimidation. The stability factors are basically the same. You get
on, you ride away...YOU GRIN. Give yourself a whole afternoon to test
these things. It's like going to the circus, a very fun time. Then buy
the bike from the dealer whose bikes you test (the most). An afternoon
of test-riding a dozen 'bents for the first time ever is an experience
worth paying for in itself. It's just great fun! It's also worth a
sizeable drive. 'Bents are becoming so popular now that most high-end
full service shops will carry a line or two. You may find one that
suits you fine nearby. 'Bents are so well-made today that you can't
really go wrong---but you will probably be partial to a certain style.
Still, I suggest trying at least several models to get a feel for the
range of ride qualities. Enjoy! --JP

[David Johnson]

On Thu, 03 Jun 2004 22:57:23 +0000, paul wrote:

> Due to age and Prostate surgery I find that I cannot ride a standard bike
> comfortably. I want the exercise and a recumbant bike was suggested,
> however, I know very little about them. I would appreciate any suggestions
> and comments about brands and availability. I currently live in Florida, no
> hills and mostly paved roads, although some sand to contend with.
> TIA,
> Paul

Look closely at the EZ-1 and EZ-sport. Designed by EZ Racers, built by
Sunn in Taiwan (I think), and available or can be ordered by most bike
stores. The cheaper model has straight square tubing, the more
expensive one has round curved cruiser-style tubing, a smaller back
wheel, and is lighter and sits lower to the ground. Both are very
comfortable. Based on a few hours riding them, I'd take either over a
bike-E, Linear or the 1979 Nashbar I had for a few years. Parts are
nothing exciting, but not completely crap either.

[Tom Sherman]

David Johnson wrote:

> Look closely at the EZ-1 and EZ-sport. Designed by EZ Racers, built by
> Sunn in Taiwan (I think), and available or can be ordered by most bike
> stores. The cheaper model has straight square tubing, the more
> expensive one has round curved cruiser-style tubing, a smaller back
> wheel, and is lighter and sits lower to the ground. Both are very
> comfortable. Based on a few hours riding them, I'd take either over a
> bike-E, Linear or the 1979 Nashbar I had for a few years. Parts are
> nothing exciting, but not completely crap either.

A few minor corrections and comments. The EZ-1 and EZ-Sport are built by
Sun in Taiwan, and imported to the US by Sun's parent company, J&B
Importers [1]. They are designed by Gardner Martin of Easy Racers [2].
Any bicycle shop with a J&B account (almost all US shops) can order the
bike for you.

As a point of comparison, the "Nashbar" (probably an Infinity) and
Linear designs are far from the state of the art, and the BikeE design
has its limitations. That being said, the EZ bikes from Sun are well
designed and are a very good value for the money (compared to production
recumbents as a whole).

I am partial to the RANS designs [3], and would recommend considering
the Rocket, Tailwind, and Velocity Squared.

[1] <http://www.jbimporters.com/>
[2] <http://www.easyracers.com/>
[3] <http://www.ransbikes.com/>

--
Tom Sherman – Quad City Area

[David Johnson]

On Fri, 04 Jun 2004 19:19:25 -0500, Tom Sherman wrote:

> A few minor corrections and comments. The EZ-1 and EZ-Sport are built by
> Sun in Taiwan, and imported to the US by Sun's parent company, J&B
> Importers [1]. They are designed by Gardner Martin of Easy Racers [2].
> Any bicycle shop with a J&B account (almost all US shops) can order the
> bike for you.

I know I've seen a bike with a 2-N Sunn badge, but I won't swear it's the
EZ.

> As a point of comparison, the "Nashbar" (probably an
Infinity) and

From what I found out, Nashbar sold at least 2 recumbents in the late
70's/early 80's. Mine was the first of these designs, built in 1979. I
talked to someone associated with Infinity, and he said that they weren't
related. There are some significant differences--The Nashbar has a fixed
seat, brazed to the frame (and more annoyingly with a fixed seat angle)
and the bottom bracket is clamped on and moves to adjust for different
riders.

