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From: gerryg@laidbak.UUCP (Gerry Gleason)
Newsgroups: net.bicycle
Subject: Re: Recumbents
Message-ID: <732@laidbak.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 19-Mar-86 10:57:18 EST
Article-I.D.: laidbak.732
Posted: Wed Mar 19 10:57:18 1986
Date-Received: Fri, 21-Mar-86 06:52:39 EST
References: <1744@decwrl.DEC.COM>
Reply-To: gerryg@laidbak.UUCP (Gerry Gleason)
Organization: LAI Chicago
Lines: 26

The recumbent bicycle has a number of things to recomend it, lower wind
resistence, more comfortable riding position, less exposure to head injuries,
but there are also a number of drawbacks.  The most serious is the lack of
visibility; you can't see over most cars, and they can't see you as well.

I have experience with a cheap recumbent that a friend and I build
(it was called a Hypercycle).  It was fun to play around on, but the
frame flexed so much that it wasn't very efficient, and the seat back
was rigidly attached to the frame, so it directly transmitted bumps
to the middle of your back.  I would guess that frame flex is a problem
on recumbents with the pedals in front on the wheel.  I havn't ridden
one with the wheel in front, but they have the disadvantage of being
difficult to maneuver in and out of your appartment/house etc.
Maneuverability on the road is also a problem, the tightest circle
we could do on the Hypercycle was almost 20 feet across, and its got
to be worse with a longer wheelbase. (compare this to a 5 or 6 foot
circle on a normal bike).

Don't get me wrong, I think the recumbent has potential, but the standard
bicycle has been refined over a long period of time and there are many
manufactures.  Consequently, a recumbent will cost more than an equivalent
upright bicycle, and you will be an experiementer.  Someday I'll probably
get the bug to experiment and get another recumbent.  I'd be interested
in hearing of about other recumbent experiences.

Gerry