> Linear designs are far from the state of the art, and the BikeE design
> has its limitations. That being said, the EZ bikes from Sun are well
> designed and are a very good value for the money (compared to production
> recumbents as a whole).
>
My main point was that even though the EZ's are the cheapest recumbents
that I'm aware of, they are better than several that cost a good bit more.

[Qui si parla Campagnolo]

Jeff-<< It's like going to the circus >><BR><BR>

You can say that twice, twice.

Jeff<< 'Bents are becoming so popular now that most high-end
full service shops will carry a line or two. >><BR><BR>

Really? Where? Name three cities where this is true.

Not here in Boulder, the home of many 'high end shops'.

Jeff-<< I suggest trying at least several models to get a feel for the
range of ride qualities >><BR><BR>

So I guess they aren't 'just a bike' then, with huge differences in seating,
steering, wheels sizes, drivetrain, etc.

If ya 'need' a 'bent, great but a replacement or improvement on a double
triangle upright it is not.
Ya really ought to mention the shortcomings of these as well. Like ablity to
ride and drink, the ability to carry water(no camelbacks), the diffuculty of
seeing behind you w/o a rear view mirror, the lack of some parts, like small
tubes and tires, etc.
Hopefully the dealer will point out these things.
They may work for you but are not a panacea for those nasty things called
'uprights'. I have ridden many, inncluding a 'bent tandem and I wasn't
'grinning'.

Peter Chisholm
Vecchio's Bicicletteria
1833 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535
http://www.vecchios.com
"Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

[Tom Sherman]

Qui si parla Campagnolo wrote:

> ... If ya 'need' a 'bent, great but a replacement or improvement on a double
> triangle upright it is not.
> Ya really ought to mention the shortcomings of these as well. Like ablity to
> ride and drink, the ability to carry water(no camelbacks), the diffuculty of
> seeing behind you w/o a rear view mirror, the lack of some parts, like small
> tubes and tires, etc....

Well, I have ridden thousands of miles on recumbents, and I have drunk
from water bottles while riding thousands of times. I have also carried
a Camelbak on most of those rides.

Riding in traffic with a mirror on a recumbent is very similar to using
a mirror on a motor vehicle - hundreds of millions of people do it
successfully every day.

The are plenty of high pressure road tires in all the sizes commonly
used by recumbents (and upright folders).

I have no idea where Mr. Chisholm gets some of these false ideas about
recumbents (a subject he obviously knows very little about) other than
creating them out of prejudice.

--
Tom Sherman – Quad City Area

[Qui si parla Campagnolo]

Tom-<< Well, I have ridden thousands of miles on recumbents, and I have drunk
from water bottles while riding thousands of times. I have also carried
a Camelbak on most of those rides. >><BR><BR>

I guess I don't see how you sit on a 'seat, with a back and also have a
Camelback.

MY point, is that 'bents are a different way to do the same thing. Use a human
powered vehicle to get from here to there. They have disadvantages and
problems, 'goods and others', just like an upright.

MY point is that some view 'bents' as the 'no problem, easy to find, ride and
fix' solution to all the ills of an upright, as if an upright is some sort of
evil, uncomfortable thing that MUST be vanquished.

Mr Potter's comments, such as 'grinning' when you test ride speaks volumes
about HIS and apparently your prejudice.Namely the equation of 'bents=fun',
uprights= pain and suffering.

Just tell the whole story. 'Bents work for some but so do uprights. 'Bents are
not growing in numbers to the extent Jeff would like you to believe. There are
no 'bent dealers here in Boulder. Maybe only one in Denver.

Peter Chisholm
Vecchio's Bicicletteria
1833 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535
http://www.vecchios.com
"Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

[Tom Sherman]

Qui si parla Campagnolo wrote:

> Tom-<< Well, I have ridden thousands of miles on recumbents, and I have drunk
> from water bottles while riding thousands of times. I have also carried
> a Camelbak on most of those rides. >><BR><BR>
>
> I guess I don't see how you sit on a 'seat, with a back and also have a
> Camelback.

Peter,

There are two options: fasten the Camelbak to the back of the seat or
wear it backwards. These would seem to be pretty obvious - why make an
ignorant statement about something that you obviously have little to
knowledge about unless it is out of anti-recumbent prejudice? The same
is true about drinking water while riding. There are a few poor handling
recumbents that are too unstable to easily ride with just one hand, but
then the same is true of some poorly handling uprights. The existence of
a few inferior designs does not condemn the category as a whole.

> MY point, is that 'bents are a different way to do the same thing. Use a human
> powered vehicle to get from here to there. They have disadvantages and
> problems, 'goods and others', just like an upright.
>
> MY point is that some view 'bents' as the 'no problem, easy to find, ride and
> fix' solution to all the ills of an upright, as if an upright is some sort of
> evil, uncomfortable thing that MUST be vanquished.

For a person that has had prostate surgery (such as the original
poster), riding an upright bicycle may no longer be an option. Would you
discourage him from riding a recumbent, so he gives up cycling altogether?

> Mr Potter's comments, such as 'grinning' when you test ride speaks volumes
> about HIS and apparently your prejudice.Namely the equation of 'bents=fun',
> uprights= pain and suffering.
>
> Just tell the whole story. 'Bents work for some but so do uprights. 'Bents are
> not growing in numbers to the extent Jeff would like you to believe. There are
> no 'bent dealers here in Boulder. Maybe only one in Denver.

There are at least 5 recumbent bicycle dealers in Colorado: Angletech in
Woodland Park, Best Of Bents in Arvada, High Gear Cyclery in Longmont,
Recumbent Brothers Cycles in Peyton, and Spring Creek Recumbent Bicycle
in Fort Collins. Why make the statement that there may possibly be one
dealer in Denver, and imply that there are no others when you do not
know that to be the case?

It is certainly your privilege to dislike recumbent bicycles, and to not
sell or service them if you so choose. It is also your privilege to
express your dislike of recumbents. But you should refrain from
presenting opinion and ignorant assumptions as fact.

--
Tom Sherman – Quad City Area

[Jeff Wills]

(Qui si parla Campagnolo ) wrote in message >...
> Jeff-<< It's like going to the circus >><BR><BR>
>
> You can say that twice, twice.
>
> Jeff<< 'Bents are becoming so popular now that most high-end
> full service shops will carry a line or two. >><BR><BR>
>
> Really? Where? Name three cities where this is true.
>
> Not here in Boulder, the home of many 'high end shops'.
>

Really? None of the shops has an account with J&B Importers?

OK, granted they probably don't have a 'bent on the floor, which
limits the possibilities for a test ride. But any slightly
adventuresome shop could get anything in the Sun Bicycles line with
just a phone call.

Locally, I've seen recumbents in a high-end shop (River City Bicycles)
and a local chain (Bike Gallery) in addition to 5 recumbent lines in a
specialty shop (Coventry Bicycles). A quick search on
http://www.recumbents.com/dealers.asp found a recumbent specialist
within 25 miles of Boulder.

Pete, I'll agree that recumbents aren't the "be all and end all" of
bicycles. Hell, I've got two recumbents and four uprights- each with
its own "character". (One recumbent has mostly Campy Nuovo Record- I
use it for short, fast rides.)I'll use my Tour Easy for long rides (a
rainy, windy century yesterday), while I'll use the single-speed
upright beater for coffee-shop runs.

To the OP: if you're having problems with your prostrate, be careful
about which recumbent you select. The bikes with soft, cushy seats may
seem to be better, but the soft foam may push up into that sensitive
spot. Either firmer foam or a more laid-back seat might serve you
better. All the more reason to try a couple different recumbents.

FWIW: Hostel Shoppe ( http://www.hostelshoppe.com/ ) offers a
test-ride policy on their Volae bikes. Try out one for two weeks and
if it's not "right", return it and they'll refund the cost (including
shipping both ways), minus 5%.

Jeff Wills

[paul]

Many thanks to all who responded to my request! I won't become a bore, and
I promise to try to learn to spell properly as well. Thanks again, Paul

[Marc Rosenbaum]

I found last summer on some century rides that my tolerance for long
rides on my upright had diminished to the point that it wasn't fun. I
looked at recumbents to see if I could find a solution. I wanted
something fast and stable and short enough to fit in my car (Honda
Civic). I gravitated to the new breed of "high racers", now made by
RANS, Volae, and Bacchetta in the US. They use dual 650C or 26 inch
wheels. I bought a Volae Club due to the Hostel Shoppe's generous try
and return policy. It was an excellent and very high quality bike.
This spring I replaced it with a used Bacchetta Aero, the top of the
line Bacchetta, with a Ti frame, hard shell carbon fiber seat, carbon
fiber fork, etc.

There is a learning curve with these bikes. They use somewhat
different muscles, they don't make tight U turns, and they take some
practice at starting up, especially on a hill. I find that I am
somewhat slower up hills because I can't stand up. The previously
mentioned issues with mirrors and hydration are not at all a problem
for me.

The upside is that these bikes are comfy and fast. I replaced the
foam on the Aero with dual density foam from a Volae. I have ridden a
100 miler and was really beat at the end (May 1st is early for
centuries in NH!) but had no pain in the neck, butt, shoulders, or
wrists. My best century last year on the upright was 6:58 and the
century on the recumbent was 6:13, 4 months earlier in the season. My
average speed on any of my loops is higher. It's easy to see why -
substantially lower frontal area.

I have several uprights and still ride them on shorter rides. But as
I continue to age (I'll be 51 this summer) I expect that the longer
rides will be 'bent.

Bacchetta, Volae, and RANS also make bikes with lower BBs which I
expect are easier to learn to ride. Then of course there are the
medium and long wheelbase bents, none of which I've ridden.

By far the best resource I've found is www.bentrideronline.com.
a.r.b.r. is filled with off topic posts. BROL is lightly moderated
and has a much higher signal to noise ratio. Also, Yahoo Groups has a
Bacchetta bike group that is really excellent.

There are others who have made the switch due to prostate issues.

Good luck!

Marc Rosenbaum

[Qui si parla Campagnolo]

jwills-<< Really? None of the shops has an account with J&B Importers?
>><BR><BR>

'most high end shops will carry a line or two', was the quote. We have an
account with J&B but we don't carry the vast majority of what is in their
catalog. Calfee makes a 'bent, we don't sell those as well.

<jwills< But any slightly
adventuresome shop could get anything in the Sun Bicycles line with
just a phone call. >><BR><BR>


You bet but I think I have a pretty good feel for the bicycle market here in
Boulder, as I have been in it for the last 12 years and I don't see recumbents
selling here.

jwills-<< A quick search on
http://www.recumbents.com/dealers.asp found a recumbent specialist
within 25 miles of Boulder. >><BR><BR>

Who would that be?

Peter Chisholm
Vecchio's Bicicletteria
1833 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535
http://www.vecchios.com
"Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

[Qui si parla Campagnolo]

Tom-<< For a person that has had prostate surgery (such as the original
poster), riding an upright bicycle may no longer be an option. Would you
discourage him from riding a recumbent, so he gives up cycling altogether?
>><BR><BR>

Boy, I guess that sound is the point whizzing over your head. 'Bents are great
for some that cannot ride an upright. I think I said that more than once. BUT
they have disadvantages and problems, are NOT mainstream, and in most cases do
not offer a vastly superior solution to the percieved 'ills' of the upright, as
some imply.

Wear a camelback backwards, on your chest? You must be kidding.

Tom<< There are at least 5 recumbent bicycle dealers in Colorado: Angletech in
Woodland Park, Best Of Bents in Arvada, High Gear Cyclery in Longmont,
Recumbent Brothers Cycles in Peyton, and Spring Creek Recumbent Bicycle
in Fort Collins >><BR><BR>

So, like I said, none in Boulder, one in Denver.

Tom<< It is certainly your privilege to dislike recumbent bicycles, and to not
sell or service them if you so choose. >><BR><BR>


I DON'T dislike 'bents. I DISLIKE those that paint them with such a broad brush
that they are the solution to all the ills of the upright.

'test, test, test, am I getting out?'

Peter Chisholm
Vecchio's Bicicletteria
1833 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535
http://www.vecchios.com
"Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

[Mark South]

"Qui si parla Campagnolo " > wrote in message
...
>
> Wear a camelback backwards, on your chest? You must be kidding.

It would be kind of cool to see Fabrizio's head spinning around and around
though :-)
--
Mark South: World Citizen, Net Denizen

[Jeff Wills]

(Qui si parla Campagnolo ) wrote in message >...
<snip>
> jwills-<< A quick search on
> http://www.recumbents.com/dealers.asp found a recumbent specialist
> within 25 miles of Boulder. >><BR><BR>
>
> Who would that be?
>

No direct experience with these guys, but they've got a nice tag line:
"Bicycles for the Pedally Insane"

http://www.bestofbents.com/
Best of Bents
7580 Grant Pl.
Arvada, CO 80002
Phone: 303 463-8775

Recumbents: Rans, Haluzak, Vision, Easy Racer, Bacchetta, Longbikes,
HP Velotechnik, Hase, Trisled, Penninger, Organic Engines, BigCat,
Trice, Greenspeed, Vision, Lightfoot Cycles, BikeFriday, Draft Master,
ATOC,



> Peter Chisholm
> Vecchio's Bicicletteria
> 1833 Pearl St.
> Boulder, CO, 80302
> (303)440-3535
> http://www.vecchios.com
> "Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

[Jeff Wills]

(Qui si parla Campagnolo ) wrote in message >...
<snip>
> I DON'T dislike 'bents. I DISLIKE those that paint them with such a broad brush
> that they are the solution to all the ills of the upright.
>
> 'test, test, test, am I getting out?'
>

I read you. And I agree. I've ridden recumbents for 14 years (along
with being "involved" since 1979) and they're *not* the cure for
mankind's ills.

It does seem, though, that the newly converted are annoyingly
evangelical. I was like that, but then I found that I was simply
annoying. I'd rather ride.

Jeff

[rocketman58]

> So I guess they aren't 'just a bike' then, with huge differences in seating, steering, wheels sizes, drivetrain, etc.

Yes recumbents differ from model to model. You know just like diamond
frame bikes: road, cross, downhill, coss-country, time trial, BMX....
>
> If ya 'need' a 'bent, great but a replacement or improvement on a double
> triangle upright it is not.

While this may be your personal experience, a replacement for a
"double triangle upright" is just what a recumbent is for the vast
majority of recumbent riders.

> Ya really ought to mention the shortcomings of these as well...

You mean like: numb crotch, numb hands, sore neck and back. The
ability to fly over the handlebars in a crash... oh wait, that's for
diamond frame bikes.

> Like ablity to ride and drink, the ability to carry water(no camelbacks)...

Unless you need two hands to drink, I can't see a problem here. Most
recumbent riders I know use camelbacks mounted on thier seats.

>...the diffuculty of seeing behind you w/o a rear view mirror...

Yes, this is often true. But wearing a mirror on my helmet never
thretened my manhood. It lets me keep track of traffic and keep an
eye on my kids when I haul them around

>... the lack of some parts, like small tubes and tires, etc...

There are so many sources available on the web, this is no longer a
problem. I always keep a few spare parts around he garage for my MTB
etc..

> ... They may work for you but are not a panacea for those nasty things called
> 'uprights'. I have ridden many, inncluding a 'bent tandem and I wasn't
> 'grinning'.

It is evident you do not care for recumbents. Myself, I do not own
one. I can only afford one bike right now, and my passion since 1979
has been Mountainbikes. However, I plan to own one someday. I often
visit a number of recumbent dealers to go for test rides. I always
leave with a grim on my face.

For the original poster, living in florida, a recumbent is perfect.

[Qui si parla Campagnolo]

artistic-<< You mean like: numb crotch, numb hands, sore neck and back. The
ability to fly over the handlebars in a crash... oh wait, that's for
diamond frame bikes. >><BR><BR>

Like so many 'bent riders, you paint an upright as a painful machine that never
does anything well. I don't have sore, numb crotches, hands, neck, back. I do
not fly over the handlebars in crashes...

Upright does not equal painful.

Like I have said, if they work for you, better than an upright, ride one. But
they are not a panacea for all the perceived ills of an upright. If they were
they WOULD be more mainstrewam, and they are not, will not be.

As for non standardization. A ROAD 'bent can have a variety of steering,
drivetrains, wheelsizes. An upright ROAD bike does not.

artistic<< Yes, this is often true. But wearing a mirror on my helmet never
thretened my manhood. It lets me keep track of traffic and keep an
eye on my kids when I haul them around >><BR><BR>

I never mentioned anything about yer friggin manhood sport. I mentioned that a
'bent is not as easy to see behind as an upright'. The other guy about
'evangelical feelings' about these things applies to you as well.


artisitic<< There are so many sources available on the web, this is no longer a
problem. I always keep a few spare parts around he garage for my MTB
etc.. >><BR><BR>

make sure you carry your laptop when you ride then, in case you tear your 20 in
road tire and need a replacement...cuz there aren't any in 90%+ of the bike
shops around anywhere. Or maybe just do laps around your favorite bent bike
shop, with your camel'front' on your chest.


Peter Chisholm
Vecchio's Bicicletteria
1833 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535
http://www.vecchios.com
"Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

[rocketman58]

(Qui si parla Campagnolo ) wrote in message >...
> artistic-<< You mean like: numb crotch, numb hands, sore neck and back. The
> ability to fly over the handlebars in a crash... oh wait, that's for
> diamond frame bikes. >><BR><BR>
>
> Like so many 'bent riders, you paint an upright as a painful machine that never
> does anything well. I don't have sore, numb crotches, hands, neck, back. I do
> not fly over the handlebars in crashes...
>
> Upright does not equal painful.
>
> Like I have said, if they work for you, better than an upright, ride one. But
> they are not a panacea for all the perceived ills of an upright. If they were
> they WOULD be more mainstrewam, and they are not, will not be.
>
> As for non standardization. A ROAD 'bent can have a variety of steering,
> drivetrains, wheelsizes. An upright ROAD bike does not.
>
> artistic<< Yes, this is often true. But wearing a mirror on my helmet never
> thretened my manhood. It lets me keep track of traffic and keep an
> eye on my kids when I haul them around >><BR><BR>
>
> I never mentioned anything about yer friggin manhood sport. I mentioned that a
> 'bent is not as easy to see behind as an upright'. The other guy about
> 'evangelical feelings' about these things applies to you as well.
>
>
> artisitic<< There are so many sources available on the web, this is no longer a
> problem. I always keep a few spare parts around he garage for my MTB
> etc.. >><BR><BR>
>
> make sure you carry your laptop when you ride then, in case you tear your 20 in
> road tire and need a replacement...cuz there aren't any in 90%+ of the bike
> shops around anywhere. Or maybe just do laps around your favorite bent bike
> shop, with your camel'front' on your chest.
>
>
> Peter Chisholm
> Vecchio's Bicicletteria
> 1833 Pearl St.
> Boulder, CO, 80302
> (303)440-3535
> http://www.vecchios.com
> "Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

Hee Hee Hee, I knew I would get this type of response.
I don't even own a recumbent (as I stated), but...
I know a lot about certain types of cylists.

[Jeff Wills]

(Qui si parla Campagnolo ) wrote in message >...
> make sure you carry your laptop when you ride then, in case you tear your 20 in
> road tire and need a replacement...cuz there aren't any in 90%+ of the bike
> shops around anywhere. Or maybe just do laps around your favorite bent bike
> shop, with your camel'front' on your chest.
>

Geez, Pete, you're making this too easy. I've *never* had any trouble
getting spare tires within a day of destroying one. A phone call and
overnight shipping took care of everything- even 12 years ago, before
e-commerce was big. That includes several years riding on Moulton
(17") tires on the front of my old Lightning- they were somewhat
fragile and *far* more rare than 20" tires.

Hydration-bladder sleeves for various 'bent seats are available from a
couple vendors, notably FastBack: http://www.fastbacksystem.com/ .
*I*, for one, never understood why people would carry a backpack when
they're sitting on a nice structural frame.

Anything else?

Jeff

[Tom Sherman]

Jeff Wills wrote:

> (Qui si parla Campagnolo ) wrote in message >...
> <snip>
>
>>I DON'T dislike 'bents. I DISLIKE those that paint them with such a broad brush
>>that they are the solution to all the ills of the upright.
>>
>>'test, test, test, am I getting out?'
>>
>
>
> I read you. And I agree. I've ridden recumbents for 14 years (along
> with being "involved" since 1979) and they're *not* the cure for
> mankind's ills.
>
> It does seem, though, that the newly converted are annoyingly
> evangelical. I was like that, but then I found that I was simply
> annoying. I'd rather ride.

On the other hand, one receives many unsolicited negative comments from
upright riders when riding a recumbent.

--
Tom Sherman – Quad City Area

[Tom Sherman]

Qui si parla Campagnolo wrote:

> ...
> make sure you carry your laptop when you ride then, in case you tear your 20 in
> road tire and need a replacement...cuz there aren't any in 90%+ of the bike
> shops around anywhere. Or maybe just do laps around your favorite bent bike
> shop, with your camel'front' on your chest....

I can find serviceable ISO 305-mm and ISO 406-mm tires many places;
pretty much any hardware store, farm supply store, discount
merchandiser, etc. While these tires will not be of the lowest rolling
resistance (typically 40-60 psi with intermediate tread and a heavy
casing), they will get me to my destination. On the other hand, ISO
622-mm tires (700C) are only typically found in actual bicycle stores
that are much more spread out geographically. To get the same (or
better) emergency tire availability on an upright, it needs to use ISO
599-mm (MTB) size tires or the aforementioned ISO 305-mm and ISO 406-mm
sizes.

--
Tom Sherman – Quad City Area

[Qui si parla Campagnolo]

artistic-<< Hee Hee Hee, I knew I would get this type of response.
I don't even own a recumbent (as I stated), but...
I know a lot about certain types of cylists. >><BR><BR>

Tee Hee, So I guess you are just a blowin' smoke. Should have guessed. Do ya
even ride a bike at all? Of any kind?



Peter Chisholm
Vecchio's Bicicletteria
1833 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535
http://www.vecchios.com
"Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

[Qui si parla Campagnolo]

Okie Dokie, this my annual last tirade about 'bents for 2004, for Artistic,
JWills, Tom, Jeff.

Once more, if ya like recumbents, good for you, enjoy it.

BUT I have always thought of them mostly as the bicycle version of a
wheelchair, allowing somebody that cannot ride an upright to ride a self
propelled, two wheeled vehicle.

For somebody that rides a well fitting upright, that has no 'issues', then
'bents answer no question, solve no problem. Complicated answer to a pretty
simple question, in my opinion.

But if ya want one and ride one, groovey, go ride that thing and have fun.

Peter Chisholm
Vecchio's Bicicletteria
1833 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535
http://www.vecchios.com
"Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"